East-West Collaboration Treatment Using Bee Venom Acupuncture and NSAIDs for Chronic Cervicalgia

Clinical Research on the Efficacy and Safety of East-West Collaborative Treatment Using NSAIDs and BV on Chronic Cervical Pain; A Randomized, Controlled, Parallel, Pilot Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of east-west collaborative treatment using bee venom acupuncture and NSAIDs on pain intensity, functional status and quality of life of patients with chronic cervicalgia

Inclusion Criteria:

• age between 18 and 65 years
• nonspecific, uncomplicated, chronic neck pain over 3 months
• volunteer can read and write in Korean, providing written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• exhibited abnormalities on neurological examination
• radicular pain
• serious spinal disorders including malignancy, vertebral fracture, spinal infection or inflammatory spondylitis
• other chronic diseases that could affect or interfere with the therapeutic outcomes including cardiovascular disease, diabetic neuropathy, active hepatitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia or epilepsy
• previous spinal surgery or scheduled procedures during the study
• painful conditions induced by traffic accidents
• a substantial musculoskeletal problem generating pain from an area other than the neck
• conditions for which administration of BVA might not be safe including clotting disorders, administration of an anticoagulant agent, pregnancy and seizure disorders
• a documented hypersensitive reaction to previous BVA treatments, bee stings or insect bites
• positive reaction observed during a skin hypersensitivity test
• severe psychiatric or psychological disorders
• current use of corticosteroids, narcotics, muscle relaxants or herbal medicines to treat neck pain or any medication considered inappropriate by the investigator
• pending lawsuits or receipt of compensation due to neck pain.