Effects and mechanisms of needle pricking therapy and rotating-pulling manipulation on blood velocity of patients with vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of needle pricking therapy plus rotating-pulling manipulation and rotating-pulling manipulation on blood velocity,angiokinesis,and blood viscosity in patients with vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis(CSA),and discuss its mechanisms.Methods: 216 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups according to numeric representation,108cases in the treatment group were treated by needle pricking therapy plus rotating pulling manipulation,and 108 cases in the control group were treated by rotating pulling manipulation.The peak systolic blood velocity(Vpeak),end diastolic blood velocity(Vmin),pulsatile index(PI)and resistant index(RI)of the bilateral vertebral arteries(VA)and basilar arteries(BA)were examined by transcranial doppler sonography(TCD).The values of whole blood apparent viscosity and plasma viscosity of both groups were recorded.The indexes before and after treatment of both groups were compared.Results: The therapeutic effects of the above-mentioned indexes of the treatment group were significantly superior to those of the control group(P<0.05).In comparison with pre-treatment,the whole blood apparent viscosity(high,medium and low shear rates)and plasma viscosity of the treatment group post-treatment were obviously reduced(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion: Needle pricking therapy combined with pulling-rotating manipulation can significantly improve VATCS patients' clinical symptoms,which may be closely related to its effects in lowering vascular blood resistance and blood viscosity and increasing cerebral blood supply.