A Quick Solution for Neck Pain, Acupuncture
Are you dealing with a pain in the neck? It is one of the most common complaints. Sleeping wrong or sitting in front of a computer for long periods strains your neck. Acute neck pain usually resolves independently and lasts less than a week. However, when neck pain lasts longer, it may be considered chronic. Seeing a medical professional, including an acupuncturist, can help you escape the pain cycle.
What Causes Neck Pain
The causes of neck pain are varied. As a result, a good assessment is critical before starting treatment. Talk to your acupuncturist about your specific symptoms and if you are aware of your particular triggering event.
Inflammation is the culprit behind most pain and is the primary condition acupuncture treats. Inflammation causes and worsens many diseases, including chronic pain. Acupuncture reduces inflammation by bringing more blood flow to the area. As a result, the system has a chance to normalize inflammation. Additionally, there are diet strategies, supplements, and herbal formulas that all reduce inflammation as well.
Weak Muscles: we tend to do repetitive tasks that result in strained and weak neck muscles. For example, driving for an extended period can cause an unusual strain, resulting in neck pain. Ice, acupuncture, or over-the-counter herbal formulas can treat acute neck pain. However, if the pain doesn’t improve, you’ll want to look at a deeper cause.
Whiplash: occurs when a person’s head is jerked forward and back rapidly – like a whip. It commonly occurs in car accidents. Whiplash can occur during an athletic event as well. In conclusion, whiplash is an injury to the neck muscles and connective tissue that hurts immediately up to several weeks later.
Slipped disk: pain that shoots down your shoulder or arm could be caused by a slipped vertebra putting pressure on a nerve. Slipped disks often result from muscle weakness due to illness, age, or injury.
Does Acupuncture Help with Neck Pain?
A recent neck and back pain study reported that acupuncture treatment was more effective than a placebo. Acupuncture was even more effective than physical therapy, massage, or medication alone. Simply put, acupuncture reduces pain. In clinical practice, I’ve always found patients benefited from physical therapy, massage, and medication.
In my office, I regularly see patients with both acute and chronic discomfort. Neck pain responds favorably to acupuncture treatment with additional therapies like cupping or tuina (massage) without the harmful side effects of medications. Also, acupuncture isn’t an addictive therapy, unlike opiate painkillers.
Treatments and other suggested lifestyle changes such as exercises, repositioning habits, and nutritional support (when needed) can be life-changing for chronic cases. Most patients will experience at least some level of relief after one treatment. In more extreme cases, a few visits might be needed for a patient to experience pain relief.
Supplement Recommendations for Chronic Pain
About the Author
Dr. Mark-Ian VanOtterloo is a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Oriental Medicine in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He is an integrative, functional medicine practitioner specializing in chronic disease and women’s health, using acupuncture and Chinese herbs in a mainstream medical model. To learn more about acupuncture as a solution for your neck pain, contact Dr. Mark-Ian VanOtterloo for an appointment or free consultation.
