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Warm Moxibustion and Scraping as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis Treatment
Published on: June 27, 2025
[Cervicogenic headache caused by lower cervical spondylosis]
Masahito Kawabori1, Kazutoshi Hida, Shunsuke Yano
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan.
No Shinkei Geka. Neurological Surgery
|May 13, 2009
Summary
Severe facial pain and headache caused by cervical spondylosis were effectively treated with surgery. This case highlights surgical intervention as a viable option for managing cervicogenic headaches stemming from cervical spine issues.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Cervicogenic headache is often challenging to diagnose and treat.
- Cervical spondylosis, a degenerative spinal condition, can present with atypical symptoms.
- Facial pain and headache are debilitating symptoms that significantly impact quality of life.
Observation:
- A 48-year-old woman experienced severe, persistent left-sided facial pain and headache for four years.
- Magnetic resonance imaging revealed C5/6 disc degeneration with foraminal and spinal cord encroachment.
- Temporary relief was achieved with anesthetic blockade of the C5/6 facet joint.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention, specifically anterior decompression and stabilization with a titanium cage, provided complete and lasting resolution of symptoms.
- The patient remained pain-free for one year post-surgery.
- This case demonstrates the efficacy of surgical treatment for cervicogenic headache secondary to cervical spondylosis.
Implications:
- Lower cervical root compression should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervicogenic headaches.
- Surgical management can be a highly effective treatment for refractory cervicogenic headaches caused by cervical spondylosis.
- This case contributes to the understanding of the relationship between cervical spine pathology and facial pain syndromes.
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