Pathogenesis and TCM Treatment of Cervical

Spondylosis

East West Healing CenterBy Dr. Leon Chen

www.eastwesthealingcenter.net

Definition 

• Cervical spondylosis is a disorder caused by abnormal wear on cervical vertebrae with degeneration and mineral deposits in

attachment of cervical vertebrae, causing pain in the neck and arm, weakness, and changes in sensation.

ⅠLocal anatomy

1. Cervical aspect: the cervical vertebrae has seven vertebrae, they are a atlas(C1), a axis(C2), 3-7 cervical vertebrae(C3-C7).

①Between atlas and axis do not have disc.②The 7th spinous process is longest. ③In cervical vertebrae has transverse

foramen that differs other vertebrae.

Transverse foramen

Vertebral foramen

Odontoid process (dens) of axis

Transverse ligament of atlas

Atlas (C1)

Axis (C2)

Spinousprocess

Anterior arch of atlas

Posterior arch of C1

C1, C2

Transverse foramen

Vertebral foramen

Transverse process

Centrum

Bifurcated spinous process

Lamina

Pedicle

Superior articular facet

C3- C7

2. ligaments:

① Supraspinal ligament. ② Interspinal ligament. ③ Flava ligament. ④ Posterior longitudinal lihament. ⑤ Anterior longitudinal ligament. ⑥ Transverse ligament of atlas.

3. discs:1) *Hyaline Cartilage: is the cartilage of the

superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral body. It also forms the top and bottom border of nucleus pulposus. It bears the weight and protects the nucleus pulposus.

2) *Annulus Fibrosus: is a fibrous ring, like a radial tire. It is elastic, embracing and holding the nucleus pulposus, not leting it herniate.

3) *Nucleus Pulposus: is a kind of gelatinous, flexible, semifluid material, located in the center of the annulus fibrosus. Both top and bottom surface are sealed by hyaline cartilage.

髓核纤维环

脊髓神经根

椎间盘膨隆protrusion or bulgingprotrusion or bulging

破裂椎间盘

游离椎间盘sequestrationsequestration

正常椎间盘Normal disc

破裂型 破裂型 extrusionextrusion

4. Cervical plexus:

The cervical plexus is formed by the ventral rami of the C1-C4 spinal nerves. Those supply the muscles and skin of the head, neck, shoulder, and chest.

5. Brachial plexus:• The brachial plexus is composed C5, C6, C7, C8

and T1 spinal nerves.• Those include a radial nerve, a median nerve, a

ulnar nerve. ① The radial nerve: C5-C8,T1 of spinal

nerves.② The Ulnar nerve: C8 and T1 of spinal

nerves.③ The median nerve: C5-C8,T1 of spinal

nerves

S2

S1

45

C 34 5 6

78

34

5

C

S2L1

L2

L3

L4

L5

S1

T1

T1 23

12

4 5 67

8910

11

C5

C6 C8C7

C8C7

C6

S2

L5

L4

L5

L4

L5L4

3

• The radial nerve1) The radial nerve is a nerve in the human body

that supplies the arm, the forearm and the hand.

2) It originates from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus with roots from C5, 6, 7, 8, and T1.

3) It supply triceps, extensors of the wrist and hands (lift the hand), and extension thumb (adduct the thumb ).

4) The cutaneous nerve supply to most of the back of the hand.

• The ulnar nerve1) The ulnar nerve is a nerve which runs from the

shoulder to the hand, at one part running near the ulna bone.

2) It is composing with C8-T1 of spinal nerves which is medial cord of the brachial plexus.

3) There it supplies one and a half muscles of upper limb (flexor carpi ulnaris and medial half of flexor digiti profundus).

4) The ulnar nerve also provides sensory innervation to the part of the hand corresponding to the fourth and fifth digits.

5) If damage the ulnar nerve may the 4th and 5th finger can’t extend straight or the 5th finger can’t extension.

• The median nerve1) The median nerve is formed from parts of the

medial and lateral cords of the brachial plexus, which C5-C8, T1 of spinal nerves, and continues down the arm to enter the forearm with the brachial artery.

2) The median nerve is the only nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel, where it may be compressed to cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

3) If damage the nerve may causing can’t adduct palm.

