Tuina Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis
This condition arises from various causes, but most commonly due to age-related degenerative changes in cervical tissues—such as bony spurs compressing nerves or blood vessels, or irritating local tissues leading to sterile inflammation, resulting in a series of symptoms known as cervical syndrome. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes this to weakened constitution, kidney deficiency, and disrupted qi and blood, leading to blocked meridians and impaired tendons and bones. Symptoms include numbness, pain in the head, neck, shoulders, arms, weakness in limbs, dizziness, palpitations, and urinary or fecal incontinence. Current treatment methods include:
Tuina Techniques:
Seated position with head slightly forward, exposing the neck (weak individuals may lie prone with chest inclined). Begin with one-finger meditation push and kneading along the midline of the neck from Fengfu to Yamen to Dazhui. Similarly, work on both sides from Fengchi down to Dazhu. Repeat for 5–10 minutes. Next, press and stimulate Tianzhu, Jianzhongshu, Jianwaiyu, and Tianzong acupoints 5–10 times each. Then apply the "Ye" technique (a grasping and rolling motion) to the neck and shoulder-arm region for 3–5 minutes.
Next, sit again. The practitioner stands behind, uses one thumb to press the tender vertebral area, and with the other elbow lifts the patient’s chin upward and forward, simultaneously gently rotating the head—often producing a cracking sound indicating realignment.
If symptoms such as numbness, swelling, trembling, or weakness in the upper limbs exist, add the following techniques:
Seated patient. Practitioner stands behind, holds the jaw with both hands, gently lifts upward for 1–3 minutes to relieve symptoms and promote relaxation.
Then, support the forehead with one hand and knead the neck bilaterally from Fengchi to Jianjing, moving downward in repeated kneading motions, 10–15 times. For long-standing cases with forearm and hand muscle atrophy, accompanied by headache, dizziness, or scalp pain, perform gentle manipulation: grasp and knead the affected arm 5–10 times. Apply friction technique until warmth is felt, then knead and press the Neiguan and Wai Guan points for 1–3 minutes each. Press He Gu point for 1–3 minutes. Use the thenar eminence to massage the affected side of the face for 3–5 minutes, followed by combing motions with the hand for 1–3 minutes to induce comfort.