Joumal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, Apr. 2003, Vol.1, No.

9 43 9

Observation on Therapeutic Effect of Hydro-acupuncture

in the Treatment of Cervical Headache
WANG Dong-yan( Y_ ,~,)~), HE Tian-xi( ~jq~-~-=)
Hospital of Jiuquan Region, Gansu 735000, China
Abstract: In 40 cases of headache treated by hydroacupuncture plus Tuina, in comparison with 35 cases
treated with medications plus Tuina, the results showed
that the therapeutic effect was better in the treatment
group than in the control group.
Key Words: Headache; Hydro-acupuncture; Tuina;
Massage

Cervical headache refers to a headache, often accompanied by discomfort in the neck, shoulder and
back, caused by muscular spasm and compression of
the nerves and blood vessels in the neck related to
osteopathy of the cervical vertebras, protrusion of
cervical intravertebral disc and soft tissue injury. In
the recent years, we have treated 40 cases of cervical
headache by acupoint-injecting method plus Chinese
massage therapy, and 35 cases were treated with oral
medications and Chinese massage therapy to compare
the therapeutic effect. Now, the report is given in the
following.

Clinical Materials
1. General materials
In 40 cases in the treatment group, there were 15
males and 25 females, with the age ranging from 16
to 64 years old, at the average age of 34, and with the
duration ranging from 3 days to 14 years. In 35 cases
in the control group, there were 16 males and 19 females, with the age ranging from 20 to 58 years old,
at the average age of 35, and with the duration ranging from 6 days to 11 years.
In sex, age and duration of the two groups, statistical analysis show P > 0.05 and there had comparability, In all cases, the diagnosis was confirmed by Xray photography, CT or MRI for 1 to 3 times, to exclude headache caused by cranial organic diseases,
ENT diseases or epilepsy.
2. Diagnostic criteria
( 1 ) Remittent or constant headache, pain and
aching discomfort in the neck, accompanied by dizziness, distending sensation in the eyes, heavy pain in
the shoulder and back, numb sensation in the fingers

in some patients.
( 2 ) Muscular tension, obvious tenderness and
nodes in the neck, tenderness in Fengchi (GB 20),
palpable deviation of the spinous process of the cervical vertebra in some patients.
( 3 ) Neck lifting test ( + ).
(4) Spiral dislocation of C1~, change of physiological curve, hyperosteogeny of cervical vertebras and
protrusion of cervical intravertebral disc, seen in Xray images.

Therapeutic Methods
1. Treatment group
9 Hydro-acupuncture
Acupoints :Fengchi (GB 20), Jiaji C2_3(Ex-B2)
Operation: The solution mixed with 5 ml of 0.5 % lidocaine, 4ml of ligustrazine, 100 ug of Vitamin B12
and l ml of scopolamine was injected into Fengchi
(GB 20), Jiaji C2_3(Ex-B 2) by No.10 syringe perpendicularly following the skin of the acupoints were
sterilized routinely. It was requested to induce the
needling sensation to the forehead. 10ml of 10% glucose and 4ml of Salviae Injection could be applicable.
The treatment was given once every day, by 3 to 5
injections. After injection, the skin should be cleaned
and the needle hole should be covered with a piece of
plaster.
The above method was given once every day, with
10 times as one course of the treatments.
9 Chinese massage therapy
Chinese massage therapy was applied 5 minutes after the injection.
First of all, the thumb was used to knead the injected area lightly to promote dispersion of injection.
Then, reduction by pulling and holding methods
were employed. After the spinous process was fixed
by palpation in combination of X-ray image, the practitioner stood at the same side of the deviated spinous
process and embraced the patient' s head with one
arm and chest and put the rest four fingers of the
same hand in the opposite direction, to pinch and