Neck pain can cause a lot of inconvenience and prevent freedom of movement. Many American struggle with neck pain, and the majority that do say that this issue impedes them from performing everyday and work-related activities seamlessly. Muscle tension and back strain often cause pain in the neck area, but factors such as worn joints and broken down cartilage can also cause soreness. Massages and painkillers are some ways to reduce pain, but these are just temporary solutions, and painkillers often come with very negative and even dangerous side effects. If you want a safer, more long-lasting option, we suggest you consider acupuncture for neck pain! Acupuncture treatments can provide long-term relief from neck pain, and help you reestablish the freedom of movement.
What Causes Neck Pain?
The most common causes of neck pain are:
Muscle strains: Spending too much time on the computer, phone, or even reading in bed can cause muscle strain.
Worn joints: Like other joints in the body, our neck joints tend to wear down with age, which can affect joint motion and cause neck pain.
Nerve compression: Herniated discs or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck can cause neck pain. This is especially true if they press on the nerves in your neck.
Injuries: Any neck injury can result in pain, especially those resulting from vehicle collisions.
Certain diseases: Some disease like rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and meningitis can cause neck pain.
In general, poor body positioning and posture can have an adverse effect on neck health, causing tension and pain. To avoid unpleasant and restricted neck motions, strive to maintain proper posture while standing and sitting, adjust your desk, chair, and computer, and make sure your head and neck are aligned with your body.
How Can Acupuncture Help with Neck Pain?
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of issues, including degenerative diseases and pain. Acupuncture involves the insertions of tiny, hair-thin needles on specific points on the body to support healing and balance. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the stimulation of acupuncture points on the body helps unblock energy (qi), which allows it to flow through the body and promote 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. Acupuncture techniques are designed to relieve pain, which is why they are so effective for patients who suffer from persistent neck stiffness. Acupuncture not only improves overall neck function, but it also lowers stress levels. which can also a significant role in neck pain for some some.
Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on the pain itself, Eastern medicine practitioners strive to uncover the underlying reason of the stiffness by observing the root of the problem (pain in this case). Neck pain and headaches, according to TCM, are usually signals of something more serious, which is why your practitioner may examine your spine for signs of bulging discs, traumas, broken joints, and other problems.
Acupuncture may be paired with electro-stimulation or other TCM treatments such as moxibustion to achieve better outcomes.
Electroacupuncture For Neck Pain
Electroacupuncture uses an electric current to activate the acupuncture needles. It's a completely risk-free procedure that has helped many patients with chronic neck and other types of pain.
Acupuncture + Moxibustion for Neck Pain
The combination of acupuncture and moxibustion is one of the most effective TCM therapies for neck pain. Because it can dramatically relieve pain and numbness in the neck, this combination can be more beneficial than each therapy alone.
Moxibustion is also useful in the treatment of a wide range of ailments. It entails placing dried mugwort (moxa) on the skin's surface and burning it to target certain places. It seeks to re-establish the flow of essential energy while stimulating the body to manufacture natural painkillers, similar to acupuncture. Acupuncture and moxa combined can reduce weakness and weariness a person may be experiencing as a result of neck pain while also preventing the emergence of additional inflammatory issues.
In addition to treating neck pain, this combination can also be used for frozen shoulder, sciatica, tendonitis, and fibromyalgia.
Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment for acupuncture at our San Tan Valley, AZ office!
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Marlo Rapp Acupuncture San Tan Valley, AZ
Specializing in acupuncture and TCM, cupping, injection therapy, Chinese Herbs, moxibustion, tuina, nutritional therapy, and more!
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