A large review looked at data from 1,752 patients in China who had slipped discs in their lower back. These patients were given either standard medicine or standard medicine plus Yaobitong capsules. The goal was to see if the extra capsules helped patients feel better and move more easily.
Results showed clear benefits for everyone who took the extra capsules. Pain levels dropped by about 1.4 points on a standard scale. Disability scores improved significantly, meaning patients could do daily tasks with less trouble. Scores measuring nerve function also went up, showing better recovery.
The capsules also helped lower levels of bad chemicals in the body that cause swelling and pain. These chemicals included IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha. Patients taking the capsules had fewer bad side effects compared to those taking only standard medicine. Most side effects were very mild and did not stop patients from finishing their treatment.
Experts say these capsules can be a helpful addition to regular medicine for back pain. However, most of the studies were small and done in just one hospital. More research is needed to be sure these results hold true for everyone in the long term.