6. Vertebral artery

• The vertebral artery, which is the first branch of the subclavian artery, provides another major blood supply to the brain.

• The vertebral artery from the subclavian reaches the cranial cavity by passing through the transverse foramen of 1-6 cervical vertebrae.

7. Main muscles of neck

1) Scalene muscles: ①Middle scalene; ② Anterior scalene; ③Posterior scalene.2) Sternocleidomastoid: ① Sternal head; ②Clavicular head.3) Semispinalis capitis4) Splenius capitis5) Levator scapula6) Trapezius

Trapezius

Sternocleidomastoid

Ⅱ Pathogenesis

1) Intervertebral disc herniation: ① Injury; ② degenerative changes. 2) Degeneration of cervical vertebrae: ① Osteophytosis of the vertebral bodies. ② Hypertrophy of the facets and laminal

arches.3) ligamentous and segmental instability.

Ⅲ Pattern of Cervical Spondylosis

1) Radicular pattern2) Vertebral artery pattern3) Myelopathy pattern4) Sympathetic pattern5) Combination pattern

Ⅳ Points of Diagnosis 1) Age: the most cases are over 40 year old, and man

more than woman.2) The pain in the neck, headache (back head), shoulder,

or radiation pain in the arm or fingers.3) Numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers or thumb. 4) Dizzy.5) Loss of balance.6) Dry eye, visual disturbances (eg, blurred vision,

diplopia)7) Tinnitus. 8) Disturbed concentration and memory9) Hot flash (rarely). 10) X-ray, MRI, CT: will find particular problem.

Ⅴ Complications

• Chronic neck pain • Progressive loss of muscle function or

feeling • Permanent disability (occasional) • Inability to retain feces (fecal incontinence)

or urine (urinary incontinence)

Ⅵ Symptoms   • Neck pain (may radiate to the arms or shoulder) • Loss of sensation or abnormal sensations of the

shoulders, arms, or (rarely) legs • Weakness of the arms or (rarely) legs • Neck stiffness that progressively worsens • Loss of balance• Headaches, particularly in the back of the head • Loss of control of the bladder or bowels (if spinal

cord is compressed)

Radiation of cervical nerves

Ⅶ Physical Examinations1) Cervical movement: Flexion 35-45°;

Extension 35-45°; Lateral bending 45°; Rotation 60-80°.

2) Tension arm test.3) Percuss head test.4) Spurling test.5) Jackson test.6) Compression shoulder test.7) Traction test.

Tension arm test

Percuss head test

Jackson test

Compression shoulder test

Traction test

Ⅷ Image Examinations • A spine or neck x-ray shows abnormalities that

indicate cervical spondylosis. • A CT scan or spine MRI confirms the diagnosis. • A myelogram (x-ray or CT scan after injection of

dye into the spinal column) may be recommended to clearly identify the extent of injury.

• An EMG may also be recommended. • An x-ray of the lower (lumbar) spine may reveal

degenerative changes in this region.

Ⅸ Differentiation of Diagnosis

1) Brain tumour.2) Migraine.3) Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).4) Cervical strain.5) Freezing shoulder.6) Tennis elbow.

Sternocleidomastoid

Ⅹ Treatment of TCM1) TuiNa: RouGun (rolling and kneading), NaRou

(Grasping and kneading), An (pressing), Ban (adjustment).

2) Acupuncture: GB20 ( 风池 ) ， GB21 ( 肩井 ) ， DU14 ( 大椎 ) ， SI11 ( 天宗 ) ， LI12 ( 曲池 ) ， SJ ( 外关 ) ， LI4 ( 合谷 ) ， DU20 ( 百会 ) ， DU ( 上星 ).

3) Chinese herbs: ① Wind Bi: FangFengTongShenWan,DuHuoJiShengWan.

② Blood stagnation: FuFangDanShengWan. ③ ShenYang deficiency: ShenQiWan,

BuYangHuanWuWan, TanWangBuXinWan.4) Traction.

ⅩI Expectations (prognosis)  

• Most patients with cervical spondylosis will have some chronic symptoms, but they respond to non-operative interventions and do not require surgery.

Thank you

Phone ： 630-916-0781E-mail: drchen12@yahoo.com

Web ： www.eastwesthealingcenter.net