OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of acupotomy on cervicogenic headache and explore the function of cutaneous nerve entrapment in the mechanism of cervicogenic headache.

METHODSFrom October 2008 to June 2009, 82 patients with cervicogenic headache were treated with acupotomy. There were 23 males and 59 females, ranging in age from 17 to 73 years (averaged 41.57 years). The course of disease ranged from 0.5 to 50 years,with an average of 10.4 years. The location of treatment was occipitalia, both of left and right side: altogether were 8 points, including tenderness point of postmastoid; the mid-point between mastoid and C2 spinous process; the internal 1/3 attachment between occipital protuberance and mastoid process; the posterior midline of C2 spinous process open to 1.5-2 cm. The chief complaint of all patients was headache. PPI assessment rating was observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate at 1 month after treatment was 81.70% (67/82). Recurrence of headache within 3 months after treatment was obvious. However, 17.07% (14/82) patients did not reoccur at 6 months after treatment.

CONCLUSION17.07% patients with cervicogenic headache recovered by acupotomy, so it shows cutaneous nerve entrapment plays an important role in the mechanism of cervicogenic headache. For the patients whose headache recurred at 3 months after treatment, increasing the treatment time and therapeutic range is suggested.