Ancient scraping therapy timed to Body's clock may tackle back pain

This trial tests whether adding Gua Sha—a traditional scraping therapy—to standard care can improve pain and function in people with lumbar disc herniation. The therapy is applied to the bladder meridian during the 'Shen period' (3–5 p.m.), based on traditional Chinese medicine's body-clock theory. Researchers will compare outcomes like pain scores, lumbar function, and levels of the inflammation marker CRP between a group receiving standard care and a group receiving standard care plus Gua Sha. The study enrolls 128 adults who are not suitable for surgery and have recurrent symptoms.