Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of Tuina combined with treadmill training on nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve transection. Methods Ninty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group (n=32), model group (n=32) and treatment group (n=32). The sciatic nerve was transected and the epineurium was sutured in the latter two groups. The treatment group was given Tuina manipulation and treadmill training once a day. Eight rats from each group were detected their sciatic nerve conduction velocity (NCV), the number of axons and Schwann cells (SCs) two, three, four and eight weeks after intervention. Results Compared with the model group, the NCV accelerated in the treatment group four and eight weeks after intervention (P<0.05); while the number of axons was significantly different two and four weeks after intervention (P<0.05), and the number of SCs was not very different between the treatment group and the model group after intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion Tuina combined with treadmill training may promote the regeneration of peripheral nerve after injury in rats.

Key words: Tuina, treadmill, neuranagenesis, sciatic nerve, conduction velocity, rats