An Empirical Formula That Works Well for Early-Stage Cervical Spondylosis and Frozen Shoulder

Guizhi (Cinnamon twig) 9g, Chishao (Red peony root) 9g, Zhigancao (Honey-fried licorice) 6g, Qianghuo (Notopterygium) 6g, Duhuo (Angelica pubescens) 6g, Chuanxiong (Sichuan lovage rhizome) 6g, Jianghuang (Turmeric) 6g, Gegen (Kudzu root) 18g, Shengjiang (Fresh ginger) 12g sliced, Dazao (Jujube) 5–7 pieces broken open.

Decoct in water, one dose per day; decoct two to three times and divide into two to three portions, taken one hour after meals. A slight faint sweating after taking it is the normal expected response.

This prescription is a modification of Guizhi Gengen Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Kudzu Decoction). I have so far used it on four patients with cervical spondylosis and frozen shoulder—one of them being my mother-in-law—and in every case the effect was immediate.

The formula treats wind-cold type cervical spondylosis and frozen shoulder with excellent results. It is suitable for patients whose tongue coating is normal or thin white and greasy, who slightly dislike wind and cold, whose neck and upper back feel heavy and painful (in severe cases the discomfort may radiate to the chest), who fatigue easily and sweat readily, and whose pulse is floating and moderate or floating and slow.

Usually three to five doses yield obvious improvement, and about a month of continuous use can bring about a basic recovery.

However, if the patient belongs to the wind-heat pattern—red tongue, rapid pulse, dry throat and mouth—this formula must under no circumstances be used.