Many people are prone to cervical spondylosis due to poor lifestyle habits. So where is the best place to cupping for cervical spondylosis?
Best Places for Cupping in Cervical Spondylosis
Jiaji Acupoint
1. Location of Jiaji Acupoint:
Jiaji acupoint is an extraordinary acupoint located on the back. It is located on both sides of the spine, from the first thoracic vertebra to the fifth lumbar vertebra, 0.5 cun away from the spinous process. There are 17 points on each side.
2. Method of selecting Jiaji Acupoint:
The patient should lie face down or prone. The acupoint is located 0.5 cun away from both sides of the spinous process, between the spinous processes.
3. Efficacy of Jiaji Acupoint:
Massaging Jiaji acupoint can relieve and treat cardiovascular and lung diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, sciatica, and low back pain.
Dazhui Acupoint
1. Location of Dazhui Acupoint:
Dazhui acupoint is located on the spine, on the midline of the back, below the seventh cervical vertebra. It can be accessed by bending the neck or lying prone.
2. Method of selecting Dazhui Acupoint:
When selecting the acupoint, the patient should sit with the head lowered. Dazhui acupoint is located on the midline of the back, at the lower end of the neck, in the depression below the seventh cervical vertebra, approximately level with the shoulder peaks. If the protruding bone is not very obvious, the patient can move the neck. The immobile joint is the first thoracic vertebra, approximately level with the shoulders.
3. Efficacy of Dazhui Acupoint:
It tonifies qi, strengthens yang, and has the functions of relieving exterior, tonifying deficiency, calming the mind, clearing heat, and stopping convulsions.
Jianjing Acupoint
1. Location of Jianjing Acupoint:
Jianjing acupoint is located on the shoulder, in the middle of the anterior straight breast line, on the line connecting Dazhui acupoint and the shoulder peak.
2. Method of selecting Jianjing Acupoint:
Jianjing acupoint is located on the shoulder, at the midpoint of the line connecting Dazhui acupoint and the shoulder peak. Alternatively, the acupoint can be located by pressing the fingers together, with the index finger touching the neck, and the acupoint is where the fingertip reaches.
3. Efficacy of Jianjing Acupoint:
It promotes the circulation of water and fluids. Jianjing acupoint has the functions of promoting the circulation of meridians and collaterals, resolving phlegm, opening the orifices, dispelling wind, and reducing swelling.
Tianzong Acupoint
1. Location of Tianzong Acupoint:
Tianzong acupoint is located in the scapular area, at the central depression below the acromion, level with the fourth thoracic vertebra. It belongs to the small intestine meridian.
2. Method of selecting Tianzong Acupoint:
In the seated or prone position, locate the acupoint at the intersection of the upper and middle thirds on the line between the lower edge of the scapular prominence and the lower corner of the scapula. Alternatively, draw a straight line connecting the lower edge of the scapular prominence and the lower corner of the scapula. The acupoint is located at the intersection with the line connecting the fourth thoracic vertebra's spinous process and the Tianzong acupoint.
3. Efficacy of Tianzong Acupoint:
Tianzong acupoint promotes the generation of yang qi, relaxes tendons and collaterals, regulates qi, reduces swelling, and broadens the chest.
Quchi Acupoint
1. Location of Quchi Acupoint:
Quchi acupoint is located on the outer side of the elbow crease with the forearm flexed, at the midpoint between Yangxi acupoint and the lateral condyle of the humerus. It is located at the concave part of the elbow joint.
2. Method of selecting Quchi Acupoint:
Flex the elbow to 90 degrees, and locate the midpoint on the outer side of the elbow crease.
3. Efficacy of Quchi Acupoint:
It transforms the heat of the spleen and dries the dampness of the large intestine meridian, providing the qi of the upper body's yang heat.
Shousanli Acupoint
1. Location of Shousanli Acupoint:
Shousanli acupoint is located on the anterior side of the forearm. The standard location is on the radial side of the forearm, on the line connecting Yangxi acupoint and Quchi acupoint, 2 cun below the elbow crease.
2. Method of selecting Shousanli Acupoint:
To locate Shousanli acupoint, first flex the arm and find Quchi acupoint. Then, move 2 cun (about three horizontal fingers) down the line connecting Quchi acupoint and Yangxi acupoint. This will lead you to the location of Shousanli acupoint. Pressing on this point may cause pain.
