Advances in Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement for Cervical Spondylosis

Anterior cervical decompression and fusion(ACDF)treatment for cervical spondylosis has been more than half a century,and achieved good clinical results.However,with the continuous extension of follow-up time,the fusion segment-associated postoperative complications emerged gradually.Reserved cervical stability and activity,the concept of non-fusion was born.As a non-fusion technique,cervical artificial disc replacement(CADR)developed rapidly.With the continuous development of artificial prosthesis materials and design concepts,and specification and proficiency of surgical procedures,CADR has achieved better short and mid-term clinical efficacy than ACDF.Compared with ACDF,the main advantages of CADR are that the postoperative recovery is quick,the activity and stability of cervical vertebra are maintained,the height of cervical intervertebral space is restored,and the stress of adjacent segments and the rate of surgical renovation are reduced.In clinical work,as an emerging technology,CADR requires spine surgeons to control the surgical indications,contraindications,and patients'conditions strictly.This article reviews the research progress of CADR in order to provide new ideas for clinical treatment of cervical spondylosis.

Research Updates of Traditional Rehabilitation Therapy in Treating Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis has many obvious symptoms.Through literature reviews and hospital visits and collecting information under the guidance of our instructors,three methods of traditional rehabilitation therapy are reviewed in this study:massage,cupping,and Gua Sha.Information regarding cervical spondylosis was sorted out,from the causes of the disease and treatment methods to precautionary measures,which are discussed in this paper.

Acupuncture-based treatments on cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type

Cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type is one of the chief patterns of cervical spondylosis.It is often described as neck pain accompanied with radiating pain and neurologic symptoms,such as sudden dizziness,blurred vision,tinnitus,nausea,vomiting,memory loss,and sudden fainting.The incidence of cervical spondylosis increases and patients with cervical spondylosis become progressively younger.Acupuncture in the cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type treatment has a local positive reaction“Liuhe point”,in order to dredge the local Qi and blood.More and more evidences into the effectiveness and safety of cervical spine acupuncture for cervical spondylosis,specific neck pain,cervical radiculopathy,etc.This article summarizes the recent literature on acupuncture and acupuncture combined with other therapies for cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type treatment and provides a comprehensive review from the perspectives of acupuncture therapy,warm needle moxibustion therapy,electroacupuncture,and acupuncture combined with other therapies,in order to provide reference and reference for clinical treatment.

Expression of c-fos in gastric myenteric plexus and spinal cord of rats with cervical spondylosis

AIM: To determine the expression of c-fos in gastric myenteric plexus and spinal cord of rats with cervical spondylosis and its clinical significance. METHODS: A cervical spondylosis model was established in rats by destroying the stability of cervical posterior column,and the cord segments C4-6 and gastric antrum were collected 3, 4 and 5 mo after the operation. Rats with sham operation were used as controls. c-fos neuronal counter-staining was performed with an immunohistochemistry method. Every third sections from C4-6 segments were drawn. The 10 most labeled c-fos-immunoreactive (Fos-IR) neurons were counted, and the average number was used for statistical analysis. The mean of Fos-IR neurons in myenteric plexus was calculated after counting Fos-IR neurons in 25 ganglia from each antral preparation, and expressed as a mean count per myenteric ganglion.RESULTS: There were a few c-fos-positive neurons in the cervical cord and antrum in the control group. There was an increased c-fos expression in model group 3, 4 and 5 mo after operation, whereas there was no significant increase in c-fos expression in the control group at 3, 4 and 5 mo.More importantly, there was a significant difference in c-fos expression between rats followed up for 3 mo and those for 5 mo in the model group (11.20±2.26 vs 27.68±4.36,P＜0.05, for the cervical cord; and 11.3±2.3 vs 29.3±4.6,P＜0.05, for the gastric antrum). There was no significant difference between rats followed up for 3 mo and those for 4 mo and between rats followed up for 4 mo and those for 5 mo in the model group.CONCLUSION: c-fos expression in gastric myenteric plexus was dramatically associated with that in the spinal cord in rats with cervical spondylosis, suggesting that the gastrointestinal function may be affected by cervical spondylosis. If this hypothesis is confirmed by further studies, functional gastrointestinal diseases such as functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome could be explained by neurogastroenterology.

