Objective  To explore the effect of spinal traction, Jingtong Granules as well as acupuncture in treatment of patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).

  Methods  Totally 136 CSR patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 68 cases in each group. The control group was treated with spinal traction only, while the research group was treated with Jingtong Granule plus acupuncture and moxibustion on the basis of spinal traction. The clinical efficacy, neck pain and quality of life before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.

  Results  After treatment, the VAS and Neck DisabiIity Index (NDI) scores of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 97.06% in the study group, which was significantly higher than 86.76% in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the SF-36 score in both groups increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the study group was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with Jingtong Granules and spinal traction can effectively relieve the symptoms of cervical pain, reduce the degree of cervical disability and improve the quality of life of CSR patients.