[Dynamics of clinico-electromyographic indices in reflexotherapy of radicular syndromes of lumbar osteochondrosis].

Using electromyography the authors studied the functional status of the segmentary apparatus of the spinal cord in 58 patients with compression of S1-radicle secondary to vertebral osteochondrosis. The findings obtained included changes in the interferential EMG and reciprocal reflexes and decreased reflectory activity of alpha-motoneurons predominantly on the side of radicular involvement with the simultaneous intensification of gamma-loop effect. Acupuncture was followed by pain alleviation and normalization of the functional activity of the segmentary apparatus of the spinal cord mainly at the expense of this activity reduction on the healthy side. Clinical recovery was observed following the compensation of neuroreflectory activity of the segmentary centres on a new functional level. The advisability of the use of acupuncture in the treatment of the radicular syndrome of lumbar osteochondrosis is justified.