Acupuncture training: treatment of cervical spondylopathy by “neck three-point needling”
Treatment methods:
1. Acupoint-selection method
Using “neck three-point needling” (Chonggu (Extra)，Dazhui (GV 14), Taodao (GV 13)) with other acupoints with based on syndrome differentiation.
1.1 Neck-type CS: this type of CS patients mainly manifests heavy sensation and pain in the back, and is treated by needling Jianjing (GB 21), T ianzong (SI 11) and Waiguan (TE 5).
1.2 Nerve-root type: this type of CS patients chiefly manifests soreness and pain in the shoulder joint, and numbness in the fingers, and is treated by needling Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi(LI 11), and Hegu(LI4). Waiguan (TE 5) and penetrative puncture from Houxi (SI 3) to Laogong (PC 8).
1.3 Spinal cord type: the present type of CS patients manifests numbness and feebleness of lower extremities and is treated by needling Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Yanglingquan (GB 34).
1.4 Vertebral artery type: the present type of CS patients has symptoms of cervical vertigo, forgetfulness and restlessness and is treated by puncturing Taiyang (EX-HN5 ), Fengchi(GB 20), Si shencong(EX-HN 1).
1.5 Trisplanchnic nerve type: this type of CS patients has main headache, tinnitus, chest distress and vomiting and is treated by needling Neiguan (PC 6 )，Shanzhong (CV 17) and Tinggong (S1 19).
2. Needling method
After routine sterilization, filiform needles 40 mm long were respectively inserted into the aforementioned neck three-points. After achieving needling sensations, the acupuncture needles were retained for 30 minutes, when, they were manipulated twice with uniform reinforcing-reducing method. The treatment was given once daily, with 10 times being a therapeutic course, 3 courses altogether.
Discussions:
It is generally believed that cervical spondylopathy is caused jointly by several pathogenic factors among which the degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs and secondary degeneration of intervertebral articulations are the root causes. During its developmental process, the intervertebral disc degeneration occurs first, then, the intervertebral articulations and the peripheral tissues are involved, followed appearance of some corresponding clinical manifestations.
The disturbance of the lower portion of cervical vertebrae is commonly seen in cervical spondylopathy, which is related to the bigger range and higher frequency of movement of the cervical vertebrae, moreover, the intervertebral openings and the vertebral canal become narrower gradually from C1 to C7，while the nerves and the spinal medulla are thicker in the lower portion. As a result, they are easily injured. The neck three-points are located in the depression sites respectively under the C6，C7,T1. Stimulating acupoints near the focus may be easily to
cause the needling sensation to reach the diseased part, improving the local blood circulation, eliminating the inflammation and edema of local tissues, and reducing the compression of the related nerves. Hence, the therapeutic effect is remarkable.
Dazhui (GV 14) is the confluence point of the three hand-yang and three foot-yang meridians. Needling Dazhui (GV 14) can activate the yang-qi to enhance body's resistance against pathogenic cold-dampness factors. Chonggu (Extra) and Taodao (GV 13) lie next to Dazhui (GV 14) in the governor vessel, when used together, they can help each other in reinforcing the essence and dredging orifice. If other auxiliary acupoints used in
combination, the therapeutic effects will be strengthened further in dredging meridians and eliminating stasis to stop pain. Treatment of cervical spondylopathy with neck three-point needling is a good therapeutic method for simultaneous treatment of the root and secondary causes of this problem by way of activating dung-qi to dispel pathogenic factors.
At present, acupuncture and moxibustion are common therapeutic methods for cervical spondylopathy in clinical practice. There are various methods in selecting acupoints and needle manipulations. According to our experience accumulated in long-term clinical practice, the authors noticed that the needling sensation area of Chonggu (Extra)，Dazhui (GV 14) and Taodao (GV 13) almost coincides with the distribution area of nerve segments of the cervical ganglia in the lower portion of the cervical canal. The proper depth of the needle insertion should be about 25 mm. This method has characters of convenient operation, fewer acupoints used and definite therapeutic effect, thus, it is worthy of being popularized.
TCMOO acupuncture training
Writer: Nie Rongrong, Liu Minyong, Wu Jian
