Clinical study of thumb-tack needle therapy for cervical radiculopathy based onmeridian differentiation

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy and eligibility of thumb-tack needle therapy based on meridian differentiation in treating cervical radiculopathy.Methods:A total of 70 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into an observation group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.Patients in the control group received thumb-tack needle based on conventional point selection,while those in the observation group received thumb-tack needle according to meridian differentiation.The visual analog scale(VAS)and clinical symptom scores in the two groups were compared before and after treatment,and the clinical efficacy of the two treatments was observed.Results:After treatment,the VAS score in both groups dropped significantly(both P<0.01),and the VAS score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).The clinical symptoms score in both groups dropped significantly(all P<0.01),and the clinical symptoms score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Thumb-tack needle therapy based on meridian differentiation can reduce pain score,improve clinical symptoms in patients with cervical radiculopathy,and produce more significant efficacy compared with conventional thumb-tack needle therapy.

Long round-sharp needle release technique for 34 cases of superior cluneal nerve entrapment syndrome

Objective:To observe the clinical effect on superior cluneal nerve(SCN)entrapment syndrome treated with the release technique of long round-sharp needle.Methods:The syndrome differentiation based on meridian muscle region was adopted.The release technique of the long round-sharp needle was used at the lesions of meridian tendon region,Yāoyícì(Beside Yaoyi)and the transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra in 34 patients with SCN entrapment syndrome.The treatment was given once a week,4 treatments made one course.After one course treatment,the therapeutic effect was observed.The results of pain rating index(PRI),the visual analogy scores(VAS)and the present pain intensity(PPI)were compared before and after treatment.Results:Of 34 patients,28 cases(82%)were cured,6 cases(18%)effective and 0 case(0%)failed.The total effective rate was 100%.The scores of PRI,VAS and PPI were(10.78±1.98),(5.98±1.19)and(3.91±1.68)successively in 34 cases before treatment and they were(1.98±1.79),(0.89±1.12)and(0.82±0.79)after treatment.The score of every evaluation scale after treatment was lower significantly than that before treatment(all P<0.01).Conclusion:The release technique of long round-sharp needle achieves the satisfactory clinical effect on SCN entrapment syndrome.Hence,this therapeutic method deserves to be promoted.