Acupuncture treatment of cervical spondylosis

BACKGROUND: Cervical spondylosis is one of the most common progressive degenerative diseases of the human spine which are caused by the aging process and most often in people older than 40 years. Acupuncture as a treatment for cervical spondylosis is used very often, it has no side effect and it’s completely safe. Acupuncture can help alleviate the symptoms of cervical spondylosis by improving the flow of the Qi energy through the channels and removing the blockages in the meridians. AIM: The main purpose of this work is to show the results and efficacy of the research and analysis done for the patients diagnosed with cervical spondylosis treated with acupuncture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was done in 'Tong Da Tang' clinic for Tradicional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture in Skopje and were included 30 male and female patients who were diagnosed with cervical spondylosis in the past year. All the patients were effectively cured with the treatment, which were done by Spec. Dr. Zhu Jihe. All the patients had acupuncure on the acupoints (all located on the neck and head) : Du16 (Fengfu), Du20 (Baihui), Du21 (Qianding), SJ16 (Tiannyou), Bl10 (Tianzhu), SI15 (Jianzhongshu), SI14 ( Jianwaishu). The therapies were done in a closed room on temperature of 25o with duration of 35-40 minutes. RESULTS: From the analysis, although there is no big difference, we can see that women are more likely to suffer from cervical spondylosis than men. The most common age group is of 50-60 years, with average age for men – 55 and for women 64. Men are affected earlier, by the age of 50 and women by the age of 60. The number of the treatments is different for all the patients, but on average for the efficiency 8 treatments were needed. The most common symptom is neck pain and dizziness and headache may appear as first symptoms of cervical spondylosis. CONCLUSION: As a part of the 5000 years old Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture gives excellent results in the treatment of cervical spondylosis and this evidence-based research is a proof that it is generally safe and effective treatment in treating of cervical spondylosis