Cervical spondylosis, also known as cervical syndrome, is a disease based on degenerative pathological changes. It manifests as cervical disc degeneration itself and a series of secondary pathological changes, such as spinal instability and loosening; nucleus pulposus protrusion or prolapse; bone spur formation; ligament hypertrophy and secondary spinal canal stenosis, etc., which stimulate or compress the spinal cord. The adjacent nerve roots, spinal cord, vertebral artery and cervical sympathetic nerves and other tissues, and cause a variety of syndromes with symptoms and signs.
The cervical vertebra is located between the head, chest and upper limbs. It is the smallest segment of the spinal vertebrae, but has the greatest flexibility, highest frequency of activity and heavy load-bearing. Because it does not bear various loads and strains, , or even trauma, so it is extremely prone to degeneration. After about the age of 30, the cervical intervertebral disc begins to gradually degenerate, and the water content decreases, which becomes more obvious with age, and induces or promotes tissue degeneration in other parts of the cervical spine. From a biomechanical perspective, the 5th to 6th and 6th to 7th cervical vertebrae bear the greatest stress. Therefore, cervical spondylosis is more common in these segments. Statistics show that about 25% of people around 50 years old have suffered from or are suffering from this disease, 50% around 60 years old, and almost 100% around 70 years old. It can be seen that this disease is common among middle-aged and elderly people. diseases and frequently-occurring diseases.
Clinical symptoms
The clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis are relatively complex. The main symptoms include neck and back pain, weakness in the upper limbs, numbness in the fingers, weakness in the lower limbs, difficulty walking, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and even blurred vision, tachycardia, and difficulty swallowing. The clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis are related to the location of the disease, the degree of tissue involvement, and individual differences.
1. Neck type: Complaints of abnormal sensations such as head, neck, and shoulder pain, accompanied by corresponding tender points. Characterized by neck stiffness, discomfort, pain, and inflexibility, this is the most common type.
2. Nerve root type: The patient's palms or arms are numb and painful, and their grip strength is weakened. Sometimes they feel weak even when holding a cup. When the condition is serious, the patient will be in pain all night long and have difficulty falling asleep.
3. Vertebral artery type: The patient’s symptoms are migraine, dizziness, or chest tightness and chest pain. Every attack of vertigo is related to neck rotation.
4. Sympathetic nervous type: clinical manifestations include a series of sympathetic nervous symptoms such as dizziness, dizziness, tinnitus, hand numbness, tachycardia, and precordial pain.
Treatment
Acupuncture is used to treat cervical spondylosis in modern times, but there were very few articles in the 1950s and 1960s. By the late 1970s, with the development of geriatric medicine, this disease began to receive attention from the acupuncture community at home and abroad. In less than 20 years, thousands of cases treated with acupuncture have been reported in Chinese medicine and other medical journals in my country. A variety of acupoint stimulation methods, such as electroacupuncture, warm acupuncture, herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion, bamboo pot method, acupoint laser irradiation, acupoint injection, magnetic acupuncture, beryllium acupuncture, etc. are all used in the treatment of this disease. This work is also carried out abroad, such as Romania, Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, Ireland and other countries. Foreign acupuncture practitioners mostly use filiform needles or electro-acupuncture for treatment, and Japanese scholars also used ginger-partition moxibustion. The acupoints selected are mainly on the neck and shoulders, but Yuandao and Ashi are also used.
According to domestic and foreign statistics, the effective rate of acupuncture for this disease is about 90%. In order to verify the efficacy, some people used electromyography to observe the effect of thermoacupuncture on cervical spondylosis. They found that with the disappearance of the positive signs, the resting fibrillation waves and positive phase waves in the electromyography disappeared, and the strength of the muscles innervated by the damaged nerves recovered. Normal, the motor potential voltage also tends to normal, proving that the effect is accurate.
▲Body acupuncture
(1) Acupoint selection
Main acupoints: divided into 2 groups. 1. Jiajineck 4~7; 2. Du 1~4, Fengchi, Tianzhu, Dazhui.
Acupoints assigned: For nerve root type, add Jianjing, Zhusuo, Quchi, Hegu, Houxi, and Yanglao; for vertebral artery type, add Baihui, Sishencong, Taiyang, Touwei, Sanyinjiao, and Taixi. , interline; for sympathetic type, add Baihui, Sishencong, Xinshu, Ganshu, Danshu, and Taichong; for spinal type, add Zusanli, Taiyang, Waiguan, Weizhong, Yanglingquan, and Huantiao.
