OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of traditional Chinese exercises combined with traditional Chinese massage on lumbar instability.METHODS: Seventy patients with lumbar instability were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group was treated with traditional Chinese exercises combined with traditional Chinese massage, while the control group was only treated with traditional Chinese exercises. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) scores, Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)and dynamic imaging indexes were used to assess treatment outcomes.RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, the JOA scores of both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment(P < 0.05), while ODI was significantly lower(P < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the JOA score of the experimental group was significantly increased(P < 0.05) than those before treatment.CONCLUSION: The traditional Chinese exercises and massage may improve the symptoms of lumbar instability, and traditional Chinese exercises combined with massage treatment may be better than exercises alone.