Slipped Disc Pain

I’m not comfortable with the words “best” or “cure” - but generally speaking acupuncture does extremely well with a broad range of disc issues. It is often one of the easier things to treat as far as what the average Chinese Medicine practitioner will see on a given day.

Generally within the confines of Chinese Medicine, the “best” will be acupuncture combined with cupping and tuina.

Some possibly relevant studies and theoretical information:

• Electro-acupuncture for degenerative disc disease
• Acupuncture for low back pain (protocol basics)
• Chinese herbal medicine and other options for back pain.

Have you not considered chiropractic first? Manipulation techniques (just like chiropractic has with Gonstad, Thompson, Palmer, etc.) are an inclusive component of TCM and are taught in schools all across China alongside Tui Na and Wai Gong tracks–within the context of TCM framework. A quick YouTube search can give you an idea of what to expect. So ideally, any practitioner of TCM that stays true to its roots would automatically think to give manipulation of the lower-dimensional body a try first before working directly on the energy channels.

I’m a purist, I know

In my experience chiro manipulation can be detrimental to disc herniation.
Or if it does work it gives only temporary relief.
Cheers

I strongly second that. We are always trying to fix people up after adjustments have either not helped them at all or in too many cases made them worse. Proper tuina has theoretical aspects to some parts of chiro theory with much better techniques in my opinion. What you are needing generally is vertical space which largely comes from loosening the tissue and muscle in broader areas than the are of pain (in basic terms). It’s also important to note that the body doesn’t feel pain - the mind does. Working broadly as is the case with properly applied Chinese Medicine deals with these issues from all aspects leading to better long term results with less intervention.

Here is an example of a good chiro (with a reputation to prove it). Just like TCM, Functional Medicine, or any other practice of medicine, there are good and bad practitioners.