Dynamic Radiographic Analysis of Sympathetic Cervical Spondylosis Instability

Objective To investigate the correlation between subaxial cervical spine instability and cervical spondylotic sympathetic symptoms as well as the difference of cervical spondylotic subaxial instability between male and female patients. Methods We analyzed retrospectively 318 surgical cases of cervical spondylosis treated at Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between July 2003 and December 2007. All cases were divided into group A without sympathetic symptoms (n=284) and group B with sympathetic symptoms (n=34). Angular and horizontal translation values between two adjacent vertebral bodies from C2 to C7 were measured separately on hyperflexion and hyperextension lateral cervical spine radiographs. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the correlation between subaxial cervical instability and sympathetic symptoms. Intragroup correlation between patient gender and subaxial cervical instability was also evaluated. Results Subaxial instability incidences in groups A and B were 21.8% (62/284) and 55.9% (19/34), respectively. Statistical analysis indicated a definite correlation between subaxial cervical instability and sympathetic symptoms (P=0.000). Among patients without sympathetic symptoms, subaxial instability incidences were 21.4% (37/173) in males and 22.5% (25/111) in females, respectively (P=0.883). While among patients with sympathetic symptoms, subaxial instability incidences were 27.3% (3/11) in males and 69.6% (16/23) in females, respectively, indicating significant difference (P=0.030). Subaxial instability was most commonly seen at C4-C5 intervertebral space in sympathetic cervical spondylosis patients. Conclusions High correlation exists between subaxial cervical spine instability and cervical spondylotic sympathetic symptoms, especially in female patients. Hyperextension and hyperflexion radiographs of cervical spine are important to assess sympathetic cervical spondylotic subaxial instability.

Acupuncture of different stimulation for the treatment of neck type cervical spondylosis:a randomised controlled trial

Objective:To observe the difference in clinical efficacy of acupuncture with strong and weak stimulation in treating neck type cervical spondylosis.Methods:64 patients with neck type cervical spondylosis were randomly divided into strong stimulation group and weak stimulation group,with 32 cases in each group.The acupoints selected are Jingjiaji 5-7(cervical acupoints EX-B2 C5-C7),Tianzhu(BL10)on both sides,Houxi(SI3)on both sides,Hegu(LI4)on both sides,Geshu(BL17)on both sides,and Ashi.In the strong stimulation group,deep needling with 0.25 mm×40 mm milli-needle was performed,with a mild reinforcing-reducing method.The twisting angle was 90°-180°,the frequency was 60-90 times/min,and the needles were applied for 1 min at each point.Keep the needle for 30 minutes,twisting was performed every 10 min during the retention period.Change hands once.In the weak stimulation group,shallow acupuncture with a 0.18 mm×40 mm milli-needle was performed,with a mild reinforcing-reducing method,with a twisting angle of 60°-90°,a frequency of 30-60 times/min,and acupuncture for 10 seconds at each acupoint.Keep the needle for 30 minutes,and no needle during the retention period.Patients in both groups were treated once every 1 to 2 days,3 times a week for 2 weeks,and followed up for 1 month after all treatments.The two groups of patients were compared before and after treatment and during follow-up.The McGill pain questionnaire score and the cervical spine dysfunction index score were compared to determine the clinical efficacy.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software.Results:1 case drop-out in the strong stimulation group and 1 case in the weak stimulation group.The total effective rate of the strong stimulation group was 90.32%,the total effective rate of the weak stimulation group was 83.87%,and the total effective rate of the strong stimulation group was higher than that of the weak stimulation group(P<0.05).The total scores of the short-form McGill pain questionnaire,the VAS score,and the cervical spine dysfunction index scores of the two groups of patients were significantly lower than those of this group before treatment,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The total scores of the short-form McGill pain questionnaire,visual analogue scale score,and cervical spine dysfunction index scores of the strong stimulation group after treatment and follow-up were significantly lower than those of the weak stimulation group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture with strong and weak stimulation can effectively treat patients with cervical spondylosis,and deep acupuncture with filiform needles and strong stimulation have better effect.

