OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect of warming needle at spinal nerves in front of transverse posterior tubercle of cervical vertebra and acupoints of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty cases were randomly divided into an observation group (120 cases) and a control group (60 cases). Both groups were treated with warming needle and cupping therapy. In the observation group, the transverse posterior tubercles of C2-C7 were selected as the safe points for inserting the needle towards the spinal nerves and warming the needle. In the control group, the corresponding acupoints of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) were deeply punctured. The rest treatment was same in the both groups.

RESULTSIn the observation group and the control group, the effective rate was 96.7% (116/120) and 78.3% (47/60) respectively, while the clinical curative rate was 74.2% (89/120) and 46.7% (28/60) respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONWarming needle at spinal nerves in front of transverse posterior tubercle of cervical vertebra, as a main therapy for treating cervical spondylosis of nerve root type, is a safe and effective method that is better than acupuncture at the acupoints of cervical Jiaii (EX-B 2).