Objective <p>To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-dominant treatment for acute lumbar sprain, as well as its effects on pain severity and lumbar range of motion (ROM).</p> Methods <p>A total of 98 patients with acute lumbar sprain were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group using a random number table, with 49 cases in each group. Both groups received flurbiprofen cataplasm; the observation group was additionally treated with acupuncture at Yaotongdian (EX-UE7). After 7 consecutive days of treatment, the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups, and changes in pain and lumbar ROM were observed.</p> Results <p>The total effective rate of the observation group was 95.9%, which was higher than 81.6% of the control group (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). After treatment, the scores of the four primary symptoms in both groups were lower than those before treatment (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05); the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). After 3 d and 7 d of treatment, the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores in both groups were lower than those before treatment in each group (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05); the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group at the same time points (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). After treatment, the lumbar ROMs in forward flexion, backward extension, left rotation, and right rotation in both groups were larger than those before treatment in each group (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05); the ROMs in the observation group were greater than those in the control group (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05).</p> Conclusion <p>Acupuncture at Yaotongdian (EX-UE7) combined with flurbiprofen cataplasm is superior to flurbiprofen cataplasm alone in the treatment of acute lumbar sprain. It can significantly relieve pain and improve lumbar function and ROM.</p>