Acupuncture for Neck Pain
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.
