Abstract: OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of the activating qi acupuncture therapy on middle-aged and elderly people with sciatica caused by lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS 65 cases were randomly divided into the control group (the electric acupuncture group) and the treatment group (the activating qi acupuncture group)， with 32 cases and 33 cases respectively in the two groups. Dong's Linggu and Dabai extra points were applied in the treatment with the method of activating qi every 5 minutes and retaining for 30 minutes. In the control group， Ashi points， Jiaji points， Dachangshu and Huantiao were applied as the main points and matching points were applied according to viscera syndrome differentiation and channels and collaterals. Connect the electro-acupuncture apparatus after getting the sensation of qi and select dilatational wave at 50/100Hz retaining for 30 minutes. The two groups were both treated once a day with 2 courses (5 times a course). RESULTS The total effective rate in the treatment group was 90.90%， while the control group 84.38%. The treatment group was superior to the control group in the improvement of visual analogue scale (VAS) of leg pain and lumbago， scores of Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) (P<0.05) as well as the total efficacy (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The activating qi acupuncture therapy shows obvious effects on the sciatica caused by lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in middle-aged and elderly people， which is recommended in clinical application.