Clinical observation on the treatment of sympathetic cervical spondylosis with meridian acupoint massage combined with curvature traction

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of meridian acupoint massage combined with curvature traction on sympathetic cervical spondylosis its influence on heart rate variability and norepinephrine concentration.Methods:80 patients with sympathetic cervical spondylosis were divided into the treatment group and control group randomly,with 40 patients in each group.Patients in the two groups were treated with massage on the basis of curvature traction.Among them,the treatment group was treated with meridian acupoint massage,while the control group was treated with routine massage.Each subject was treated once a day for 2 weeks.Before and after treatment,VAS,NRS,"20 score method",NDI,JOA,and Borden's method were used to evaluate the pain,sympathetic symptoms and cervical function of the two groups.At the same time,the changes of RR interval standard deviation and urine noradrenaline concentration were also observed.Finally the clinical efficacy of the two groups were evaluated.Results:The cure rate of the treatment group was 62.50%,while it was 40.00%in the control group,and the effective rate of the treatment group was 95.00%,the total effective rate of the control group was 80.00%,the treatment group was superior to the control group in both cure rate and total effective rate(P<0.05).During post-therapy,VAS score,NRS score,sympathetic symptom score,cervical physiological curvature,NDI score,and noradrenaline concentration in urine in both groups were lower than those of pre-treatment(P<0.01),JOA score and heart rate variability SDNN value were significantly higher(P<0.01),and the treatment group was superior to the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion:Meridian acupoint massage combined with curvature traction has a significant clinical effect on sympathetic cervical spondylosis,which is worth further promotion and application.

Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution Theory in Patients with Cervical Spondylosis

This paper expounds the theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution applied to patients with cervical spondylosis,in order to clarify the distribution characteristics of TCM constitution of patients with cervical spondylosis.And to analyze the correlation between TCM constitution theory and cervical spondylosis is helpful to provide ideas for integrated nursing care of TCM and western medicine in patients with cervical spondylosis,and provide the basis for the construction of health management program and the evaluation of health promotion effect.

Massage Treatment for Spinal cord of Cervical Spondylosis

ＭａｓｓａｇｅＴｒｅａｔｍｅｎｔｆｏｒＳｐｉｎａｌｃｏｒｄｏｆＣｅｒｖｉｃａｌＳｐｏｎｄｙｌｏｓｉｓ￥ＪｉｎＪｉａｈｕａ（ＩｎｓｔｉｔｕｔｅｏｆｏｒｔｈｏｐｅｄｉｃｓａｎｄＴｒａｕｍａｔｏｌｏｇｙ，ＣｈｉｎａＡｃａｄｅｍｙｏｆＴＣＭ．１００７００）Ｔ...

MULTI-CENTER RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS OF COMBINED TREATMENT OF VERTEBRAL ARTERY TYPE CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND MASSAGE

Objective.To evaluate the clinical value of synthetical therapy of acupuncture and massage for treating vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis （VACS）. Methods： In the present study, triple-center, single-blind, randomized and control methods were adopted. Qualified subjects were randomly assigned to three groups： acupuncture-massage （acu-mas） group, acupuncture group, and massage group （60 subjects in each group）. Bilateral Fengchi （风池 GB 20）, Jiaji （夹脊 EX-B 2, C4-7） and Baihui （百会 GV 20） ware punctured in combination with massage at the neck-shoulder and back region. The treatment was conducted once daily, 14 times altogether. Results. After treatment, of the 60 cases in each of acu-mas, acupuncture and massage groups, 28, 11 and 13 were cured, 13, 20 and 17 markedly effective, 12, 14 and 16 effective, and 7, 15 and 14 ineffective, with the total effective rates being 88.3%, 75.0% and 76.7% respectively. The therapeutic effect of acu-mas group was significantly superior to that of simple acupuncture and massage groups （P〈 0.05）. The scores of clinical symptoms and signs in 3 groups all declined significantly after treatment （ P〈 0.01 ）, and the score of symptoms of acu-mas was markedly lower than those of acupuncture and massage groups （P〈 0.05）. No significant differences were found among 3 groups in the score of clinical signs and between acupuncture and massage groups in the score of clinical symptoms （P〉0.05）. The time for producing therapeutic effects in acu-mas group was significantly shorter than those of acupuncture and massage groups （P〈0.01, 0.05）, meanng a faster of aou-mas group in producing clinical effect. No adverse events ware found in all the 3 groups. Conclusion： Acupuncture and massage are effective and safe in the treatment of VACS, and the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with massage is superior to that of simple acupuncture and simple massage therapy.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON TREATMENT OF NERVE-ROOT TYPE CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS WITH ACUPUNCTURE, TRACTION PLUS SELF-EXERCISE OF QIGONG

