Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of balance acupotomy combined with warm needling in treatment of cervical spondylopathy of vertebral artery type(CSA). Methods Ninety patients were randomly divided into a warm needling group

a balance acupotomy group and a combined treatment group

30 cases in each one. In the warm needling group

warm needling was given

once daily

for 5 days consecutively

with the interval of 2 days every week

and the treatment was conducted for 3 weeks. In the combined treatment group

on the base of the treatment as the warm needling group

the balance acupotomy was exerted

for consecutive 3 weeks. In the balance acupotomy group

the balance acupotomy was adopted

once a week

for 3 weeks consecutively. Clinical efficacy

the mean blood flow velocity of left vertebral artery(LVA)

right vertebral artery(RVA) and basilar artery(BA)

the pulse index(PI) and the resistance index(RI) were observed in 3 groups separately. The score of vertigo symptom and function was compared before and after treatment in 3 groups. Results In comparison with before treatment

the score of evaluation scale for cervical vertigo(ESCV) and the mean blood flow velocity of LVA

RVA and BA were all increased(P<0.05). while PI and RI reduced(P<0.05) in each group after treatment. In comparison with those in the warm needling group and the balance acupotomy group

ESCV score and the mean blood flow velocity of LVA

RVA and BA were increased(P<0.05)

while PI and RI decreased(P<0.05) in the combined treatment group after treatment. Compared with the balance acupotomy group

the mean blood flow velocity of LVA

RVA and BA was increased(P<0.05)

and PI and RI reduced(P<0.05) in the warm needling group after treatment. The total effective rate was 73.3%(22/30) in the warm needling group

70.0%(21/30) in the balance acupotomy group and 93.3%(28/30) in the combined treatment group respectively. The total effective rate in the combined treatment group was higher than that either in the warm needling group or in the balance acupotomy group(P<0.05). Conclusion Balance acupotomy combined with warm needling may restore the mechanical equilibrium state of the neck

and effectively improve the change of vertebral-basilar artery blood flow and relieve vertigo symptoms in patient with of cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type.