3. Efficacy of Shousanli Acupoint:
Shousanli acupoint is an important acupoint of the hand Yangming large intestine meridian. It has good effects in promoting the circulation of meridians and collaterals, reducing swelling and pain, and clearing the intestines and invigorating the organs.
Waiguan Acupoint
1. Location of Waiguan Acupoint:
Waiguan acupoint is located on the back of the forearm, on the line connecting Yangchi acupoint and the elbow tip, 2 cun above the transverse wrist crease, between the radius and ulna bones. It is an important acupoint of the hand Shaoyang Sanjiao meridian.
2. Method of selecting Waiguan Acupoint:
Extend the arm with the palm facing down. Select the point 2 cun above the transverse wrist crease, between the radius and ulna bones, on the line connecting Yangchi acupoint and the elbow tip. It is opposite to Neiguan acupoint.
3. Efficacy of Waiguan Acupoint:
It connects qi and blood, tonifies yang, and has the functions of relieving exterior, promoting the circulation of meridians and collaterals, and clearing heat.
As Is Acupoint
The method of selecting As Is acupoint is to determine the point based on pain. In clinical practice, doctors temporarily determine the acupoint based on the patient's sensations such as soreness, numbness, distention, pain, and heaviness, as well as changes in the skin.
Treatment Principles for Cervical Spondylosis
This condition belongs to the category of "Bi Syndrome" and "Wei Syndrome" in traditional Chinese medicine. It is often caused by external trauma to the neck, invasion of wind and cold, or fatigue and injury leading to obstruction of the meridians in the neck, stagnation of qi and blood, and poor functioning of tendons and bones. The main treatment is to unblock the meridians, promote qi and blood circulation, eliminate stasis, relieve muscle tension and spasms in the neck, relieve compression symptoms of nerves and blood vessels, and improve the nutrition and metabolism of local tissues, thereby alleviating or eliminating the clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis.
Cupping Methods for Cervical Spondylosis
Leaving the Cup On
Sit or lie prone. If there is neck pain, cupping should be done on the Jiaji acupoint, Dazhui acupoint, and tender points. If there is shoulder and back pain, cupping should also be done on the Jianjing acupoint and Tianzong acupoint. If there is pain or numbness in the upper limbs, cupping should also be done on the Quchi acupoint, Shousanli acupoint, and Waiguan acupoint. Leave the cups on for 10-15 minutes. Treat once daily, with 10 treatments as one course.
Needle Cupping
According to the type of cervical spondylosis and the location of pain, first needle the aforementioned acupoints, then use a suitable-sized fire cup to cup the corresponding numb and painful areas, leaving the cups on for 10-15 minutes.
Moving Cupping
Sit or lie prone. Apply an appropriate amount of massage cream or ointment on the neck. Use a suitable-sized fire cup to suction the cups on the Jiaji acupoint on the neck and then move them up and down along both sides of the spinal column in the neck for several times until the local skin becomes red.
Bleeding Cupping
Tap the Dazhui acupoint and tender points with a plum blossom needle until pinpoint bleeding occurs on the skin. Then immediately remove the cups to extract a small amount of blood. After removing the cups, wipe off the blood on the skin and disinfect with iodine swabs.
Medicinal Cupping
Take 20 grams each of Fangfeng, Mugua, Qinjiao, Taoren, Honghua, Chuanjiao, Gegen, and Guizhi. Wrap them in gauze and boil them in a pot for half an hour. Filter out the liquid. Then place a bamboo cup in the liquid and boil it for 10 minutes. Use tweezers to remove the bamboo cup, shake off the liquid, quickly cover the cup with a dry towel while it is still hot, and place it on Dazhui acupoint, Jiaji acupoint on the neck, and tender points. Leave the cups on for 15-20 minutes. Treat once daily, with 10 treatments as one course.
Lifestyle Care for Cervical Spondylosis
1. The height of the pillow should be moderate during sleep. Generally, the pillow should be lower when sleeping on the back and slightly higher when sleeping on the side, in order to maintain a slight extension of the neck and restore the physiological curvature of the spine. Using a therapeutic pillow can help with treatment.
2. Pay attention to keeping the neck and shoulders warm and avoid exposure to wind and cold, which can worsen the condition.
3. Correct improper reading posture. The height of the desk and chair should be appropriate to prevent the neck from being excessively flexed or extended, which can cause fatigue.
4. Middle-aged and elderly people and those who work with their heads down for long periods of time should balance work and rest, do more neck exercises, and learn self-massage techniques for the neck.
5. Strengthen the functional exercise of the neck muscles in daily life.
