Neck pain is very common—whether caused by an acute injury, stress, or simply from sleeping in an awkward position, neck pain is always unpleasant. Our acupuncturists can provide an immediate reduction in pain. We effectively treat all kinds of neck pain: acute, chronic, localized, radiating, and more. Acupuncture treatments may include points in and around the neck, as well as points throughout the body, to best address each individual’s neck pain and underlying symptoms. Our acupuncturists will assess range of motion, ask questions about what makes the pain better or worse, observe the tongue, take the pulse, and palpate the area in pain to get a full picture of each person’s condition and any underlying imbalances contributing to their neck pain.

Western Medical Causes & Treatment Recommendations

Neck pain can result from injuries affecting muscles, ligaments, discs, vertebral joints, or nerves. It can also stem from aging, wear and tear, osteoarthritis, overuse, poor posture, stress, growths, or other health conditions. Western treatment options aim to relax tense muscles, improve mobility, and reduce pain. These treatments may include NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, steroid injections, massage, chiropractic care, and acupuncture.

Acupuncture Causes & Treatment

In Chinese medicine theory, pain is caused by some form of stagnation. When this stagnation occurs in the Urinary Bladder, Gallbladder, or Small Intestine meridians, neck pain can result. These meridians pass through the neck area. Pain along the Urinary Bladder meridian typically presents in the back of the neck beside the spine and may extend down the back of the body to the feet. Small Intestine meridian pain often appears alongside Urinary Bladder pain and extends into the shoulders. Gallbladder meridian pain is located at the base of the skull, down the sides of the neck, and into the tops of the shoulders, often affecting head rotation.

Acupuncture points along the affected meridian(s) will be used in treatment. These may be located in the neck or at more distal sites, such as the arms and legs. Frequently, distal acupuncture points are used to reestablish the flow of qi, helping to reduce stagnation and provide pain relief even before needling the neck directly. These distal points may include Jing River points, which are found near the wrists or ankles and are especially effective in moving qi. The neck is also said to be mirrored on the wrists and ankles, meaning stimulation in these areas can impact neck pain relief.

Our acupuncturists may take a more anatomical approach based on your condition. For example, tightness in the back of the neck is often linked to tight calves and Achilles tendons. By releasing the calf muscles, we can help the neck muscles relax.

Radiating pain, numbness, or tingling is also addressed by identifying the involved meridian. Once the meridian is known, treatment involves needling both distal and local points to restore qi flow. Radiating pain is often treated with Jing Well points, which are located at the fingertips or toes—the starting or ending points of each meridian. Stimulating these points can activate qi movement throughout the entire meridian.

Underlying disharmonies found during assessment are addressed to enhance results. For instance, qi deficiency can lead to stagnation and pain due to an inability to move qi through the meridians. In this case, the treatment will focus on supplementing qi. If the pain is linked to stress or anxiety, these emotional components will be treated along with the physical symptoms to achieve lasting relief.

Estim (short for electrical stimulation or electroacupuncture) may be incorporated. It is applied to spasming muscles to reset them and promote muscle relaxation. Estim can also be used at various acupuncture points to trigger the release of neurotransmitters that naturally reduce pain.

Beyond Acupuncture

Other therapeutic techniques such as cupping, gua sha, moxibustion (moxa), and manual release may be included in your treatment plan to accelerate pain relief.

Takeaways

Our acupuncturists will take time to understand the root cause of your neck pain and design a customized treatment plan based on your individual needs. We’ll clearly communicate the expected treatment outcomes and the recommended course of care to help you achieve the best possible relief.