Clinical advantages of ultrasound-guided acupotomy targeting the suboccipital muscles versus the posterior occipital tendinous arch for cervicogenic dizziness: a controlled trial
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided acupotomy targeting the suboccipital muscles versus the posterior occipital tendinous arch in patients with cervicogenic dizziness. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 80 patients with cervicogenic dizziness treated at the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province and Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture People's Hospital between September 2023 and December 2024. Patients were allocated into the groups of suboccipital muscles (n=40) and posterior occipital tendinous arch (n=40). All patients underwent ultrasound-guided acupotomy. Evaluated outcomes included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Cervical Vertigo Symptom and Functional Assessment scores, pressure pain threshold of the greater occipital nerve, cervical range of motion, ultrasound-measured tissue thickness, shear wave elastography indices, overall clinical efficacy, and adverse events. RESULTS: At 1 week and 1 month, the suboccipital muscle group demonstrated significantly lower VAS scores and higher functional scores, pain thresholds, and cervical mobility compared with the posterior arch group (all P<0.05). After treatment, tissue thickness and Young's modulus were lower, while elasticity scores were higher in the suboccipital group (both P<0.05). Clinical efficacy was greater (95.0% vs. 80.0%, P=0.023), with fewer adverse events (17.5% vs. 40.0%, P=0.026). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided acupotomy at both sites effectively alleviates cervicogenic dizziness. However, targeting the suboccipital muscles yields superior pain relief, functional recovery, and cervical mobility, with a lower incidence of adverse effects. This method is particularly suitable for patients with suboccipital muscle hypertrophy or tension.
DOI: 10.62347/zggx5031
Author: Sai Ma
Institution: First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4414584450