Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis develop, including bony projections along the edges of bones (bone spurs).

Cervical spondylosis is very common and worsens with age. More than 85% of people older than age 60 are affected by cervical spondylosis.

Symptoms

Most people experience no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they typically include pain and stiffness in the neck.

Sometimes, cervical spondylosis results in a narrowing of the space needed by the spinal cord and the nerve roots that pass through the spine to the rest of your body. If the spinal cord or nerve roots become pinched, you might experience:

• Tingling, numbness and weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet
• Lack of coordination and difficulty walking
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Clinical Case 2019 by Dr. Melinda Lei (Researcher)

Patient's Chief Complaint: Constant pain in her neck, upper back and radiating to her arms

MRI Report

MRI CERVICAL SPINE WO CONTRAST

CLINICAL INFORMATION: Neck pain.

TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar multisequence MR imaging of the cervical spine was performed without the administration of IV contrast.

COMPARISON: None.

FINDINGS:

Vertebral body heights and alignment are normal.

No abnormal bone marrow signal.

No prevertebral soft tissue swelling.

No acute fracture or malalignment.

No cord signal abnormality.

IMPRESSION:

C3-C4: Minimal bilateral uncovertebral spurring.

C4-C5: Minimal bilateral uncovertebral spurring.

C5-C6: Broad-based disc bulge asymmetric to the right with right uncovertebral spurring and mild right foraminal narrowing.

C6-C7: Broad-based disc bulge asymmetric to the right with right uncovertebral spurring and mild right foraminal narrowing. Possible impingement of the right C7 nerve root.

C7-T1: No significant disc bulge, spinal canal stenosis or foraminal narrowing.

No spinal canal stenosis or cord compression.

Patient's History:

51 years old female, a programmer, working at a desk for a long time, neck pain for many years, right hand numbness, shoulder pain, back pain, stomach upset, no injury. She is very stressful because of her busy work.

My technique:

1. Touching and pressing the painful area, the muscles are tight.
2. Find the pain points (trigger points), the pain is serious, and the most painful part is the most effective acupuncture point.
3. Finding dermatome affected areas and the meridians of the hands affected, selecting acupuncture points along the relevant meridians.

My findings:

1. The skin of the dermatome affected areas is much more sensitive to touch and pain than other normal skin areas.
2. Many small nodules and sands under the skin.
3. There are many sensitive points along the meridians of the hands affected.

Where is each dermatome located?

Dermatome Chart: C2-S5

Acupuncture Treatment:

1. The acupoints were treated based on neuroanatomy, they were ashi points, and the pain disappeared after the acupuncture treatment.
2. The acupuncture treatment combined warm needling with infrared lights
3. The acupuncture treatments were given twice a week, and after 8 times treatments, the patient got better.