OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of acupuncture and massage at the tendon in treatment of the upper limb flexor spasm after cervical operation.

METHODSFifty-six cases were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 30) treated with acupuncture and massage at the tendons, and a control group treated with traditional acupuncture and medication. Changes of F-wave, time limit and threshold value in electromyogram before and after treatment were investigated in the both groups.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the F-wave in the patient of the upper limb spasm post-cervical operation was characterized by high amplitude, long time limit and low threshold value, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05); after treatment, the amplitude lowered (P < 0.01), the time limit shortened (P < 0.001) in the treatment group and no significant changes were found in the control group (P > 0.05), but the amplitude of F-wave in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The threshold value significantly increased in the two groups, with the treatment group more significantly increased than the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and massage at tendons can relieve the spasm through lowing the excitement in the cells of the anterior horn of the spinal cord, decreasing the amplitude and time limit of the F-wave, increasing the threshold value and reducing traction reflection.