Acupuncture For Neck

Acupuncture has been utilized in China for lots of years. It involves the placement of skinny needles in the skin at specific points at the frame, depending on what is being treated. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, acupuncture facilitates treat various situations by way of unblocking energy (qi) so it is able to resume flowing naturally via its normal pathways (meridians). Although, scientific research has no longer yet confirmed the existence of qi or meridians.

See Acupuncture: An Ancient Treatment for a Current Problem

Additionally, a few studies have discovered that acupuncture can stimulate biochemical changes both locally (where the needles are located) and within the central nervous system. In theory, these biochemical modifications may also assist foster ache relief and other useful results in a few cases.1

Chronic neck pain and stiffness are commonplace motives for acupuncture remedies to be sought.

How Acupuncture Is Applied for Neck Pain and Stiffness

Acupuncture treatments can range widely primarily based on the practitioner’s techniques and remedy strategy. In maximum cases, the acupuncturist starts with the aid of asking approximately the patient’s signs and symptoms, diet, and each day routine, which may additionally supply clues about the only points on the frame to locate the needles.

Even when symptoms of pain and stiffness are most effective in the neck area, the needles may be placed in other regions of the frame similar to the neck. Depending on the treatment method, the affected person might be asked to lie at the stomach, back, or sit down in a reclined position.

It is not unusual for an acupuncture remedy session to closing someplace among 15 and 30 minutes. Relaxing music is probably performed to assist maintain the environment calm and soothing. After the treatment is completed, the thin needles are removed and disposed of.

The recommended duration and frequency of acupuncture sessions may also rely on how lengthy the neck pain and stiffness have already lasted, as well as the severity of symptoms. Ultimately, the selection is as much as the affected person as to whether the perceived advantages of the acupuncture treatments are really worth continuing. Some health insurance plans cowl acupuncture for treating persistent pain, however, others do no longer.

In This Article:

How to Treat Chronic Stiff Neck

Self-Care for Chronic Stiff Neck

Lifestyle Changes to Treat Chronic Stiff Neck

Manual Manipulation and Mobilization for Chronic Stiff Neck

Massage Therapy for Chronic Stiff Neck

Acupuncture for Neck

Efficacy of Acupuncture to Treat Stiff Neck

The clinical literature has been mixed concerning whether or not acupuncture is an effective treatment for continual neck pain and stiffness. Some small studies have cautioned that acupuncture can help enhance neck function and decrease pain, however, these consequences do no longer appear to close lengthy-term.2 There is likewise proof that acupuncture can help reduce pressure levels, which would possibly play a position in decreasing neck ache in a few individuals.3

See Stiff Neck Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Overall, most of the proof in favor of acupuncture is an effective treatment for a persistent stiff neck is based totally on human beings’ self-reporting or small research that provides weak scientific evidence. More research is needed to decide whether or not or not acupuncture can offer extra than just transient relief for a chronic stiff neck.

Risks of Acupuncture

When completed by way of a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is an exceptionally safe remedy. Most humans report that the treatment feels relaxing, but it is viable for some people to experience minor bruising or bleeding after a needle is removed.4 While extraordinarily rare, a few serious headaches from acupuncture have been reported, including organ puncture or infection.