I often tell my patients who come to the office in Mamaroneck seeking acupuncture and Chinese medicine the same thing: more than fifty percent of patients seeking acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment come for a pain-related condition. The top three pain conditions seen by most acupuncturists are lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Most acupuncturists have a lot of experience treating pain, especially neck pain.
At various stages in life, most individuals experience some form of neck pain, whether it’s waking up with a stiff neck or feeling tightness from prolonged periods of stress. Certain occupations may increase the likelihood of developing acute or chronic neck pain. Workers who engage in repetitive tasks, maintain prolonged sitting positions, or frequently use their arms are particularly vulnerable to neck discomfort. In our modern age, “cell phone neck” has become increasingly common.
The neck is among the body’s most flexible yet sensitive areas. Throughout the day, many of us unknowingly place stress on our necks, which can lead to pain, discomfort, stiffness, and restricted movement not only in the neck but also in the shoulders and arms. Our posture, activities, stress levels, sleep, lifestyle, and even eating habits affect the health of our neck.
For those dealing with neck pain—whether occasional or persistent—acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may offer effective relief. Acupuncture has gained recognition as a viable treatment for various painful conditions. This natural approach to managing neck pain is both safe and effective.
Understanding Neck Pain
Neck pain can stem from a variety of sources, including wear and tear, strains or sprains, and inflammation. Common causes include:
- Poor Posture: Prolonged bending or slumping forward can lead to strains (overstretched muscles) or sprains (ligament injuries). Situations like extended computer use, long drives, reading in bed, or awkward phone positions can exacerbate this issue. Sleeping in an unfavorable position is also a frequent contributor.
- Injuries and Trauma: Acute neck pain and whiplash are often the results of injuries from falls, sports, or automobile accidents.
- Medical Conditions: Chronic pain and stiffness can arise from conditions such as arthritis or herniated discs. Illnesses like the flu and jaw-related injuries may also lead to neck discomfort.
- Stress: Anxiety and stress can cause muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and back.
- Exposure to Drafts: Allowing drafts to reach your neck, whether indoors or outdoors, can cause discomfort and stiffness. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views wind as a harmful element that can invade the body, particularly through the head and neck, especially with damp hair. This can lead to muscle soreness and tightness. It’s important to wear a scarf to cover your neck, especially in cooler months.
- Sleeping with Damp Hair: Similar to drafts, going to bed with wet hair can cause neck muscles to contract, leading to stiffness and pain, and may even trigger headaches for some individuals. Ensure that your hair is dry before going to bed. In Chinese medicine, neck pain may be attributed to factors like overuse, strain, muscle tension, or the invasion of cold, wind, and dampness.
How Acupuncture Can Assist?
Research, including studies published in reputable medical journals, indicates that acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment for chronic neck pain. It can alleviate pain related to movement and enhance cervical mobility. Given that neck pain can be a persistent issue, it is often beneficial to consider multiple treatment modalities, including acupuncture.
Check out the studies below for more information:
- Acupuncture for neck disorders
- Acupuncture for patients with chronic neck pain
- Acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) acupoint for acute neck pain caused by stiff neck: study
The Acupuncture Treatment Process
An acupuncture session typically begins with an assessment of the patient’s condition. In treating pain, it is important to discern the quality of pain, aggravating and alleviating factors, as well as a thorough health history to determine other factors preventing the body from recuperating on its own. These factors include sleep, digestion, stress levels, etc. This is followed by the careful insertion of needles to restore energy flow and alleviate discomfort. Sessions usually last around 60 minutes, and the frequency of treatment will depend on the severity and duration of pain. These key details would be discussed early in the treatment plan.
Complementary Therapies for Neck Pain Management
In addition to acupuncture, complementary treatments such as cupping, moxibustion, bodywork (tuina and reflexology), internal herbal medicine, and external herbal medicine can enhance neck pain management.
- Cupping Therapy: This technique utilizes suction cups to relieve tension and improve circulation in the neck and back. Cupping can greatly enhance the effects of acupuncture treatment, often reducing the number of treatments needed to gain relief.
- Bodywork (Tuina and Reflexology): These techniques apply pressure to various points, meridians, joints, muscles, tissues, etc., to promote relaxation, circulation, increased range of motion, and pain relief.
- Internal Herbal Remedies: Chinese herbs can be beneficial when used alongside other treatments but should only be taken under professional guidance. Chinese herbal formulas are used to alleviate muscle and joint stiffness and pain. For some very chronic cases of neck pain, internal herbs are often added to speed up recovery.
- External Herbal Remedies: After a thorough diagnosis of the pain symptoms, topical herbal medicines are applied in the form of oils, liniments, plasters, steams, soaks, etc. Different topical preparations are used for different stages of recovery. Topical herbal medicine is applied daily and is an excellent adjunctive therapy.
- Moxibustion: Cases of neck pain that have pronounced weakness, fatigue, and sensitivity to cold often do really well when moxibustion is added to the treatment. Moxibustion warms and loosens up chronically cold and tight areas of the neck, greatly relieving pain.
- Dietary and Lifestyle Counseling: With all health conditions, there are certain causative factors that can create a health problem or greatly exacerbate an existing one. By working with diet and lifestyle, the effects of treatment are greatly magnified.
For a greater understanding of the treatment therapies used, please visit this link: Treatment Therapies Offered..
In summary, acupuncture is a valuable method for managing neck pain. It can relieve discomfort, reduce tension, and restore energy flow. However, maintaining good posture and an active lifestyle is equally important in preventing and managing neck pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does acupuncture help with neck pain? Yes, evidence supports acupuncture’s effectiveness in managing neck pain.
- How long does it take for acupuncture to work? Relief may be felt after one session, but chronic pain might require several treatments. To fully stabilize your pain condition, it will often take a series of treatments.
- Can acupuncture assist with a pinched nerve? Yes, it can alleviate pain and enhance circulation. The only time acupuncture cannot help with pain is if there is a broken bone or severed tissue.
For further information about acupuncture and how it can help your neck pain, please feel free to reach out to Ira Wahrman, L.Ac, at his acupuncture office in Mamaroneck. The phone number is (914) 772-4044. Or feel free to click the below to schedule your first session.