Therapeutic Effect of Meridian Skin Region Drainage Therapy for Nerve Root Type of Cervical Spondylosis / 广州中医药大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical curative effect of meridian skin region drainage therapy for nerve root type of cervical spondylosis by comparing to the conventional acupuncture. Methods A total of 84 cases of cervical spondylosis were randomly divided into acupuncture group and drainage group,42 cases in each group. The drainage group was given meridian skin region drainage therapy including skin scraping, bloodletting combining with I-shaped acupuncture (acupuncture on Fengchi penetrating Fengfu,C3-C6 spinous process, Dazhui, Jianzhongshu, Jianwaishu), once a day. The acupuncture group was given conventional acupuncture mainly on Ashi points, cervical Jiaji acupoints, combining with Tianzhu, Dazhui, and Houxi, once a day. Seven times constituted one treatment course and the treatment for the two groups lasted 3 courses. During the treatment,time for the relief of the primary symptoms and signs of the two groups was observed,and pain index was evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). After treatment , the total clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated,and the recurrence rate was investigated during the follow-up. Results(1)The total clinical efficacy of the drainage group was 95.2％ and that of the acupuncture group was 83.3％, and there were significant differences between the two groups(P < 0.05).(2)During the treatment,time for the relief of tenderness, time for the relief of pain, and time for the improvement of range of motion in the drainage group were much shorter than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). (3)After treatment,VAS scores of the two groups were decreased(P<0.01 compared with those before treatment),and the decrease in the drainage group was superior to that in the acupuncture group(P < 0.05).(4)The 2-month follow-up showed that the recurrence rate of the drainage group was 17.6％,and that of the acupuncture group was 38.1％,the difference being significant (P<0.05).(5)During the treatment,no obvious adverse event occurred in the two groups. Conclusion Meridian skin region drainage therapy exerts certain therapeutic effect for nerve root type of cervical spondylosis.