Position of Du 1 to 4: Du 1, Du 2, and Du 4 are all located on the Du Vein. Du 1 is between the spinous processes of the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae (1 cun below the gate of Du), and Du 2 is the third. , 4 between the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae, 4 is between the spinous processes of 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae (1 cun above the big vertebra). Dumb 3 opens 05. inches next to Dumb 2 (bilaterally).
Location of the suture point: tender point on the inner edge of the scapula.
(2) Treatment method
Select one group of main points at a time, and you can choose them in turn.
Among them, for the first group of points, 5 to 6 of the Jiaji Neck are generally selected. If the neck and shoulder pain is numb to the wrist and fingers, all points can be selected; for the second group of points, only 1 point from the dumb (1 to 4) is selected each time, and the remaining points are selected. 1 to 2 holes. According to different symptom types, 2 to 4 acupoints are selected.
Operation of Jiaji Point: Take a 1.5- to 2-inch needle with a size of 28 to 30, and insert it toward the spine at a 75-degree angle or by opening the Jiaji Point and inserting it at a 45-degree angle until there is resistance at the tip of the needle. Withdraw the needle for 5 minutes as soon as you feel it. Use lifting and inserting combined with small twisting to promote the conduction of needle sensation. If the pain is severe, lift it tightly and insert it slowly; if the limbs are numb and cold, insert it tightly and lift it slowly. Generally, the method of flattening and flattening is used. Acupuncture points 1, 2, and 4 are all inserted straight 1 to 2 inches, with repeated lifting and insertion without twisting. The acupuncture method for Ya 3 is the same as Jiaji point. It is required to select the acupuncture points accurately. After gaining qi, gently lift and insert the needles for 3 to 5 minutes or pound the needles for 2 to 3 minutes. It is required that the numb 3 needles should feel like electric shock in the upper limbs and the remaining points should reach the electric shock in the limbs. The acupuncture sensation should be acquired gradually from weak to strong, and should not be stabbed randomly. If you are not satisfied with the needle feeling, you can adjust the direction. If you still don't have the above needle feeling, you don't have to force it. Remove the needle slowly and massage the acupuncture points for a moment. At Dazhui point, quickly insert the needle and slowly advance the needle to a depth of 1.5 inches. When inserting the needle, the needle tip is slightly upward, and after the Qi is obtained, the needle tip is slightly downward. Then, hold the needle handle with the thumb and index finger and twist it quickly and in a small amount, so that the patient will feel soreness and numbness flowing downward along the Governor Vessel, and then it will change from top to bottom. Twist the needle rhythmically (that is, twist the needle with your thumb upward and index finger downward) and move the needle for half a minute. Withdraw the needle subcutaneously, point the needle tip toward the affected side again, lift and twist for 1 minute, until the soreness and numbness reaches the shoulder and arm without leaving the needle. Fengchi inserts the needle about 1.5 inches toward the tip of the nose, so that the needle sensation radiates toward the head and neck. The Tianzhu point is slightly diagonally inserted toward the spine, and the needle sensation is preferably diffused toward the neck. Both methods are used to level the tonic and relieve the pain. After acupuncture is used to obtain Qi, the method of flattening and flattening is also used. Among them, the needle is inserted for 3 to 5 minutes at the suture point, which is appropriate if there is local soreness and swelling. When selecting the Yanglao point, the palm of the hand faces the chest, and the needle tip points toward the Neiguan direction. When inserted, the needle sensation radiates to the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. For the above acupuncture points, except for those where no needles are left, the needles are left in for 20 minutes. Once a day or every other day, 10 to 12 times constitute a course of treatment, with an interval of 3 to 5 days between courses.
(3) Efficacy evaluation
Efficacy criteria: clinical recovery: symptoms completely disappear, cervical spine mobility is normal, but neck X-rays show no significant improvement in degenerative lesions; significant effect : The clinical symptoms are significantly relieved, with slight discomfort in the neck after exertion, the same as above; Effective: the clinical symptoms are relieved, and light work can be done, the same as above; Invalid: symptoms and signs are not improved.
***1991 cases were treated. Among them, 1741 cases were evaluated according to the above standards. 778 cases (44.7%) were clinically cured, 566 cases (29.6%) were markedly effective, 401 cases (23.1%) were effective, and 46 cases (2.6%) were ineffective. The total effective rate was 97.4% [2 ~7].
