Surveys indicate that 80% of office workers suffer from cervical spondylosis. Prolonged computer use in a static posture without movement easily damages the cervical spine. Additionally, with recent rising temperatures, people frequently stay in air-conditioned rooms, further impacting cervical health. Most cases begin mildly and go unnoticed, often resolving spontaneously with fluctuating severity. Only when symptoms worsen irreversibly and interfere with work and daily life do individuals take notice.If the condition persists despite treatment, it can lead to psychological distress, manifesting as insomnia, irritability, anger, anxiety, and depression. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) suggests summer offers an optimal window for treating cervical spondylosis. TCM experts explain that during hot weather, blood circulation in the neck accelerates, cervical ligaments and muscles relax, and nerve regeneration becomes more active—making it the ideal time for treatment.The enhanced blood flow facilitates the removal of metabolic waste from the neck, helping to reduce bone spurs, edema, and inflammation. The relaxation of joints, ligaments, and muscles aids in the realignment of intervertebral discs. Increased nerve regeneration also contributes to the alleviation of pain and numbness.
Primary symptoms of cervical spondylosis include aching pain in the head, neck, shoulders, back, and arms, along with neck stiffness and limited mobility. Neck and shoulder discomfort may radiate to the occipital region and upper limbs, sometimes accompanied by dizziness or a spinning sensation. Severe cases may involve nausea, vomiting, bedridden status, and in rare instances, vertigo or sudden collapse.Some patients experience facial warmth on one side or abnormal sweating. A sensation of heaviness in the shoulders and back, upper limb weakness, finger numbness, diminished skin sensation in the limbs, and impaired grip strength may occur, sometimes leading to unintentional dropping of held objects.
Other patients may develop lower limb weakness, unsteady gait, foot numbness, or a sensation of walking on cotton.When cervical spondylosis affects the sympathetic nerves, symptoms may include dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, eye swelling, dryness, difficulty opening eyes, tinnitus, ear congestion, balance disorders, tachycardia, palpitations, chest tightness, and in some cases, gastrointestinal bloating. A small number of individuals may experience urinary or fecal incontinence, functional impairment, or even quadriplegia.Difficulty swallowing and speech impairment may also occur. These symptoms correlate with disease severity, duration, and individual constitution.
Acupuncture offers convenient, painless, and rapid relief for cervical spondylosis. Common techniques include insertion, withdrawal, twisting, tapping, rubbing, and retention. Treatment focuses on tonifying qi and nourishing blood.and calming the mind. Selected acupoints include: Xinshu (BL15), Shenmen (HT7), Tongli (ST21), Jueque (ST27), Neiguan (PC6), Pishu (BL20), and Zusanli (ST36), all treated with slow needling. For restlessness or irritability, add Taixi (KI3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6); for shortness of breath or inability to lie flat, add Feishu (BL13) and Chize (LU5); for abdominal distension, add Zhongyuan (CV12).
Acupoint selection may be guided by the following conditions:
(1) Neck and Shoulder Pain/Numbness: Cervical spondylosis commonly presents with pain, soreness, distension, and numbness in the neck, shoulders, back, and upper limbs, particularly prevalent in cervical and radicular types. Acupuncture typically prioritizes meridian points corresponding to the affected area.
Commonly used points include: Dazhui (GV14), Fengfu (BL10), Fengchi (GB20), Jianjing (GB21), Jianyu (BL15), Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Waiguan (TE5), and Hegu (LI4).
For cases dominated by severe pain aggravated by cold exposure, use moderate technique with deep insertion and retain needles for 10 minutes.
For pain that moves erratically, use strong stimulation with shallow insertion.
For numb skin, heavy limbs, localized pain, or symptoms triggered by overcast weather, combine acupuncture with moxibustion or warm needle therapy.
(2) Headache: Select acupoints based on the specific location of the headache and its corresponding meridians.
For occipital pain, select acupoints including: Hou Ding (BL10), Tian Zhu (BL10), Feng Chi (GB20), Feng Fu (BL10), Kun Lun (BL60), and the area of most pronounced pain.
For pain in the top of the head, select acupoints including Baihui, Qiandong, Tongtian, Xingjian, and the painful area.
For pain in the front of the head, select acupoints including Shangxing, Touwei, Yintang, Hegu, and the painful area.
Note: When needling the head and face, avoid deep insertion. Shallow or oblique insertion is preferable to enhance therapeutic efficacy.For pain characterized by distending, throbbing, stabbing, or burning sensations that are severe and intolerable, strong stimulation techniques are generally employed. For pain characterized by dull, aching sensations accompanied by symptoms of weakness such as blurred vision or tinnitus, weak stimulation techniques are typically used, or warm needle therapy may be applied concurrently.
(3) Palpitations: Manifest as irregular heartbeat (rapid or slow). May be accompanied by chest tightness and shortness of breath worsening with activity, dizziness, blurred vision, chest pain, cold extremities, or elevated blood pressure. Commonly seen in sympathetic cervical spondylosis or patients with concurrent cardiovascular disease.
Additional acupuncture points may be selected for cervical spondylosis treatment: - For visual disturbances and fatigue: Liver Shu (BL18), Kidney Shu (BL23), Hsing Chien (LR1), Jing Ming (EX-HN5), and Guang Ming (EX-HN1); primarily use weak tonifying stimulation. - For tinnitus or deafness: Ting Gong (BL6), Yi Feng (BL58), Feng Chi (GB20), Qu Chi (LI11), Er Men (BL6), He Gu (LI4), and Ting Hui (BL41).For dizziness, select Tian Zhu (GB10), Yi Feng (BL10), Shenshu (BL23), Pishu (BL20), Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zusanli (ST36). For stiff neck, use Dazhui (GV14), Tian Zhu (GB10), Jianwai Shu (BL15), and Luozhen (BL15). Flexible point selection tailored to individual conditions, combined with multiple approaches, is essential for achieving cure.