Purpose: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with traction and Qigong exercise for treatment of nerve root type cervical spondylosis. Methods: A total of 130 nerve root type cervical spondylosis patients were randomly divided into acupuncture + traction + Qigong exercise (ATQE) group (n=59), acupuncture + Qigong exercise (AQE) group (n=40) and traction + Qigong exercise (TQE) group (n=31). Main acupoints used were Fengchi (GB 20) and cervical Jiaji (EX B 2) on the affected side. Results: After one month’s treatment, in ATQE, AQE and TQE groups, 43 (72.88%), 18 (45.00%) and 12 (45.16%) had remarkable amelioration, 14 (23.72%), 14 (35.00%) and 10 (32.26%) were effective, and 2 (3.39%), 8 (20.00%) and 7 (22.58%) had no apparent changes with the total effective rates being 96.61%, 80.00% and 77.41% respectively. The therapeutic effect of ATQE group was significantly superior to that of AQE and TQE groups (P<0.01).

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ACPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH MASSAGE FOR CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS OF VERTEBRAL ARTERIAL TYPE BY USING TRANCRANIAL DOPPLYER ULTRASONOGRAPHY

To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with massage on blood flow velocity of the vertebro-basilar artery in cervical spondylosis of vertebral arterial type （CSVAT） patients. Methods： In the present study, methods of evidence-based medicine, triple-centers, single-blindness, randomization and control were used. A total of 100 cases of CSVAT patients were randomized into acupuncture plus massage （acu-massage） group （n = 38）, acupuncture group （n = 32） and massage group （n = 30）. Acupoints used were Fengchi （风池, GB 20）, cervical Jiaji （颈夹脊 EX-B 2）, Baihui （百会 GV 20）, and the methods of massage used were kneading-rolling, adhesion-separating and acupoint-digital pressing, topical digital pressing and rubbing, traction-extending and mild palm-rubbing. The treatment was conducted once daily, with 7 sessions being a therapeutic course and continuously for 2 courses. Changes of peak velocity （Vp）, end-diastolic velocity （Vd）, mean velocity （Vm） of blood flow of the vertebral artery （VA） and basilar artery （BA）, etc were detected before and after the treatment by using transcranial Doppler （TCD） ultrasonography. Resuits： After the treatment, the abnormally low Vp of both VA and BA in acu-massage, acupuncture and massage groups, Vm of VA in acu-massage and acupuncture groups, Vm of BA in acu-massage and massage groups, and Vd of VA and BA in the 3 groups all increased significantly in comparison with their own pretreatment（ P 〈 0.05, 0.01）, and the therapeutic effects of acu-massage group in the 3 indexes were significantly superior to those of acupuncture group and/or massage group （P 〈0.05, 0.01 ）. The abnormally increased Vp of VA in acu-massage and acupuncture groups, Vm of VA in the 3 groups, and Vd of VA in acu-massage and massage groups decreased obviously after the treatment in comparison with their own pretreatment （P 〈 0.05, 0.01）, and the therapeutic effects of acu-massage group were significantly superior to those of acupuncture and/or massage group in the 3 indexes of VA （P〈0.05, 0.01）. In addition, the abnormally increased Vp, Vm and Vd of BA in the 3 groups showed a similar tendency. No significant differences between acupuncture and massage groups in 3 indexes （ P 〉0.05）. Conclusion： The therapeutic effects of acupuncture plus massage is significantly superior to those of simple acupuncture and simple massage therapies in improving abnormal blood dynamics of vertebral and basilar arteries in CSVAT patients.

