Comparison of efficacy between electroacupuncture and the combination of collateral bloodletting, cupping, and acupoint application for cervical spondylosis radiculopathy (CRS)

ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of treating young patients with cervical spondylosis radiculopathy (CRS) by collateral bloodletting, cupping, and acupoint application.MethodsSixty-one CRS patients were randomly divided into an acupoint application group (group A, 31 cases) and an electroacupuncture group (group B, 30 cases). Both sides of the spine and scapula were treated with collateral bloodletting, cupping, and acupoint application over Ashi points in group A. The following points received electroacupuncture in group B: Jiāji ( EX-B2), Fēngchí ( GB 20), Jiānjing ( GB 21), jiānyú ( LI 15), Wàiguān ( TE 5), Hòuxī ( SI 3) and DàzhuT ( GV 14). Patients in the two groups were compared in terms of scores for total symptoms and signs, and the theraputic effect of each method was analyzed.ResultsTotal score of symptoms and signs of the two groups were both more significantly improved compared to that before treatment (9.96 ± 2.02 vs 15.87 ± 1.84, P<0.05 in group A; 10.02 ± 1.76 vs 13.59 ± 1.52, P<0.05 in group B). The differences in two groups before and after treatment were 5.91 ± 1.95 in group A, 3.53 ± 1.68 in group B, they were statistically significant (P<0.05). The total effective rate of group A [93.6% (29/31)] was better than that of group B [83.3% (25/30)], and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionGood therapeutic effects can be achieved in treating young CRS patients with collateral bloodletting, cupping, and acupoint application.