A large cohort study in South Korea suggests cervical surgery rates are lower in patients who receive acupuncture. Patients with neck pain from acupuncture and control groups, were matched for several demographic factors. Each group contained over 50 000 patients.
The hazard ratio for surgery within two years was found to be significantly lower in the acupuncture group compared to the control group, and this result was observed consistently across all age, gender and income strata. The authors conclude that acupuncture may be an effective way of managing the condition, and has the potential to help patients avoid unnecessary surgery.
(Cervical surgery rate in neck pain patients with and without acupuncture treatment: a retrospective cohort study. Acupuncture in Medicine, 20 August 2019.)
Author: Robin Costello
I offer traditional Chinese acupuncture in Exeter, from a tranquil clinic a mile from the city centre, and next to the University of Exeter. I graduated originally from the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s 3 year full time Acupuncture Diploma (DipAc) course. I am on the practitioners register of the British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC), a regulatory and professional body with an entry standard of a full three year undergraduate degree level training.
I have worked in a hospital in south west China, deepening my knowledge and using acupuncture and Chinese massage (tuina) as the treatment of choice in its country of origin. I have taught Chinese medicine in colleges, the NHS and at university level. I also practise Qi Gong, and Chinese dietary therapy, that is the medicinal use of ordinary foods, chosen to help achieve particular therapeutic effects in different individuals.
View all posts by Robin Costello