In the other 250 cases, the improvement rate of neck and shoulder pain was 91.6%, and the effective rates of finger anesthesia and neck and shoulder joint mobility disorders were 89.5% and 94.2% respectively [8]. From the overall treatment situation, nerve root type acupuncture has the best effect, while spinal type acupuncture has the worst effect.
▲Electroacupuncture
(1) Point selection
Main points: Jiajineck 2-7.
Acupoints: Yanglao, Tianzhu, Dazhui, Shenshu, Dachangshu, Quchi, Waiguan, Hegu, Yanglingquan, Zhinbian.
(2) Treatment method
For the main points, select the corresponding Jiaji point according to the site of hyperplasia. Match acupoints, take 4 to 5 acupoints each time. Insert a 2-inch needle into the main point at a 45-degree angle toward the spine, move the needle until the needle sensation is transmitted, and then insert the needle into the matching point to gain Qi. Tonicize and relieve diarrhea for 1 minute, then turn on the electroacupuncture device, connect the negative electrode to the main acupoint, and the positive electrode to the matching acupoint, continuous wave, frequency 120 to 250 times/min, the current intensity is suitable for the patient to feel comfortable, generally 1 to 1.5 millimeter install. Once a day, 30 minutes each time, 15 times constitute a course of treatment, with an interval of 4 to 5 days between courses.
(3) Efficacy evaluation
*** treated 168 cases, some with Chinese and Western medicines, and the total effective rate was 93.3 to 96.4%.
▲Cupping
(1) Acupoint selection
Main acupoints: divided into 2 groups. 1. Ashi point or Dazhui; 2. Dazhu, Fengmen.
Acupoints: Tianzong, Jianjing, Jianzhen.
Ashi point location: tender point on the neck.
(2) Treatment methods
The first group of main points is pricking and cupping, and the second group is bamboo cupping. One set at a time, can be used alternately. If only the main acupoints are not effective, use or add 1 to 2 accessory acupoints.
Puncture and cupping method: You can first use beryllium needles, go straight in and out, as deep as the periosteum. After the needle is taken out, a small amount of blood will flow out (generally no more than 5 ml), or you can tap the skin needle locally. Microbleeds to the skin. Add cupping after acupuncture and leave the cup on for 15 minutes. After removing the cupping, perform local massage and head rotation. Once in 3 to 5 days, 3 times is a course of treatment. The intervals between treatments are 1 week.
Bamboo pot method: Boil bamboo pots of different sizes in a pot of boiling potion for 2 to 3 minutes, take out and shake off the potion, and then quickly place it on the acupuncture point to absorb the skin, wait for 7 to 10 minutes Then remove it until ecchymosis or congestion appears. Once a day or every other day, 10 times is a course of treatment. The intervals between treatments are 3 to 5 days.
Preparation of medicinal solution: mugwort leaves, Eucommia ulmoides, saposhnikovia, ephedra, papaya, Sichuan pepper, pangolin, woodworm, Qianghuo, Atractylodes, Duhuo, hematoxylin, safflower, peach kernel, Euphorbia sinensis, Millennium Jian, 10 grams each of pittosporum bark, 5 grams each of frankincense and myrrh, boiled in cloth bag and water.
(3) Efficacy evaluation
*** treated 300 cases, and 54 cases were clinically cured, 215 cases were markedly effective, and 31 cases were ineffective. The total effective rate was 86.7%. [15, 16, 18].
▲Acupoint injection
(1) Acupoint selection
Main acupoints: Xinshi, Ashi, Dazhui, Tianzong.
Acupoints: nerve root type plus Tianding, vertebral artery type and sympathetic type plus Fengchi.
New acupoint location: directly below Fengchi acupoint, 1.5 inches below the posterior hairline.
Ashi point location: tender point on the neck.
(2) Treatment method
Medical solution: mixed injection (2 ml of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection + 5-10 ml of 10% glucose injection); wild papaya injection, compound Salvia miltiorrhiza injection Injections.
Select one main acupoint at a time, and select one accessory acupoint according to the disease. Ashi points are mostly around the cervical vertebrae, so you need to search carefully. It would be better if you can find cord-like or nodular pain points. Before injecting the medicinal solution, the needle should be lifted slightly to make the Qi sensation obvious. The Tianding point should be so that the needle feels reaches the affected arm and fingers, and then slowly inject. Select one of the above medicinal solutions for each point and inject 1 ml. (2 ml of medicinal solution can be injected into the Ashi point). Once every other day, 12 times constitute a course of treatment.
