OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of acupuncture at "cervical three points" combined with cake-separated moxibustion and routine acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) on cervical hyperosteogeny.

METHODSSingle blind, randomized and controlled methods were used and 91 cases were divided into an observation group of 46 cases and a control group of 45 cases. The observation group was treated by acupuncture at "cervical three points" combined with cake-separated moxibustion, i.e. acupuncture at Chonggu (EX), Dazhui (GV 14), Taodao (GV 13) and moxibustion at pain points with cake made by Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae and Radix Paeoniae Alba; the control group was treated with acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2). Changes of sourness and pain of the neck, the shoulder and back, pressure pain and cervical activity scores were used for assessment of therapeutic effects.

RESULTSThe markedly cured rate of 76.1% in the observation group was better than 42.2% in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of all the items were significantly improved in the two groups (all P<0.05), and the observation group in sourness and pain of the neck, the shoulder and back, and cervical activity were better than the control group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of acupuncture at "cervical three points" combined with cake-separated moxibustion on cervical hyperosteogeny is superior to routine acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2).