Table 1 Details of TEA treatment using the STRICTA 2010 checklist

1. Acupuncture rationale

1a. Style of acupuncture: Thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA)

1b. Reasoning for treatment provided (based on historical context, literature sources, and/or consensus methods, with references where appropriate):

By the consensus of a group of clinical experts, based on a previous study [21,22,23,24]

1c. Extent to which treatment was varied: Using bilateral EX-B2 of the herniated intervertebral disc its upper and lower levels

2. Details of needling

2a. Number of needle insertions per subject per session: 23 acupoints

2b and 2c. Names of points used and depth of insertion, based on a specified unit of measurement, or on a particular tissue level:

Bilateral EX-B2 of the level of the herniated intervertebral disc: perpendicular insertion (4 cm)

Bilateral EX-B2 of the upper level of the herniated intervertebral disc: perpendicular insertion (4 cm)

Bilateral EX-B2 of the lower level of the herniated intervertebral disc: perpendicular insertion (4 cm)

Bilateral BL24: transverse insertion towards the L1 level along the erector muscle of the spine (6 cm)

Bilateral BL25: transverse insertion towards the iliac crest (4 cm)

Bilateral BL26: transverse insertion towards the L1 level along the erector muscle of spine (6 cm)

Bilateral BL26: oblique insertion towards the iliolumbar ligament (6 cm)

Bilateral EX-B7: oblique insertion towards the gluteus medius muscle (6 cm)

Bilateral BL28: oblique insertion towards the sacroiliac ligament (6 cm)

Bilateral GB30: perpendicular insertion (6 cm)

Unilateral (symptomatic side) GB34, BL57, and ST36: oblique insertion towards the foot (4 cm)

2d. Response sought: None

2e. Needle stimulation: No additional stimulation

2 f. Needle retention time: None

2 g. Needle type: TEA (29-gauge ×  40 mm, or 29-gauge ×  60 mm)

3. Treatment regimen

3a. Number of treatment sessions: Eight

3b. Frequency and duration of treatment sessions: Once a week for 8 weeks

4. Other components of treatment

4a. Details of other interventions administered to the acupuncture group: Rescue medication, lifestyle, education

4b. Setting and context of treatment, including instructions to practitioners, and information and explanations to patients: Minimized conversation between practitioner and participant

5. Practitioner background

5. Description of participating acupuncturists: Specialists from the acupuncture and moxibustion department or residents supervised by a specialist with at least 3 years of clinical experience

6. Control or comparator interventions

6a. Rationale for the control or comparator in the context of the research question, with sources that justify this choice: Thread-removed TEA will be used as a comparator. In this way, the study focuses specifically on the existence of thread.

6b. Precise description of the control or comparator. If sham acupuncture or any other type of acupuncture-like control is used (provide details as for Items 1 to 3 above): All conditions other than the use of thread-removed TEA will be the same as those in the treatment group.