(3) Efficacy evaluation
489 cases were treated, 184 cases were clinically cured (247 cases were markedly effective, 45 cases were effective, and 13 cases were ineffective, the total effective rate was 97.3% . For example, if cervical spondylosis is divided into three stages, the first stage is the cervical spine instability stage, the second stage is the osteophyte stimulation stage, and the third stage is the osteophyte compression stage. The acupoint injection in the first and second stages has the best effect. < /p>
▲Treatment
(1) Acupoint selection
Main acupoint: Ashi point
Ashi point location: the reaction point. . Most appear on the neck and back, which are Codonopsis-like skin lesions. They are generally round or oval, with large beans or peanuts, neat edges, and slightly darker edges than normal skin, with weak reflection on the large vertebrae and cervical vertebrae. Hyperplasia is more common.
(2) Treatment method
Choose 3 to 4 Ashi points each time and use 2% procaine for local anesthesia. Use a thin three-edged needle to break the epidermis first, and then pick out the superficial skin fibers. , pick clean. During the next pick, cut off the fiber ends exposed outside the epidermis. Pick and treat once every 5 days, and 5 times is a course of treatment. Pay attention to the points to be picked each time. There must be a point on the cervical spine
(3) Efficacy evaluation
560 cases were treated, and 504 cases were clinically cured, 38 cases were markedly effective, and 18 cases were effective. The effective rate is 100% [17]
▲Cupping and acupoint injection
(1) Acupoint selection
Main acupoint: Jiaji point on the neck
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Associated points: Fengchi, Tianzong, Jianjing, Jianyi, Hegu, Waiguan, Zhongzhu
(2) Treatment method
First select the main acupoints. , after acupuncture to obtain qi, use the fire-racking method or suction method for cupping. Generally, 1 to 2 pairs of Jiaji points are selected each time, and 2 to 3 pairs of matching points are selected for acupuncture. Leave the needle in place for 15 minutes based on the redness and purple color of the local skin. The next day, you can take 2 pairs of Jiaji points and inject 250 micrograms of vitamin B12/1 ml (0.5 ml per hole) and 2 ml of Angelicae Injection ( 1 ml per acupoint). Apply once a day, alternately, with a one-month interval between treatments.
(3) Efficacy evaluation
312 cases were treated with the above method. As a result, 62 cases were clinically cured, 235 cases were markedly effective, 32 cases were effective, and 3 cases were ineffective. The total effectiveness is 93.1%. 60 cases were followed up for a period of 6 months to 4 years, and only 1 case relapsed.
▲Acupoint laser irradiation
(1) Acupoint selection
Main acupoint: Ashi point.
Associated acupoints: Fengchi, Jianyi, Hegu, Quchi, Jianliao.
Ashi point location: Jiaji point in the lesion area.
(2) Treatment method
The main acupoints must be selected, and additional acupoints may be added as appropriate. The following two methods of irradiation can be used.
1. Helium-neon laser irradiation: Use a helium-neon laser irradiator with an output power of 25 milliwatts, an irradiation distance of 100 cm, and a spot diameter of 2 cm. Directly illuminate the Ashi point, and use the end of an optical fiber to close the acupoint. Skin irradiation. A special acupuncture needle connected to an optical fiber can also be inserted vertically 3 to 5 centimeters into the Ashi point until a strong numbing sensation is felt, and then irradiated. Irradiate the Ashi point for 10 to 15 minutes each time; irradiate the matching points for 5 minutes.
2. Carbon dioxide laser irradiation: Use a carbon dioxide treatment machine to irradiate at a distance of 25 to 30 cm from the acupoint area. The spot diameter is 4 cm. Defocus and vertically irradiate each acupoint for 15 to 20 minutes to provide warmth. Feeling is the measure.
The above methods are all used once a day, and 10 times constitute a course of treatment, which lasts for 5 to 7 days.
(3) Efficacy evaluation
The above method was used to treat 282 cases, and 111 cases were cured, 112 cases were markedly effective, 44 cases were effective, and 15 cases were ineffective. The total effective rate was 94.7 %[20～23].
