Abstract： Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of fumigation with Sangbaipi Decoction combined with the thumbtack needle on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods： A total of 80 patients with AECOPD were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group， with 40 patients in each group. The control group received conventional western medicine treatment， and the observation group was treated with fumigation with Sangbaipi Decoction combined with the thumbtack needle based on the treatment of the control group. After three months of treatment，the clinical effects，scores of modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT)，lung function [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)， forced vital capacity (FVC)， and FEV1/FVC]， and the levels of serum inflammatory factors [interleukin-8 (IL-8)，tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)，and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were compared between the two groups. Results：The total effective rate was 95.00% in the observation group，which was higher than that of 77.50% in the control group， the difference being significant (P＜0.05). After treatment， FEV1， FVC， and FEV1/FVC in the two groups were increased when compared with those before treatment (P＜0.05)， and FEV1， FVC， and FEV1/FVC in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P＜ 0.05). After treatment， the mMRC scores in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment (P＜0.05)，and the mMRC scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05). After treatment， the CAT scores in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment (P＜0.05)，and the CAT scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05). After treatment，the levels of CRP，IL-8，and TNF-α in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment (P＜0.05)， and the levels of CRP， IL-8， and TNF- α in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion： The combination of fumigation with Sangbaipi Decoction and the thumbtack needle has a significant therapeutic effect on AECOPD，which can alleviate clinical symptoms and improve patients' lung function. The mechanism of action may be related to the downregulation of inflammatory factor levels.