The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of laser acupuncture (LA) and soft cupping on low back pain. In this study, the subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: active group (real LA and soft cupping) and placebo group (sham laser and soft cupping). Visual analog scale (VAS) and Ryodoraku were used to evaluate the effect of treatment on low back pain in this trial. Laser, 40 mW, wavelength 808 nm, pulse rate 20 Hz, was used to irradiate Weizhong (BL40) and Ashi acupoints for 10 minutes. And the Ryodoraku values were measured 2 times, that is, before and 15 minutes after treatment. The results show that there were significant difference between the first day baseline and the fifth day treatment in VAS in the two groups. Therefore, LA combined with soft cupping or only soft cupping was effective on low back pain. However, the Ryodoraku values of Bladder Meridian of the placebo group have been decreased apparently, and didn’t come back to their original values. It means that “cupping” plays the role of “leak or purge” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). On the other hand, the Ryodoraku values of Bladder Meridian of the active group have been turned back to almost their original values; “mend or reinforcing” effect is attributed to the laser radiation.

Objectives. Chronic nonspecific lower back pain (LBP) is a common disease. Insufficient data is currently available to conclusively confirm the analgesic effects of laser acupuncture on LBP. This study evaluated the effectiveness of laser acupuncture plus Chinese cupping in LBP treatment. Methods. Patients with chronic nonspecific LBP were enrolled for a randomized controlled trial and assigned to the laser acupuncture group (laser acupuncture plus Chinese cupping) and control group (sham laser plus Chinese cupping). Laser acupuncture (808 nm; 40 mW; 20 Hz; 15 J/cm²) and Chinese cupping were applied on the Weizhong (BL40) and Ashi acupoints for 5 consecutive days. Plasma cortisol levels were assessed before and after the 5‐day treatment session. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores were recorded at baseline and throughout the 5‐day treatment session. Results. After the treatment session, the plasma cortisol levels and VAS scores decreased significantly in both groups. In the laser acupuncture group, the VAS scores decreased significantly on days 4 and 5, and an enhanced reduction in VAS scores was observed. Conclusion. Laser acupuncture plus Chinese cupping at the Weizhong (BL40) and Ashi acupoints effectively reduced pain and inflammation in chronic nonspecific LBP. This therapy could be a suitable option for LBP treatment in clinical settings.

Objectives. Evidence for the effects of acupuncture on delayed‐onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is inconsistent. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of acupuncture on DOMS. Methods. Studies investigating the effect of acupuncture on DOMS in humans that were published before March 2020 were obtained from eight electronic databases. The affected muscles, groups, acupuncture points, treatment sessions, assessments, assessment times, and outcomes of the included articles were reviewed. The data were extracted and analyzed via a meta‐analysis. Results. A total of 15 articles were included, and relief of DOMS‐related pain was the primary outcome. The statistical meta‐analysis showed that there were no significant differences between acupuncture and sham/control groups, except for acupuncture for DOMS on day 1 (total SMD = −0.62; 95% CI = −1.12∼0.11, P < 0.05) by comparing with control groups. Conclusion. Acupuncture for DOMS exhibited very‐small‐to‐small and small‐to‐moderate effects on pain relief for the sham and no acupuncture conditions, respectively. Evidence indicating the effects of acupuncture on DOMS was little because the outcome data during the follow‐up were insufficient to perform an effective meta‐analysis.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of laser acupuncture on improvement of recovery and muscle performance in delayed muscle soreness (DOMS) when applied before exercise. Methods. This randomized, blinded, and controlled study included healthy participants (n = 40) who were randomized into laser acupuncture and placebo groups. Laser acupuncture was applied to the Tianquan (PC2) and Chihtseh acupoints (LU5) at a dose of 36 J and energy density of 9.7 J/cm² before inducing DOMS. The placebo group received sham laser acupuncture with no laser output. Visual analog scale (VAS), proprioception, pressure pain threshold (PPT), arm circumference, and muscle strength were observed at the baseline and 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after induction of DOMS. Results. Significant changes in the VAS (F4, 43.96 = 31.47; p = 0.001), PPT (F4, 1.35 = 35.07; p = 0.001), normalized arm circumference (F4, 0.001 = 3.87; p = 0.005), and normalized muscle strength (F4, 0.31 = 24.99; p = 0.001) were observed within the groups over time (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). Normalized arm circumference was significantly different between the two groups at 48 and 72 h after induction of DOMS (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Photobiomodulation therapy on Tianquan (PC2) and Chihtseh acupoints (LU5) before the exercise did not significantly decrease DOMS and increase muscle performance. Laser acupuncture as a supplemental therapy seemed to have no effect on DOMS prevention.

Objectives. Our study investigated the effects of 830 nm light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) for postexercise delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods. In this randomized control study, healthy participants were randomized into LEDT and placebo groups. LEDT (output frequency = 10 Hz; wavelength = 830 nm; total output power = 210 mW; and dose = 315 J/cm²) was applied to six sites in the damaged quadriceps for 10 min. The placebo group received sham LEDT with no energy output. The nondominant leg was chosen for DOMS induction, using an eccentric exercise. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for muscle soreness, pressure pain threshold (PPT), thigh circumference, joint range of motion, and muscle strength were assessed before and immediately after exercise and at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h postexercise. Results. Forty participants were divided into the LEDT group (n = 20) and the placebo group (n = 20). Compared with the placebo group, the LEDT group exhibited significant increases in PPT values at 48, 72, and 96 h postexercise ( ). The joint range of motion was significantly different between the LEDT and placebo groups at 72 and 96 h postexercise ( ). No significant intergroup differences were noted in thigh circumference and muscle strength ( ). Conclusion. The application of 830 nm LEDT on postexercise DOMS pain exerted an analgesic effect but did not affect the muscle repair process. Future studies should elucidate the beneficial effects of 830 nm LEDT on muscle recovery or performance.