Non-surgical treatment of cervical spondylosis
The treatment methods of cervical spondylosis can be divided into two categories: non-surgical therapy and surgical treatment. At present, for the treatment of cervical spondylosis, most medical experts advocate non-surgical treatment, and only a few cases require surgical treatment. Non-surgical therapy is a comprehensive therapy that combines traditional Chinese and Western medicine. One or two or three methods can be selected and implemented simultaneously according to different situations. They are introduced as follows:
▲Manual massage therapy
This is the main method of traditional Chinese medicine to treat cervical spondylosis, and it is also a more effective treatment measure for cervical spondylosis. Its therapeutic effect is to relieve the tension and spasm of the neck and shoulder muscles, restore cervical spine activity, and relieve nerve root and soft tissue adhesions to relieve symptoms.
▲Cervical traction therapy
This is a more effective and widely used treatment method for cervical spondylosis. This therapy is suitable for all types of cervical spondylosis and is more effective for early cases.
▲Physiotherapy
In the treatment of cervical spondylosis, physiotherapy can play a variety of roles. It is generally believed that in the acute stage, general iontophoresis, ultrasound, ultraviolet light or intermittent current can be used; after the pain is relieved, ultrasound, iodine iontophoresis, induction electricity or other heat therapy can be used.
▲Warm compress
This treatment can improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm, eliminate swelling to reduce symptoms, and help stabilize the affected vertebra after manual treatment. This method can be used for local external application with hot towels and hot water bottles. It is best to use traditional Chinese medicine fumigation and washing formula for hot compress. Patients with severe pain symptoms in the acute phase should not be treated with warm compresses.
▲Drug treatment
Drugs can play an auxiliary symptomatic treatment role in the treatment of this disease. You can choose to use analgesics, sedatives, vitamins (such as B1, B12), vascular Dilators and Chinese herbal medicines, etc., have a certain effect on alleviating symptoms. In addition, while manual treatment of cervical spondylosis, patients are treated based on TCM syndrome differentiation, which can improve the curative effect, shorten the course of treatment, and reduce the patient's pain. Common clinical types and empirical prescriptions are introduced below.
(1) TCM syndrome differentiation type: cold-dampness blocking collateral type
(This type is common in cervical spondylosis, neck type and nerve root type): headache or pain in the occiput, neck stiffness , unfavorable side rotation, soreness, pain and numbness in one or both shoulders, arms and fingers; or headache involving upper back pain, cold and damp skin, aversion to cold and liking of heat, and swollen soft tissue nodules can be palpable next to the cervical spine. The tongue is light red, the fur is thin and white, and the pulse is thin and stringy. It is treated by warming the meridians and activating blood circulation, dispelling cold and removing dampness, unblocking collaterals and relieving pain.
Prescriptions: Guizhi, Qianghuo, Clematis, Genzi, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Angelica tail, Pueraria lobata, Gastrodia elata, Pao Jia Zhu, Fried Shenqu, red peony root.
The prescription contains Qianghuo, Lingxian, Gastrodia elata and Gentianae, which can dispel cold, dehumidify and relieve pain; Chuanxiong and Gastrodia elata treat headaches. Guizhi, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Guiwei, red peony root, and Paojia beads warm the meridians, activate blood circulation, and unblock collaterals; Pueraria lobata relieves spasms, Divine Comedy strengthens the spleen and stomach, and Licorice harmonizes various medicines.
(2) TCM syndrome differentiation type: Qi and blood deficiency combined with blood stasis type
(This type is common in vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis): dizziness, dizziness, blurred vision or visual acuity Pain in the eyes, weakness, poor appetite, sore neck, or pain in the shoulders. The tongue is light red or fat, with tooth marks on the edges. The fur is thin, white and moist. The pulse is thin and weak. The treatment is to replenish qi and nourish blood, refresh the brain and calm the mind, activate blood circulation and unblock meridians.
Prescription: Gastrodia elata, astragalus, licorice, Codonopsis root, fried Atractylodes, Rehmannia glutinosa, amomum villosum, angelica root, white peony root, and Millet Spatholobus.
The prescription contains roasted astragalus, roasted licorice, Codonopsis root, and stir-fried Atractylodes to replenish Qi; Rehmannia glutinosa, Chuanxiong, white peony root, and angelica nourish blood; Gastrodia, Chuanxiong, and Millet Spatholobus calm the nerves and strengthen the brain, activate blood circulation, unblock meridians, and strengthen sand. Benevolence regulates qi and regulates stomach stagnation.
