- Acute, non-traumatic neck pain generally responds quickly to acupuncture at potent reflex points at the hands, feet, ears and scalp. Decreased neck pain and stiffness are often obtainable within a single treatment. Stabilization of symptoms at an improved level can be obtained with several visits.
- Chronic neck pain, or neck pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, and pain in the arms, can respond to acupuncture with electro-stimulation. Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture have been shown to reduce nerve and muscle pain and inflammation, increase soft tissue mobility and joint range-of-motion, relax tight muscles, and normalize local blood flow, all of which helps to decompress injured nerves in the neck.
- Gua sha friction massage and strong suction cupping can be used to stretch soft tissue, reduce trigger points, and restore normal blood flow in the neck muscles, including the upper trapezius, levator scapula, and cervical paraspinals.
- Neck exercises to strengthen and stretch the neck muscles, restore range-of-motion and healthy neck posture, and reduce bulging of cervical spinal discs can help to treat neck pain and prevent re-injury.
In the terminology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the treatment principles of acupuncture for neck pain are to move qi and blood, drain dampness, dispel bi (painful obstruction syndrome), and promote the healing of injured tissues.
More on acupuncture and neck pain coming soon….