CLINICAL STUDY ON LASER NEEDLE-KNIFE AND ACUPUNCTURE FOR VERTEBRAL-ARTERY-TYPE CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Objective To compare the effect of laser needle-knife and acupuncture with medication for vertebral-artery-type cervical spondylosis （CSA）. Methods The 88 outpatients of CSA were divided with single-blind method into Treatment Group （treated by laser needle-knife and acupuncture） with 48 patients in it and Control Group （treated by Intravenous drip of Compound Salvia Miltiorrhiza Injection and oral taking of Flunarizine （Sibelium） with 40 patients in it. Before the treatment, the two groups were without difference statistically. Results In the treatment group, the curative rate was 60.42% and the total effective rate 97.92%. In the control group, the curative rate was 30% and the total effective rate 87.5%. In statistics, P〈0.05, a significant difference existed between the two groups. Conclusion The effect of laser needleknife and acupuncture for CSA is obviously better than that of medication, worth spreading.

Potential Mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction for Cervical Spondylosis treatment based on Network Pharmacology

Objective:To study the potential mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction in the treatment of cervical spondylosis based on the network pharmacological method,and to provide a basis for clinical application and pharmacological research.Methods:TCMSP search was used to screen the main active compounds and related action targets of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction,the standard names of action targets were obtained through the Uniprot database,and the"drug-target"interaction network was constructed by using Cytoscape3.6.1 software.The related targets of cervical spondylosis were obtained by searching GeneCards,OMIM,DisGeNET,and CTD databases,and the disease targets and drug targets were mapped by the Venny platform,and the intersection genes of them were the potential targets for drug treatment of this disease.Then,the intersection genes were input into the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.6.1 software,and the protein-protein interactions(PPI)network of"drug-disease intersection targets"was constructed,and we screened the core targets.Finally,GO biological function analysis and KEGG signaling pathway analysis of core targets were carried out through the DAVID database.Results:According to the screening conditions,74 effective compounds and 138 drug action targets of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction were obtained,12179 genes related to cervical spondylosis were obtained,and the Venny platform analysis obtained 105 intersecting targets.With visual network processing by Cytoscape software,33 core targets were obtained by analyzing and calculating the core target degree values,which were JUN,PTGS2,NR3C1,TNF,IL6,TP53,EGFR,VEGFA,NOS3,IL1B,and so on.GO analysis showed that there were 133 items(P<0.05),involving adrenergic receptor activation,neurotransmitter receptor activation,nuclear receptor activation,catecholamine binding,etc.KEGG analysis obtained a total of 139 pathways(P<0.05),involving IL-17 signaling pathway,and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway,relaxin signaling pathway,AGE-RAGE signaling pathway of diabetic complications,fluid shear stress,and atherosclerosis.Conclusion:the active components in Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction may act on the core targets such as JUN,PTGS2,NR3C1,TNF,IL6,TP53,VEGFA through IL-17 signal pathway,tumor necrosis factor signal pathway,and AGE-RAGE signal pathway of diabetic complications,and exert their therapeutic effects.The research results can provide a basis for future basic and clinical research.

Clinical Application Value and Satisfaction Analysis of Physical Therapy in rehabilitation treatment of cervical spondylosis

Objective:To analyze the clinical value and nursing satisfaction of physical therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with cervical spondylosis.Methods:From November 2019 to November 2020,84 patients with cervical spondylosis were randomly divided into two groups.Group A was given physical therapy,while group B was not given physical therapy.The differences of curative effect,cervical function,quality of life score and nursing satisfaction between the two groups were analyzed.Results:The curative effect of group A was 97.62%higher than that of group B 83.33%,P<0.05;The score of cervical function in group A(8.09±1.75)was higher than that in group B(8.09±1.75),P<0.05;The scores of quality of life in group A were better than those in group B(P<0.05);The nursing satisfaction of group A was 95.24%,which was better than that of group B 78.57%,P<0.05.Conclusions:Physical therapy intervention for patients with cervical spondylosis can improve nursing satisfaction and cervical function,which can be widely used.