(3) TCM syndrome differentiation type: Qi and Yin deficiency combined with blood stasis type
(This type is common in vertebral artery type and sympathetic type cervical spondylosis): dizziness attacks repeatedly, severe cases Dozens of times a day, vision rotates even when lying in bed, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, weakness, unsteady walking, palpitations, shortness of breath, irritability, dry throat and bitter mouth, poor sleep and many dreams. The tongue is red, the coating is thin and white or yellowish and dry, or the tongue surface is peeled off without coating, and the sublingual veins are swollen. The pulse is deep, thin and rapid, or stringy and rapid. The treatment is to replenish qi and nourish yin, soothe the nerves and refresh the brain, and reconcile qi and blood.
Prescriptions: Gastrodia elata, Chuanxiong, Hangzhou chrysanthemum, wolfberry, Adenophora adenophora, Zhigancao, fried jujube kernel, fried cypress kernel, Zhiyuanzhi, white peony root, salvia miltiorrhiza, earthworm, and night leaf.
The prescription contains roasted licorice, adenophora, white peony root, and wolfberry to nourish qi and yin; gastrodia elata, chrysanthemum, fried jujube kernels, roasted cypress kernels, polygala root, and nocturnal vine to refresh the brain, improve intelligence, and nourish the brain. Calming the mind; Chuanxiong, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Dilong activating blood circulation, unblocking meridians and relieving pain.
(4) TCM syndrome differentiation type: spleen and kidney yang deficiency and blood stasis type
(This type is common in patients with postoperative sequelae of cervical spondylotic myelopathy or those who cannot be cured after long-term treatment); incomplete paralysis of the limbs (hard joints) Paralysis or limp paralysis), incontinence of urine and feces, fear of cold and preference for warmth, normal diet or poor appetite. The tongue is light red, the fur is thin and white or slightly greasy, and the pulse is deep and stringy, or deep and weak. Treatment is to nourish the kidney and spleen, warm the meridians and yang, strengthen the muscles and bones.
Recipes: Rehmannia glutinosa, jujube bark, dried ginger, turtle glue, antler glue, cannon shell beads, white mustard seeds, fried eucommia, achyranthes root, yam, fried divine song, white peony root, Sichuan cinnamon twig, Cinnamon, licorice.
In the prescription, Rehmannia glutinosa, fried Eucommia ulmoides, and Achyranthes bidentata nourish the kidneys and blood; antler glue and tortoise shell glue fill in the marrow, strengthen muscles and bones; jujube bark nourishes the liver and kidneys, reduces astringency and stops lingering; Sichuan cinnamon twigs and cinnamon Warm the meridians and soothe the yang; dried ginger, yam, roasted licorice, and stir-fried Divine Comedy strengthen the spleen and stomach, warm the yang and replenish the qi; white mustard seed removes phlegm and dissipates stagnation; canojiazhu softens the hardness and dissipates stagnation, unblocks the meridians and activates the meridians.
Prevention
1. Prevention of cervical spondylosis
(1) Read books about cervical spondylosis and master scientific methods to prevent and treat diseases.
(2) Maintain an optimistic spirit, establish a mindset of fighting against the disease, and cooperate with doctor’s treatment to reduce recurrence.
(3) Strengthen the exercise of neck and shoulder muscles. During work or after work, do forward flexion, backward extension and rotation of the head and upper limbs, which can not only relieve fatigue, but also develop muscles. The toughness is enhanced, which is beneficial to the stability of the cervical spine and enhances the ability of the neck and shoulders to adapt to sudden changes in the neck
(4) Avoid the bad habit of sleeping on a high pillow, which causes the head to bend forward and increase the size of the neck. The stress on the lower cervical spine may accelerate cervical spine degeneration.
(5) Keep your neck and shoulders warm, avoid bearing heavy objects on your head and neck, avoid excessive fatigue, and do not doze off while riding in the car.
(6) Treat neck, shoulder, and back soft tissue strains as early as possible and thoroughly to prevent them from developing into cervical spondylosis.
(7) Avoid flashes and bruises when working or walking.
(8) Workers who work at their desks for a long time should change their head position regularly and do neck and shoulder muscle exercises on a regular basis.
(9) Pay attention to the correct posture of your head, neck, shoulders and back, do not tilt your head and shrug your shoulders, and look straight on when talking or reading. Keep your spine straight.
