Acupuncture — A Safer and More Effective Solution to Ease Neck Pain

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain, or pain that originates or occurs in the cervical spine, is a common ailment that affects people of all ages. Neck strain from daily repetitive movements, poor posture while working on the computer, or an odd sleeping position are causes that anyone can relate to. Acupuncture is one of the safest treatments for neck pain when your neck muscles are spasming.

Acupuncture is a drug-free and natural way to help loosen up and alleviate tension in the neck muscles. Some acupressure points, in particular, can be massaged at home before your next appointment to help balance the neck muscles. After 12 to 24 sessions of acupuncture treatments twice or once a week, you may be able to avoid surgery. To prevent neck pain if you need to use the computer more than 4 hours a day, please practice acupressure and neck stretching according to this Youtube video: https://youtu.be/REc3-c5_z0M

What role does acupuncture play in the treatment of neck pain?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese procedure that relies on the use of fine needles to relieve pain. These needles are inserted into various pressure points. While the idea of healing by pricking fine needles into the body may seem ineffectual, the goal is to bring energy from the mind and body into harmony. According to conventional methods, the stimulation of acupuncture points for neck pain on the body helps unblock energy, allowing it to flow freely around the body and carry general well-being.

Consequently, acupuncture affects blood circulation and biochemical changes in both the needle insertion place and the central nervous system. These changes can help people feel better by reducing discomfort and improving their overall well-being. Neck pain can be treated through different methods. However, Acupuncture has no side effects and will not produce any scar tissue as surgery does.

How Is Acupuncture Used to Treat Neck Pain?

Treatments for acupuncture can differ depending on the practitioner’s techniques and treatment plan. In most cases, the acupuncturist begins by inquiring about the patient’s symptoms, diet, and daily routine, which can provide insight into the most appropriate body points for needle placement. Even if the discomfort and stiffness are limited to the neck, the needles may be inserted in other parts of the body. The patient may be asked to lie on their stomach, back, or side, depending on the treatment process.

Boston Acupuncture clinic will design the specific group of acupuncture points for each patient according to their systematic symptoms. The thin needles are removed and disposed of after the procedure is finished. The length and frequency of acupuncture sessions prescribed can be determined by how long the neck pain and stiffness have been present, as well as the severity of the symptoms. How many sessions does each patient needs to relieve their neck pain depends on their lifestyle and if they have systematic inflammation in their body. Patients with inflammation in their joints and nerves will take more than 12 treatments, patients who only have muscles tightness may only need 3 to 6 sessions. The Boston acupuncturist will show you the acupressure points you can practice in order to reduce the frequency of your acupuncture treatment and help you prevent severe neck pain in the future.

Supported by Latest Research

A review study done by the College of Korean Medicine concluded that with acupuncture for neck pain, no serious outcome of adverse event was confirmed. When compared, acupuncture and traditional medicine for chronic neck pain, both had equal effectiveness on pain and disability. However, acupuncture when combined with traditional medicine, can relieve pain more effectively. Electro-acupuncture (needles and current) showed even more relief compared to manual acupuncture treatment.

See summary below.

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29121797/)