Clinical observation of nerve-near needling for occipital neuralgia

Objective  To observe the clinical efficacy of nerve-near needling for occipital neuralgia. Methods  Eighty-two subjects were randomly allocated into two groups: treatment group in which 46 cases was treated by nerve-near needling points Tianzhu (BL 10) and Tianyou (TE 16) were selected], and control group in which 36 cases were treated by conventional acupuncture points Tianzhu(BL 10), Fengchi(GB 20), Baihui(GV 20), Shimian II (Extra), Wangu (GB 12) and Hegu(LI 4) were selected]. One course of treatment consisted of 3–5 times, and three courses of treatment were given at most before calculating efficacy. Results  The short-term total effective rate was 93.5% in the treatment group and 69.4% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01); the long-term total effective rate was 64.1% in the treatment group and 43.3% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion  Nerve-near needling is better than conventional acupuncture in treating occipital neuralgia. Author: LI Wei-dong (1970–), male, attending doctor