Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of balanced cupping combined with Shiyifang vinum application in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with cold-dampness obstruction patterns. Methods A total of 60 LDH patients with cold-dampness obstruction patterns admitted to the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from April to July 2024 were selected and randomly divided into a control group or an observation group, with 30 cases in each group. The control group received balanced cupping therapy, based on which the observation group received additional Shiyifang vinum application, and both groups received 2 courses of treatment (3 times a week, 2 weeks as 1 course). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores for pain assessment and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in VAS score for pain; scores for individual TCM syndromes such as cold pain in the waist and legs, aggravation of pain by cold, or restricted body-turning ability; or the total TCM syndrome score (all P>0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores for pain; scores for individual TCM syndromes such as cold pain in the waist and legs, aggravation of pain by cold, and restricted body-turning ability; and the total TCM syndrome score were all reduced in both groups, and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion Balanced cupping combined with Shiyifang vinum application can significantly reduce the pain intensity of LDH patients with cold-dampness obstruction patterns, improve their core symptoms such as cold pain in the waist and legs, aggravation of pain by cold, and restricted body-turning ability, and has value for further clinical promotion and application. 

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