(10) Traditional Chinese medicine believes that walnuts, cornus, raw rehmannia, black sesame, etc. have the function of nourishing the kidney marrow. Taking them in reasonable amounts in small amounts can strengthen the muscles and bones and delay the degeneration of the kidneys and joints.
2. Beds for patients with cervical spondylosis
Each type of bed has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are related to the individual’s place of residence, climate, living habits, and economic status. However, from the perspective of preventing cervical spondylosis, it is better to choose a bed that is conducive to stabilizing the condition and maintaining spinal balance. Therefore, it is better to choose a Simmons mattress with elasticity on the bed board.
It can adjust with the changes in the physiological curve of the spine.
3. Pillows for patients with cervical spondylosis
Pillows are the main tool for maintaining the normal position of the head and neck. This "normal" position refers to maintaining the physiological curve of the head and neck segment itself. This weight curve not only ensures the external muscle balance of the cervical spine, but also maintains the physiological anatomical state within the spinal canal. Therefore, an ideal pillow should conform to the physiological curvature requirements of the cervical spine, be soft in texture, have good air permeability, and should be in the shape of an ingot with a low middle and high ends. Because this shape can use the central depression to maintain the physiological curvature of the cervical spine, it can also play a role in relative braking and fixation of the head and neck, which can reduce abnormal movements of the head and neck during sleep.
Secondly, it is also very important to choose the content of the pillow core. Commonly used ones are:
① Buckwheat skin: cheap, good air permeability, and the height of the pillow can be adjusted at any time. ② Pu velvet: soft texture, good breathability, and the height can be adjusted at any time. ③Mung bean shell: not only has good ventilation, but also is cool and relieves heat. It would be better if you add an appropriate amount of tea or mint, but it is mainly used in summer. Others such as duck feathers are also good, but the price is higher.
The pillow should not be too high or too low. Avoid "sit back and relax". The physiological position is better. Generally speaking, the pillow height should be 8 to 15cm, or calculated according to the formula:
( Shoulder width - head width) ÷ 2.
Cervical pillows can also play a preventive or therapeutic role.
Main references
[1] Song Yiqin, et al. Electromyography was used to test the efficacy of warm acupuncture at Jiaji point on cervical spondylosis. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture 1983;(2):34.
[2] Wang Guoxiong. Clinical observation on 160 cases of cervical spondylosis treated with acupuncture combined with manipulation. Chinese Acupuncture 1988;8(6):9.
[3]Zhou Zhijie, et al. 1337 cases of cervical spondylosis were treated with deep acupuncture at Ya 1 to 4 points. Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine 1988;9(5):204.
[4]Wei Yi. Observation on the efficacy of acupuncture in treating cervical spondylosis in 36 cases. Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine 1988;9(5):204.
[5] Zhang Ren, et al. Observation on the efficacy of Zhang Tongqing, a veteran Chinese medicine practitioner, in treating cervical spondylosis. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1985;(3):28.
[6] Zhao Guilan. Observation on the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of cervical spondylosis in 52 cases. Journal of Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1986;(3):34.
[7]Wu Cailin. Observation on the efficacy of 136 cases of cervical spondylosis treated mainly with acupuncture. Chinese Acupuncture 1988;8(3):19.
[8]Zhou Yunpeng. Clinical observation on 250 cases of cervical syndrome treated with acupuncture. Chinese Acupuncture 1986;6(2):14.
[9]Lin Yingchun. Acupuncture at Jiaji combined with elderly care was used to treat 138 cases of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1987;22(2):69.
[10] Zhang Wenming, et al. Observation on the efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of cervical spondylosis in 30 cases. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture 1985;(1):9.
[11]Xu Hengzhao, et al. Acupoint injection of wild papaya to treat 202 cases of cervical spondylosis and its effect on acupoint temperature and pain threshold. Selected abstracts of acupuncture papers (Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Society), 1987: 116, Beijing.
[12]Zhou Jipu. 60 cases of cervical spondylosis were treated with water acupuncture at Dazhui point. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1986;21(7):310.
[13] Kuang Shi En. Vitamin E acupoint injection combined with massage to treat cervical syndrome. Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine 1986;21(2):24.
[14]Xu Mingying. Clinical observation on 70 cases of cervical spondylosis treated with acupoint injection of acetic acid, Queyanshusone A. Chinese Acupuncture 1987;7(2):37.
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