Influence of different acupoint combinations on immediate effect of surface electromyography of patients with cervical spondylosis

Objective To observe the influence of different acupoint combinations on immediate effect of surface electromyography of patients with cervical spondylosis, and to explore the interactions and laws among different acupoint combinations. Methods Acupuncture in three kinds of different acupoint combinations was conducted on 90 patients with cervical spondylosis（three groups）： group A [distal point selection group： Kūnlún（昆仑 BL 60） and Hòuxī（后溪 SI 3）]; group B [local point selection group： Fēngchí（风池 GB 20） and Tiānzhù（天柱 BL 10）]; group C（distal and local point selection group： BL 60, SI 3, GB 20 and BL 10）. Self control before and after treatment was adopted to observe the mean value of surface electromyography（SEMG） amplitude, to measure the mean values of integrated electromyography（IEMG） and electromyography root mean square（RMS）, and to calculate the variation rate of electromyography amplitude of trapezius on the affected side of patients before and after acupuncture. The differences of influences of different acupoint combinations on immediate effect of surface electromyography were compared intra-group, and the differences among the three groups after acupuncture were also compared. Results According to the intragroup comparison before and after acupuncture, the differences of mean value of electromyography amplitude, variation rate of electromyography amplitude, IEMG and RMS were both statistically significant（all P〈0.05）. According to the inter-group comparison after acupuncture, the mean value of electromyography amplitude, variation rate of electromyography amplitude, IEMG and RMS varied in different degrees, however, the differences were not significant（all P〉0.05）; there was no significant difference in the total effective rate among the three groups（P〉0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture treatment in different acupoint combinations can increase IEMG and RMS and reduce mean value of electromyography amplitude and variation rate of electromyography amplitude, enhance cervical vertebral stability and active contractility of muscle fiber, and improve the fatigue resistance of neck flexion; while, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on cervical spondylosis has nothing to do with the distance or the number of selected acupoint.

Transverse striation needling for 30 cases of cervical spondylosis

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of transverse striation needling in treatment of cervical spondylosis.Method Thirty patients were diagnosed with cervical spondylosis in Guoyitang Clinic,Yanwu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital,Xiamen University from July,2013 to March,2015,and were included into this study.Transverse striation needling,i.e.transverse insertion into the transverse striation of the cervical vertebra,was adopted for the 30 patients,and conventional acupuncture at Fēngchí（风池 GB 20,bilateral）,Jiānj？ng（肩井 GB 21,bilateral） and Jiānzhōngshù（肩中俞 SI 15,bilateral） was combined.The treatment was conducted for once a day,twice a week,and 6 times were needed in total.Follow-up visit was performed two months after the treatment.Result Among the 30 patients,the markedly effective rate was 70.0%（21/30）,effective rate was 30.0%（9/30）,and the total effective rate was 100.0%.There was no relapse during two months after the treatment.Conclusion The therapeutic effect of transverse striation needling in treatment of cervical spondylosis was good.

Efficacy observation on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type treated by the warm needling at Jiájǐ(夹脊EX-B 2) and tapping with plum-blossom needle

