[Effect of balance acupotomy combined with warm needling in treatment of cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical efficacy of balance acupotomy combined with warm needling in treatment of cervical spondylopathy of vertebral artery type (CSA).

METHODS

Ninety patients were randomly divided into a warm needling group, a balance acupotomy group and a combined treatment group, 30 cases in each one. In the warm needling group, warm needling was given, once daily, for 5 days consecutively, with the interval of 2 days every week, and the treatment was conducted for 3 weeks. In the combined treatment group, on the base of the treatment as the warm needling group, the balance acupotomy was exerted, for consecutive 3 weeks. In the balance acupotomy group, the balance acupotomy was adopted, once a week, for 3 weeks consecutively. Clinical efficacy, the mean blood flow velocity of left vertebral artery (LVA), right vertebral artery (RVA) and basilar artery (BA), the pulse index (PI) and the resistance index (RI) were observed in 3 groups separately. The score of vertigo symptom and function was compared before and after treatment in 3 groups.

RESULTS

In comparison with before treatment, the score of evaluation scale for cervical vertigo (ESCV) and the mean blood flow velocity of LVA, RVA and BA were all increased (<0.05). while PI and RI reduced (<0.05) in each group after treatment. In comparison with those in the warm needling group and the balance acupotomy group, ESCV score and the mean blood flow velocity of LVA, RVA and BA were increased (<0.05), while PI and RI decreased (<0.05) in the combined treatment group after treatment. Compared with the balance acupotomy group, the mean blood flow velocity of LVA, RVA and BA was increased (<0.05), and PI and RI reduced (<0.05) in the warm needling group after treatment. The total effective rate was 73.3% (22/30) in the warm needling group, 70.0% (21/30) in the balance acupotomy group and 93.3% (28/30) in the combined treatment group respectively. The total effective rate in the combined treatment group was higher than that either in the warm needling group or in the balance acupotomy group (<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Balance acupotomy combined with warm needling may restore the mechanical equilibrium state of the neck, and effectively improve the change of vertebral-basilar artery blood flow and relieve vertigo symptoms in patient with of cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type.