Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To explore factors influencing the curative effect of scraping therapies (at acupoints or along channels) and to determine the relationship of scraping site and strength to curative effect. METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients with lumbar muscle strain were divided into five groups with 42 patients each.The "scraping therapy at acupoint until appearance of skin eruptions" and "scraping therapy along channel until appearance of skin eruptions" groups were treated with a 4-daycourse. The "scraping therapy at acupoint without appearance of skin eruptions", "scraping therapy along channel without appearance of skin eruptions", and acupuncture groups were treated with a 2-day course.The five groups were treated with seven courses. The visual analog scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI), and lumbago scores were recorded in the five groups before treatment, after each treatment, and in follow-up visits one month and three months after treatment. RESULTS: VAS, ODI, and lumbago scores after treatment improved in the five groups (P

Key words: Scraping therapy, Acupuncture points, Meridians, Low back pain, Treatment outcome