Efficacy and Safety of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling in the Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Randomized Controlled Trials.

Researchers analyzed 46 studies involving 3,767 patients to evaluate Fu's subcutaneous needling, a specialized acupuncture technique, for treating cervical spondylosis (neck pain caused by age-related wear and tear of the cervical spine). This technique involves inserting needles just beneath the skin rather than deeply into muscle tissue. The analysis found that Fu's subcutaneous needling was significantly more effective than standard treatments. Patients who received this treatment experienced greater pain relief, with notably lower scores on visual pain scales compared to control groups. They also reported better neck function, measured by standardized questionnaires that assess how neck problems affect daily activities. The treatment showed a 17% higher success rate overall compared to conventional approaches. Importantly, Fu's subcutaneous needling demonstrated superior safety, with fewer adverse events reported than other treatments. The research indicated that benefits increased with longer treatment durations, suggesting that multiple sessions may be necessary for optimal results. The technique proved effective across different types of cervical spondylosis, whether caused by disc problems, bone spurs, or muscle tension. While these findings are promising, researchers noted that more high-quality studies are needed to confirm the results. For patients suffering from chronic neck pain who haven't found relief with conventional treatments, Fu's subcutaneous needling may offer a safe and effective alternative worth discussing with healthcare providers. If you're considering this treatment, seek a qualified acupuncturist specifically trained in Fu's subcutaneous needling technique.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated Fu's subcutaneous needling efficacy for cervical spondylosis across 46 RCTs (n=3,767). Fu's subcutaneous needling demonstrated statistically significant superiority over controls with pooled relative risk of 1.17 (95% CI: 1.14-1.20, p<0.05) for overall effectiveness. Clinically meaningful improvements were observed in VAS scores (WMD: -1.55, 95% CI: -1.98 to -1.12), NPQ scores (WMD: -2.65, 95% CI: -5.27 to -0.03), and NDI scores (WMD: -3.40, 95% CI: -6.59 to -0.21). Safety profile was favorable with reduced adverse events (RR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13-0.75). Subgroup analysis revealed efficacy across CS subtypes with dose-response relationship indicating improved outcomes with extended treatment duration. Methodological limitations include database searches through March 2025 and study heterogeneity. Clinical takeaway: Fu's subcutaneous needling represents an evidence-based intervention for cervical spondylosis with superior outcomes and safety compared to conventional treatments, warranting integration into multimodal pain management protocols.