Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of thread embedding at Shenshu, Ganshu and Taixi acupoints combined with electroacupuncture and acupressure massage in patients with cervicobrachial syndrome at Saint Paul General Hospital.
Subjects and methods: A controlled clinical intervention study was conducted on 60 patients diagnosed with cervicobrachial syndrome due to cervical spondylosis according to modern medical criteria and classified as having wind-cold-dampness syndrome accompanied by liver-kidney deficiency according to traditional medicine.
The patients were divided into two equal groups. Both groups received electroacupuncture and acupressure massage according to the Ministry of Health treatment protocol for 15 days. In addition, patients in the study group underwent thread embedding at Shenshu, Ganshu and Taixi acupoints on the first day of treatment.
Results: After 15 days of treatment, the mean VAS score in the study group decreased from 4.90 ± 0.96 points to 0.67 ± 0.80 points, representing a significantly greater reduction than that observed in the control group, whose mean VAS score decreased from 4.83 ± 1.09 points to 1.63 ± 0.85 points (p < 0.05). The NDI score in the study group decreased from 19.83 ± 6.00 points to 5.37 ± 4.07 points, which was significantly greater than the reduction observed in the control group, where the NDI score decreased from 18.57 ± 5.68 points to 8.63 ± 4.84 points; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Thread embedding at Shenshu, Ganshu, and Taixi acupoints combined with electroacupuncture and acupressure massage was effective in reducing pain and improving daily functional activities in patients with cervicobrachial syndrome due to cervical spondylosis.