Whatever your career, you are more than likely to have experienced severe neck pain or stiffness at some point in your life. Muscle stress, back strain, poor sleeping position, long hours of sitting, and being addicted to your smartphone are all possible causes. The worst thing is that chronic neck pain and stiffness can make it difficult to live a comfortable life.
Neck discomfort, or pain that originates or arises in the cervical spine, is a prevalent ailment that affects people of all ages. Neck tension from everyday repetitive motions, computer posture, or an unusual sleeping position is something that everyone may relate to. An injury, such as a quick fall or a car accident, can produce acute neck pain or whiplash. Chronic neck discomfort can be caused by a variety of degenerative conditions affecting the upper seven discs of the spine. Neck discomfort and other musculoskeletal diseases have been demonstrated to respond well to acupuncture and other TCM treatments for pain and stiffness.
Neck and Shoulder Pain
The neck serves as a link between the head and the rest of the body, and it must be robust enough to sustain the head’s weight (which is about one tenth of the entire body weight). It must also be flexible, as our eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all require the head to move quickly and precisely. Because of this flexibility, the lower neck develops structural weaknesses, resulting in discomfort, stiffness, and degenerative changes.
The thoracic spine is also related to the neck (the part of the spine connected to the ribs). Tension in the thoracic spine can affect the neck, therefore it’s critical to relieve upper-back muscle contractions while treating neck discomfort.
Mental tension is another prevalent aspect of neck and shoulder discomfort. Stress isn’t always a terrible thing; it may encourage and excite us, but if we don’t take time to relax, it can lead to muscles that are permanently tightened. Long-term neck discomfort might be the result of a conflict between our ideas and feelings — for example, we may be furious yet unable to express it.
The Best Treatment for Neck Pain
Neck discomfort can be treated in a variety of ways. Not all of them are equally effective; some are only a short-term fix, while others might give long-term relief. Acupuncture and other TCM treatments for neck pain and musculoskeletal diseases are available in addition to massage therapies and similar procedures focused at the neck area.
Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine that has been used for hundreds of years to cure a number of degenerative conditions and to relieve pain. It entails the stimulation of certain acupoints on the body, which are chosen according to the ailment being treated.
Acupuncture needles are thin, tiny, and sterile, ensuring that the entire treatment is carried out safely and effectively. TCM claims that stimulating acupuncture sites on the body for neck discomfort helps to unblock energy (qi), allowing it to circulate freely throughout the body and bringing general well-being.
As a result, acupuncture affects blood circulation and biochemical changes in both the needle insertion site and the central nervous system. These modifications can help people feel better by reducing discomfort and improving their overall health.
Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment
The scientific evidence on whether acupuncture is an effective treatment for persistent neck pain and stiffness is equivocal. Acupuncture has been shown in several trials to assist improve neck function and reduce discomfort, but the effects do not appear to be long-lasting. Acupuncture has also been shown to help lower stress levels, which may have a role in the reduction of neck discomfort in certain people.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Acupuncture side effects are infrequent, as they are with many alternative therapies. “Relatively few problems from practicing acupuncture have been observed,” according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).
The NCCIH goes on to add that the majority of the issues that do arise are caused by tainted needles. The FDA controls the manufacturing and labeling of needles, requiring them to be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by licensed practitioners only. Acupuncture needles are frequently stored individually as well, reducing the risk of contamination.
But what happens if a needle becomes infected on rare occasions? According to the NCCIH, this can result in an infection or other major issues. And, if your practitioner isn’t adequately trained or hasn’t had a lot of practice, they might really puncture an organ or a lung, or harm a nerve. However, difficulties of this nature are quite uncommon.
What Can You Expect With Acupuncture?
Acupuncturists have their own distinct style, which typically combines elements of Eastern and Western medicine. Your practitioner may inquire about your symptoms, activities, and lifestyle to identify the best sort of acupuncture treatment for you. He or she may also take a detailed look at:
- The areas of your body that cause you discomfort.
- Your tongue’s shape, coating, and color.
- The hue of your skin.
- The strength, rhythm, and quality of your wrist pulse.
This preliminary assessment and therapy might take up to 60 minutes. The duration of subsequent sessions is generally around a half-hour. For a particular issue, a typical treatment schedule might include one or two sessions each week. The number of treatments required will be determined by the severity of the illness being treated. In most cases, six to eight treatments are required.
Final Thoughts
While certain neck pain disorders may improve on their own, it is recommended to get treatment for acute neck pain following an accident as soon as possible before it worsens. Don’t put up with recurring or chronic neck discomfort any longer. See our professional acupuncturist today. To detect and treat sore regions of the neck and back, we utilize a mix of gentle yet efficient acupressure massage and acupuncture. The neck, upper back, and arms are all connected by acupuncture channels. Along these pathways, we employ precise trigger points to assist relieve muscular tension. For more information, call us at (818) 478-9401.
