Neck Pain is very Common

Neck pain causes lots of difficulty, preventing freedom of movement. It is one of the most common problems faced by many people who declare that this issue stops them from performing every day and work-related activities. 

Muscle tension and back strain often cause pain in the neck area, but factors such as worn joints and damaged cartilage can also cause soreness and pain. Traditional Five Element Acupuncture can be effective for neck pain and tension, either as a stand – alone treatment or alongside other treatments and therapies.

What Causes Neck Pain?

Since your neck is flexible and supports your head’s weight, it can be quite vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain and limit motion. The factors that commonly cause neck pain are the following:

• Muscle strains: Muscle strains are often caused by spending too much time on the computer, smartphone, or even reading in bed.
• Muscle pain: Aching or sore neck and shoulder muscles may occur in response to overexertion or prolonged physical or emotional stress. The neck muscles may develop hard knots that are tender to the touch, sometimes called trigger points.
• Muscle spasm: This is a sudden, powerful tightening of neck muscles. Your neck may hurt and feel tight or knotted, and it may be impossible to turn your head. When you wake up with a painful, stiff neck, that’s likely a muscle spasm. Muscle spasm can result from a muscle injury, but it may also occur in response to a spinal disc or nerve problem, or even emotional stress.
• Headaches: Neck related headache is most often felt in the back of the head and upper neck and is usually the result of muscle tension or spasm. Neck-related headache pain is usually dull or aching, rather than sharp; the neck might also feel stiff or tender.
• Facet joint pain: Often described as deep, sharp, or aching, pain in the facet joints (part of the vertebrae of the neck) typically worsens if you lean your head toward the affected side and may radiate to your shoulder or upper back. Arthritis in the facet joints, as in other locations, may feel worse in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
• Nerve compression: This issue comes from herniated discs or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck. It can press on the nerves causing pain in that area.
• Nerve pain: Irritation or pinching of the roots of the spinal nerves causes pain that may be sharp, fleeting, severe, or accompanied by pins and needles. Depending on the nerve involved, the pain may shoot down the arm or even into the hand.
• Injuries: Any injury to the neck can provoke pain, especially those resulting from car collisions
• Certain diseases: Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer, can cause neck pain
• Referred pain: Referred pain is pain in one part of the body that is triggered by a problem in another part of the body. For example, neck pain that worsens with exertion may indicate a heart problem, while neck pain that occurs when you eat may stem from a problem in the oesophagus
• Bad posture: and wrong body positioning can affect neck health and cause tensions and pain.
• Stress: can cause pain and tension in the neck
• Bone pain: Pain and tenderness in the cervical vertebrae are far less common than neck pain from the soft tissues. Bone pain needs medical attention because it may signal a more serious health problem.

Traditional Acupuncture

Traditional Acupuncture is ancient treatment from China and Japan Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years for treating a wide variety of degenerative diseases and providing pain relief. It involves the use of specific acupuncture points on the body, which are selected based on the condition and person who needs to be treated.

Needles

Needles used for acupuncture are thin, fine, sterile and single use, which means that the entire treatment is performed safely and efficiently. According to ancient wisdom of acupuncture, the stimulation of acupuncture points on the body, helps unblock your vital energy (Qi), which allows it to flow seamlessly through the body mind and spirit to help reduce of pain and inflammation bringing general well-being.

Traditional Acupuncture impacts the blood circulation and biochemical changes both in the place where needles are inserted and in the central nervous system. These changes can foster pain relief and bring other significant benefits to a person’s general health. 

Acupuncture Finding the Root Cause

Traditional Acupuncture practitioners observe the root of the problem and identify the underlying cause. According to Traditional Acupuncture neck pain and headaches are usually signs of something deeper going on, which is why your practitioner may pay attention to your spine’s health to check for the symptoms of bulging discs, injuries, damaged joints, nerve damage or condition, stress, mental and emotional health.

Help with Healing

Although it may be challenging to determine the exact cause of the pain, qualified acupuncturists will do in-depth examinations and find the root of your issue. You may be surprised to see that your neck pain is treated by inserting the needles in the abdominal area or your feet, as well as the area of pain, such an approach is efficient since it reduces the inflammation and strengthens Qi balancing health to help induce relief and healing.

Research

For more information about research into how Acupuncture can help Neck pain se link;- https://acupuncture.org.uk/fact-sheets/neck-pain-2019/

Acupuncture Treatment

For more information and treatment contact Hannnah ; https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/contact/

Hannah is a member of the British Acupuncture Council

The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) – the UK’s largest, member-led, professional body for Traditional Acupuncturists.

Our members belong to an accredited register, regulated and approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health & Social Care (PSA). The PSA protects the public by overseeing the regulation and registration of healthcare professionals – including statutorily regulated professions, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and Accredited Registers like the BAcC. This offers a quality mark for high standards of training, safe practice and professional conduct. For more information see:- https://acupuncture.org.uk/