To observe the analgesic efficacy of acupuncture treatment on the third lumbar trans-verse process syndrome， and to explore the analgesic mechanism. Methods： Forty patients with the third lumbar trans-verse process syndrome were given acupuncture therapy in acupoints of ashi(on transverse)， Shenshu( BL-23)， Weizhong(BL-40) with 3sessions a week， 3 weeks as a course. The pain (VAS) and the level of interleukin-6， interleukin-10 in the serum detected by ELISA after treatment (on the third week) and returned visit (on the fifth week) were recorded. Results： After 3 weeks of treatment， the score of VAS decreased (P<0.05)， and the level of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in the serum were increased (P<0.05). In the return visit， the value of VAS decreased (P<0.05)， and the level of interleukin-6， interleukin-10 in the serum were fallen (P<0.05). Conclusion： Acupuncture treatment on the third lumbar trans-verse process syndrome had a better analgesic effect， and its analgesic mechanism may be promoting the metabolism of cytokines.