Objective To observe the clinical effect on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type treated by warm needling therapy at Jiáj （夹脊 EX-B 2） and plum-blossom needle therapy. Methods According to the random number table, 150 cases of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group （75 cases） and a control group （75 cases）. In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, the warm needling at EX-B 2 and tapping with plum-blossom needle were applied. EX-B 2 on the affected segments were selected and stimulated with warm needling technique for 20– 30 min. Afterward, the plum-blossom needle was used to tap the skin around the acupoints, for 3 min on each site. The treatment was given once every day. Seven treatments made one session. The interval between two sessions was 1 day. In the control group, the medication was used in combination with traction therapy. The intravenous drip with 5% glucose 250 mL and compound salvia miltiorrhiza injection 40 mL was used, once a day. In traction treatment, the patient was in a sitting position, neck anteflexion at 15°–30°, traction force at 10%–20% of the body mass, for 20–30 min in each time. The treatment was given once every day. The appointed person evaluated therapeutic effects after the three sessions of treatment in the two groups. Results The clinical curative rate was 49.3% （37/75） and the total effective rate was 94.7% （71/75） in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and those were 24.0% （18/75） and 81.3% （61/75） respectively in the control group. The total effective rate and clinical curative rate in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were superior to the control group （both P0.05）. In the comparison of the duration of treatment and effect in the cured patients between the two groups, the curative rate in the 1st session of treatment in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was higher than that in the control group （P0.05）. In the comparison of the 6-month follow-up visit in the cured patients between the two groups, the effect in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was much more stable （P0.05）. Conclusion The warm needling therapy at EX-B 2 and tapping therapy with plum-blossom needle achieve the significant effect on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type.

Efficacy observation on cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type treated with warm needling and rehabilitation physiotherapy therapy

Objective To compare the differences in the efficacy on cervical spondylosis of the vertebral artery type （CSA） treated with the warm needling therapy combined with the rehabilitation physiotherapy, the simple warm needling therapy and the simple rehabilitation physiotherapy separately and observe the impacts of them on the vertebral basilar artery （VBA） in hemodynamics. Methods Ninety cases of CSA patients were randomized divided into an acupuncture plus rehabilitation group, a warm needling group and a rehabilitation group, 30 cases in each. In the acupuncture ＋ rehabilitation group, the warm needling therapy was used at Jiájǐ （夹脊 EX-B 2） from C3 to C7 in combination with the rehabilitation physiotherapy such as traction and magnetic therapy. In the warm needling group, the simple warm needling therapy was applied. In the rehabilitation group, the simple rehabilitation physiotherapy was adopted. The VBA hemodynamic parameters, Vp, Vd, Vm and PI values were detected under the transcranial Doppler and taken as the indexes for the efficacy assessment of the groups. The efficacy of each group was assessed in association with the clinical curative rate. Results After treatment, the VBA hemodynamic parameters, Vp, Vd, Vm and PI values were all remarkably improved as compared with those before treatment in the three groups （P〈0.01, P〈0.05）. The improvement of the indexes in the acupuncture plus rehabilitation group were more significant as compared with either of the other two groups （all P〈0.01）. The clinical curative rate was 70.0% （21/30） in the acupuncture plus rehabilitation group, which was superior to 53.3% （16/30） in the warm needling group and 53.3% （16/30） in the rehabilitation group （all P〈0.01）. Conclusion The warm needling in combination with the rehabilitation physiotherapy significantly improves in VBA hemodynamic parameters for CSA and its clinical efficacy is superior to either the simple warm needling or the rehabilitation physiotherapy. Hence, this combined therapy was highly deserved to be promoted in clinical practice.

A case of amyotrophic cervical spondylosis

A case of amyotrophic cervical spondylosis was healed by using acupuncture in combination with electroacupuncture, needling was carried out on fengchi（风池 GB 20）, Tianzhu （天柱 BE 10）, Dazhui （大椎 GV 14）, Jianjing （肩井GB 21）, Zhiyang （至阳 GV 9）, Jianzhen （肩贞SI 9）, Jianyu （肩髃 El 15）, Shousanli （手三里LI 10）, Houxi （后溪SI 3）, Kunlun （昆仑 BE 60） and Shugu （束骨 BL 65）. BL 10 on the left side and LI 10 on the right side, GB 20 on the right side and GV 9 were connected for electroacupuncture, once a day, 12 treatments as one treatment course, a interval of 5 days was set between two treatment courses, and totally 6 treatment courses were carried out. The patient was clinically healed after the treatment and the disease did not recur during the follow-up for six months.