Is acupuncture effective for cervical spondylosis?
Mar 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
The therapeutic effect of acupuncture on cervical spondylosis mainly depends on the severity of the condition. For mild cervical spondylosis, acupuncture treatment yields relatively satisfactory results, effectively relieving symptoms such as muscle pain and stiffness. However, for severe cervical spondylosis accompanied by significant nerve, spinal cord, or vertebral artery compression, the effectiveness of acupuncture is limited, and medication should be combined to alleviate pain.
Generally speaking, whether acupuncture is effective in treating cervical spondylosis mainly depends on the severity of the condition. Acupuncture may be beneficial for mild cervical spondylosis, but may not be very effective for severe cases. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If the cervical spondylosis is mild and the patient currently has no particularly severe symptoms, with normal neck mobility and no compression of surrounding nerve roots, following medical advice to undergo moxibustion treatment usually has certain benefits. Acupuncture can stimulate local acupoints, thereby restoring normal blood circulation in the cervical region and helping to relieve symptoms such as neck muscle pain, stiffness, and numbness.
However, if the cervical spondylosis is severe and the patient also experiences significant nerve root compression, spinal cord compression, or vertebral artery compression, acupuncture alone may not be very effective. In such cases, timely medical guidance is needed to use medications such as loxoprofen sodium tablets, ibuprofen sustained-release tablets, or celecoxib capsules for treatment.
It should be noted that the effectiveness of acupuncture varies from person to person. Therefore, regular monitoring during treatment is necessary, and the treatment plan and course should be adjusted according to recovery progress and effectiveness to promote recovery. Meanwhile, adequate rest should be ensured during treatment to avoid strain on the cervical spine.
