The Ministry of Public Health has the policy to develop the healthcare system in 19 branches of medicine, one of which is the branch of Thai traditional and alternative medicine. The ministry’s spokesperson has revealed research results published in a public health academic journal on the use of acupuncture combined with Tuina massage to enhance treatment efficiency for cervical spondylosis patients, reducing pain levels, relaxing muscles in the neck, shoulders, and hips, increasing range of motion in all directions, improving laboratory markers of blood flow points, and suggesting an alternative treatment option alongside physical therapy and behavioral adjustment according to ergonomic principles.
The results of a study done on a sample group of 674 patients are summarized here. Patients were treated for cervical spondylosis by Tuina massage using techniques such as pressing, kneading, rubbing, compressing, or tapping at the base of the neck, shoulders, scapulae, and painful areas, as well as important acupuncture points. Then, acupuncture at the important acupuncture points and at the spinal joints between C2-C7 and trigger points, along the meridian lines and supplementary acupuncture points was administered as needed. It was found that the patients' pain levels decreased, the degree of cervical mobility increased in all directions, their quality of life improved, and the results of blood flow indicators in the laboratory improved, in comparison with their condition before the treatment.
Acupuncture combined with Tuina massage therapy is a natural and traditional Chinese medical treatment that emphasizes balancing the body. It is safe and has no harmful side effects in either the short or long term. However, some patients may experience bruises, sore muscles, or fatigue, which will disappear within 1-2 weeks, depending on each individual's physical condition. Therefore, it can be used as another treatment option to help improve patients' quality of life and develop safe methods of treating cervical spondylosis.
It is recommended that doctors follow up on the treatment results every three months to study the long-term duration of the disease's remission. In addition, it should be combined with physical therapy and behavioral adjustments, according to the principles of ergonomics, to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
Source : Royal Thai Government
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