Observation on the Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture at Cervical Jiaji Points Combined with Thoracic Flexibility Exercises in the Treatment of Acute Stiff Neck

LIN Qin; HE Tingchao; WANG Wenkun

doi:10.14033/j.cnki.cfmr.2025.34.010

Abstract：Objective:To assess the enhanced efficacy of thoracic mobility training as an adjunct to cervical Jiaji acupuncture for symptom and functional improvement in acute stiff neck.Method:60 patients diagnosed with acute stiff neck were selected from the Rehabilitation Hospital affiliated with Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January to June 2025.These participants were allocated at random using a random number table into either a combined treatment group(30 cases)or an acupuncture-alone group(30 cases).The therapeutic regimen for the combination group consisted of acupuncture at cervical Jiaji points supplemented by thoracic spinal mobility exercises.Conversely,the control group received solely the cervical Jiaji acupuncture protocol.A total treatment period of one week was completed by both groups.The clinical efficacy between the groups were compared.The following primary outcome measures were used:the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS),cervical range of motion(ROM),and the Neck Disability Index(NDI).Result:The combination therapy group achieved a significantly higher cure rate than the acupuncture-alone group(93.3%vs.73.3%,P<0.05).Before treatment,both groups showed comparable baseline characteristics(P>0.05).After treatment,significant improvements were observed in both groups for all key metrics(P<0.05),VAS,NDI and ROM of the combination group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes on all measures compared to the control(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combination of acupuncture at the cervical Jiaji points and thoracic flexibility exercises has been shown to significantly reduce pain,improve joint mobility,and restore cervical spine function in patients suffering from acute stiff neck.