How to Treat Cervical Spondylosis to Alleviate Numbness in the Hands
Sep 05, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, the main treatments for relieving hand numbness caused by cervical spondylosis include posture adjustment, physical therapy, medication, traditional Chinese medicine, and surgical treatment. Additionally, patients should avoid excessive neck strain during treatment, such as lifting heavy objects, and should have regular follow-up evaluations of their cervical spine condition. If hand numbness worsens and is accompanied by muscle weakness or unsteady gait, medical attention should be sought promptly.
Generally, the main treatments for relieving hand numbness caused by cervical spondylosis include posture adjustment, physical therapy, medication, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and surgical treatment. A detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Posture Adjustment
Hand numbness caused by cervical spondylosis is mostly due to compression of the cervical nerve roots. It is important to maintain proper posture daily and avoid looking down at mobile phones or computers for extended periods. Take breaks every 30 minutes during work or study to move around and perform "figure-of-eight" neck exercises to relax the neck muscles. Choosing a pillow of appropriate height helps maintain the natural physiological curvature of the cervical spine, reducing cervical compression and alleviating the causes of hand numbness at the source.
2. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can improve blood circulation in the neck and reduce nerve root compression to alleviate hand numbness. Commonly used methods include cervical traction and low-frequency pulse electrotherapy. Cervical traction can widen the intervertebral space and reduce pressure from intervertebral discs on the nerve roots. Low-frequency pulse electrotherapy stimulates the neck muscles, promotes local blood circulation, relieves muscle tension, and helps alleviate symptoms of hand numbness.
3. Medication
Medications can reduce inflammation and nerve root compression caused by cervical spondylosis, thus alleviating hand numbness. Patients may use medications such as mecobalamin tablets, vitamin B1 tablets, and celecoxib capsules under medical guidance. Mecobalamin and vitamin B1 tablets nourish the nerves and promote nerve repair, while celecoxib capsules reduce inflammation around the cervical spine and relieve nerve root irritation, thereby improving hand numbness.
4. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
According to TCM theory, hand numbness associated with cervical spondylosis is related to blocked meridians and insufficient qi and blood. Treatment often involves using Chinese herbs that promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and relieve pain by unblocking meridians, such as Jingfukang granules and Shujin Huoxue tablets. Acupuncture can stimulate neck acupoints, such as Dazhui (GV14) and Fengchi (GB20), to regulate qi and blood circulation, unblock meridians, and reduce nerve root compression, thereby helping alleviate hand numbness.
5. Surgical Treatment
If cervical spondylosis is severe—for example, in cases of myelopathic or nerve root types that do not respond to conservative treatment—surgical intervention may be necessary. A commonly used procedure is anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. This surgery removes the intervertebral disc tissue compressing the nerve roots, relieves nerve pressure, and restores cervical spine stability, effectively alleviating hand numbness. After surgery, patients should perform neck rehabilitation exercises under a physician's guidance.
In addition, patients should avoid excessive neck strain, such as lifting heavy objects, and have regular follow-up evaluations of their cervical spine condition during treatment. If hand numbness worsens and is accompanied by muscle weakness or difficulty walking, medical attention should be sought promptly to adjust the treatment plan and prevent further progression of the condition.
