Causes:
"Cervical radiculopathy" is a common condition in Hong Kong. It is caused by prolonged head-down work postures, such as frequent computer use, mobile phone usage, and incorrect sitting positions, which lead to chronic strain. It can also result from sports injuries, accidental falls, impacts, or traffic accidents. Various types of injuries can damage the cervical vertebrae's bone joints, intervertebral discs, and surrounding soft tissues, causing degeneration. This leads to stimulation or damage to the cervical nerves, vertebral arteries, cervical sympathetic nerves, and even the cervical spinal cord, resulting in various clinical syndromes.
This condition commonly affects individuals aged 30 to 60 and is mostly caused by chronic, cumulative strain.
Some younger patients develop this condition due to scoliosis, kyphosis (rounded back), or insufficient spinal curvature, leading to an overly straight cervical spine and narrowed intervertebral foramina. This makes it easier to compress nerves, vertebral arteries, the spinal cord, and sympathetic nerves, causing premature cervical degeneration and the formation of "bone spurs" (osteophytes).
Case Study:
In clinical practice, patients often tell me: "My neck is very painful and I cannot turn it. When I sleep, my upper limbs are numb and painful.
I feel my muscles twitching. I don't know where to place my hands to feel comfortable. I cannot lie flat all night and can only sleep sitting up.
Now my neck and shoulders are also in pain, my fingers are numb, they feel thick and have no sensation. Both my hands have no strength."
During palpation examination, there are obvious tender points on the affected side of the lower cervical segments—C3, C4, C5, or C6. When pressure is applied, patients experience a needle-like sensation and radiating pain. This condition results from nerve compression in the lower cervical segments, causing inflammation and swelling, which produces pain and arm numbness, particularly in the thumb.
Treatment Methods:
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Acupuncture is the fastest method to relieve pain and reduce swelling. During treatment, techniques must be gentle and acupuncture must be precise, ensuring the patient feels no tension or pain. If treatment is properly administered, pain can be relieved after just one session, though numbness symptoms require a longer period to heal completely.
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Manual manipulation to realign and relieve muscle spasms, correcting misalignment and compression of small joints.
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Internal administration of Chinese herbal medicine to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, which can relieve pain, dispel dampness, reduce swelling, soothe the liver, calm the mind, and improve sleep quality.
Clinical Manifestations:
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Pain in the head, neck, shoulders, and back, with localized and radiating pain in the upper limbs.
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Limited range of motion in the neck and upper limb joints.
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Muscle twitching, numbness, or atrophy, commonly seen in the back or upper arms.
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Reduced or absent biceps or triceps reflexes.
Source: Complete Guide to Pain Disorders by Cheung Yung
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Sheung Yi Tong Wan Chai Clinic
11/F, Yue Kong Building, 90 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
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Operating Hours:
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Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Tel: 2736 7473
Sheung Yi Tong Jordan Clinic
3/F, Kin Ling Development Building, 59 Parkes Street, Jordan, Kowloon
Jordan MTR Station Exit C2
Operating Hours:
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Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Tel: 2736 7033
