Sa kasalukuyan, dahil sa modernisasyon ng lipunan, ang mga gawi at estilo ng buhay ng tao ay nagbago nang malaki, at maraming "modern diseases" ang lumalabas. Ang cervical spondylosis ay isa sa mga ito. Ang dating spondylosis na nakakasakit lamang sa matanda ay lumalala sa mga middle-aged at young adults, kahit ang mga estudyante ay madalas may sakit sa leeg at ulo. Kung hindi agad na maiwasan, ito ay maaaring makaapekto sa pang-araw-araw na buhay, trabaho, at kalusugan. Malubha, maaaring magdulot ng paralysis dahil sa spinal cord compression, o maaaring magdulot ng cerebral cell malnutrition dahil sa kakulangan ng blood supply, na nagdudulot ng memory loss at magdudulot ng senility.
Dahil sa dami ng blood vessels at nerves sa paligid ng cervical spine, at dahil ito ay nakakaapekto sa maraming function ng katawan, kaya maaaring magdulot ng maraming sintomas tulad ng isip, leeg, braso, mata, tenga, ilong, lalamunan, organo ng loob, at nervous system dysfunction. Kaya tinatawag ito bilang "cervical syndrome", kung saan ang "cervico-shoulder syndrome" ay ang pinakakaraniwan.
Cervico-shoulder syndrome (karaniwang uri ng cervical spondylosis) ay isang grupo ng sintomas na may pakiramdam ng cold sa shoulder at back, sakit sa leeg at shoulder, na lumalayo patungo sa braso o kamay, kasama ang pagka-stiff, numbness, at swelling. Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga epektibong paraan ng paggamot ay limitado, at maraming pasyente ang nahihirapan, kahit na nakakaiwan ng insomnia at pagkabalisa.
Ang acupuncture department of Longhua Hospital's Pudong branch has developed a comprehensive treatment plan for this condition, achieving highly satisfactory results. We first apply the theory of syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine, believing that this condition is primarily due to deficiency of liver and kidney, and lack of nourishment to tendons and bones, while the secondary cause is obstruction of meridians by wind, cold, and dampness causing pain. This is a case of deficiency with excess. The main treatment principle is to strengthen the body and expel pathogens, and unblock the meridians. Based on meridian differentiation, we classify the condition into four types according to the direction of the affected meridians:
1. Pain and stiffness along the side of the neck, radiating to the outer upper shoulder and elbow (Quchi point), extending to the outer upper forearm—this is a disorder of the Hand Yangming Meridian. We select points such as Jugu, Jianyu, Quchi, and Shousanli; if necessary, add Futi point.
2. Pain in the inner front of the shoulder, radiating to the inner elbow (Shaohai point), along the inner posterior edge of the forearm to the palm and the little finger and ring finger, with numbness and swelling—this is a disorder of the Hand Shaoyin Meridian. We select points such as Jiquan, Qingling, Shaohai, and Shaofu; if necessary, add Jingbi point.
3. Pain in the upper trapezius and supraspinatus muscles, or deep pain in the scapula, radiating along the posterior axillary line (Yueyu, Jianzhen points), the outer posterior arm, the posterior elbow, the outer posterior forearm, to the dorsum of the hand, ring finger, and little finger—this is a disorder of the Hand Taiyang Meridian. We select points such as Jianjing, Quyuan, Tianzong, Jianzhen, Tianjing, Yanglao, and Zhongzhu.
4. Stiffness and soreness at the lower part of the neck (C6, C7), accompanied by cold sensation in the upper back, pain between the thoracic spine and scapula—this is a disorder of the Foot Taiyang Meridian. We select points such as Dazhu, Juelyinshu, Dushu, Fufen, Gao Huang, and Geguan.
These four types may occur independently or simultaneously. Treatment involves selecting points accordingly, pairing each type with corresponding back-shu points, and injecting Chinese herbal injections containing Danggui, Huangqi, and Weilingxian into the acupoints. This method strengthens the body (using Danggui, Huangqi to nourish qi and blood) and removes pathogens (by clearing the meridians through acupoints). For severe blockage and long-standing pain, small needle knife therapy is added to remove stasis. As long as the diagnosis is accurate, the points are properly chosen, and the technique is appropriately applied (especially cautious with points along the neck and needle knife), excellent results can be achieved. From our experience, patients who suffer unbearable pain and cannot sleep can fall asleep peacefully after just one or two sessions. Of course, residual mild pain will take time to disappear because relieving the pressure from bone spurs and soft tissue adhesions requires time.
It is important to emphasize that this condition should not be mistaken for early-stage frozen shoulder, which would lead to ineffective treatment. Although similar to frozen shoulder, it is not the same. The reason is that frozen shoulder is primarily characterized by soft tissue adhesion around the shoulder joint, with symptoms of pain and restricted movement, whereas this condition does not involve joint adhesion or restricted movement—it is pain caused by cervical compression and radiation.
Finally, patients should be reminded that maintaining neck hygiene and caring for neck muscles is crucial, even decisive for treatment outcomes. Specific practices include: avoiding prolonged forward head bending or keeping the neck in one position for too long; regularly doing neck exercises to stretch neck muscles; choosing a pillow that is neither too high nor too low, too soft nor too hard—recommend using a millet-filled pillow or similar that can adjust its shape to fit your cervical curvature; and ensuring the neck is well-supported, never just supporting the head without supporting the neck, as this will only increase neck fatigue and worsen or trigger the condition.
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