ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of non-heated silver needle decompression under the guidance of pathogenic principle of muscle shortening on patients with cervical vertebra disease of the nerve root type. MethodsSixty patients diagnosed with cervical vertebra disease of the nerve root type between April 2007 and June 2009 were divided randomly into therapy group (n=30), treated with non-heated silver needle decompression, and control group (n=30), treated with physical therapy. Then, we observed the total effective rate, positive physical signs and electrophysiological indexes of the patients 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment. ResultsThe total effective rate was 96.7%, 93.3%, 93.3% and 86.7% in the therapy group 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment, while it was 80.0%, 63.3%, 60.0%, and 50.0% in the control group, and the diTherence between the two groups in each time point was significant (P<0.05). The rate of positive sign in the top pressure test and Brachial plexus traction test lowered significantly 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment in both the two groups (P<0.05), while the rate lowered significantly only in the therapy group 2 years after treatment (P<0.05). Paraspinal tenderness lowered significantly at each time point in the therapy group after treatment (P<0.05), while the decrease in the control group had no significance (P<0.05). The interpeak latency of somatosensory evoked potential N9-N13 got significantly shorter at each time point after treatment in the therapy group (P<0.05), while this only happened at the time points of 3 and 6 months after treatment in the control group (P<0.05). The latency of wave F got significantly shorter at each time point after treatment in the therapy group (P<0.05), while the shortening only occurred 6 months after treatment in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionNon-heated silver needle decompression under the guidance of pathogenic principle of muscle shortening is an effective treatment for patients with cervical vertebra disease of the nerve root type.