OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy between the four-hand-needling therapy and the routine needling therapy at neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) in the treatment of cervical spondylosis of neck type.

METHODSEighty patients of cervical spondylosis of neck type were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the observation group, Sanjian (LI 3), Wailaogong (EX-UE 8), Zhongzhu (TE 3) and Houxi (SI 3) on the affected side were selected. In the control group, the neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) on bilateral C, Cand Cwere selected. The treatment was given once every two days. The score of visual analogue scale (VAS) was observed before treatment, right after the first treatment, in a half of one month of treatment and in one month of treatment separately and the clinical efficacy was observed after 1-month treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, VAS score was reduced as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (all<0.05). The immediate VAS score after treatment in the observation group was reduced much more apparently as compared with that in the control group (<0.01). The curative rate was 52.5% (21/40) in the observation group and was 32.5% (13/40) in the control group and the total effective rates were 95.0% (38/40) and 82.5% (33/40) respectively. The efficacy in the observation group was better than that in the control group (both<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe four-hand-needling therapy and routine acupuncture at neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) all have the very good efficacy on cervical spondylosis of neck type with wind-cold-damp. The immediate efficacy of the four-hand-needling therapy is much more significant.