Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) is degeneration of the vertebrae in the neck, putting pressure on the nerve roots and causing such symptoms as pins-and-needles and pain in the arms and hands. A pilot study undertaken by Japanese researchers, has shown that acupuncture can be of benefit for this condition.
Fifteen patients diagnosed with CSR and upper extremity pain and/or pins-and-needles, were enrolled into the study; between them, there were 16 affected limbs, and 17 symptom scores of pain/pins-and-needles were gathered. Acupuncture was given once a week for four weeks. Improvement was observed in 90% of cases, with a significant reduction both in patients’ own assessment of their pain, and in function scores on a neck disability index. For 15 of the 17 symptom scores, there was a 50% reduction in symptoms. The improvements remained significant at follow-up after four weeks.
(Clinical effect of acupuncture on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: results of a case series. Acupuncture in Medicine, on-line 21 August 2013.)