Treat Neck Tension with Acupuncture

In this article we’ll discuss neck tension, which is one of the conditions that can be treated with acupuncture. In fact, neck and shoulder pain are one of the most treated issues here at Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center. For those who suffer from neck pain and tension, regular acupuncture sessions can be a helpful approach for dealing with symptoms. Acupuncture is performed by inserting thin needles into strategic points on the body – acupuncture for neck tension specifically is performed similarly.

Let’s discuss more about how Acupuncture can help with Neck Tension.

The neck is a common place to get muscle tension. That’s because the human neck does a lot of heavy lifting. The muscles of the neck are what allow you to hold your head up. The reason the neck gets strained usually has to do with overuse. While the muscles of the neck are flexible, they can get injured, causing pain and irritation. Postural problems may also play a role. Sitting on your phone texting or watching videos is no good either.

Other causes of neck pain are:

compressed nerves
muscle spasm
soft tissue injury
worn joints, which are most often caused by long term muscle tension
Spinal pain (the top of the spine is located in the neck.)

How Does Neck Tension Occur?

When you do suffer from neck pain and tension, it can happen slowly, over time. It can happen because of repetitive movements, repetitive sleeping position, and more. Or, it could happen all of a sudden, out of nowhere. For some who suffer from neck pain, the pain jumps out without warning. A person with neck tension will wake up with tense muscles because they slept in a weird position or they pulled a certain muscle when exercising. If neck tension is ongoing, the cause may be less in-your-face. For example, neck pain that lasts for months on end is often caused by teeth grinding or hunching. In truth, there are many different exercises, activities, and positions that can impact neck tension. But, what are the symptoms of neck tension?

What are the Symptoms of Neck Tension?

Symptoms of neck tension may occur suddenly, or they could come on slowly. Symptoms include:

Tightness in the muscles
Strain
Stiffness
Spasms
Trouble turning your head
Creeping pain that gets worse depending on how your neck moves

What are the Treatments for Neck Tension?

First you need to ask yourself, what is the root cause of my neck tension? Finding the underlying reason for your neck pain and tension may help you deal with it. In any case, acupuncture is a great way to treat tension and pain in the neck, back, and elsewhere. Next we’ll discuss acupuncture, but for now here are the other treatments..

Treatments for Neck Tension

Exercises and stretches – If you’ve been plagued by pain in the neck, you may have already looked up some good stretches to relieve tension in the neck. We use stretching in tandem with acupuncture for the best end result. Try the seated neck stretch for some quick relief. For this stretch you’ll sit down in a chair with feet hip distance apart. Tilt your head toward your left shoulder. Keep it there for 20 seconds. Then tilt your head toward the right shoulder. To amplify the stretch, take your closest hand and lightly press the head down further into the shoulder. Don’t strain your neck. Don’t go any farther down than comfortable.
Massage – deep tissue massage is great for strains.
Applying heat
A warm bath with epsom salt
Yoga
Using non-addictive NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Motrin and Advil.

Acupuncture for Neck Tension

One of the best treatments for neck tension is acupuncture. Acupuncture uses thin needles to stimulate nerves and increase blood flow. The result is less pain and tension overall. Acupuncture not only works for neck pain, it works for other types of pain as well, including back pain. Studies have found that acupuncture is great for those with Tension Neck Syndrome (TNS), especially when paired with exercise and stretching. To understand why acupuncture works for neck pain, you’ll first need to understand what trigger points are and how they cause your pain.

Trigger Points

For thousands of years in Chinese medicine these have been called Ashi points or “oh yes” points – they’re places that cause pain upon palpation of the tissue. Trigger points are tight and tender bands in the belly of a muscle. They can appear in any muscle and cause pain directly in the muscle while also referring to other areas. Trigger points are areas where the muscle has shortened and tightened – also called contraction. The circulation in these areas is impared, causing a lack of oxygen and nutrients. It also impairs the ability to clear waste products, resulting in pain and muscle dysfunction.

Muscles do not function in isolation, so when one muscle’s function is dysfunctional it can cause a series of reactions in the chain of muscles that work together to allow or produce certain movement. So when treating your injury we are looking for a pathway of pain. Connected places in the body affected by the injury or illness. We look for the areas of tightness causing muscle dysfunction as well as areas where there is pain. Only when both are treated can you achieve the rapid result I do with my patients, here at Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center. This type of treatment is what dry needling was originally based off of. In fact, the two have tons of similarities. If you’re interested in learning more about dry needling, here is a link to a video I did on it.

In Conclusion: How can Acupuncture Help with Neck Tension?

Neck tension causes a lot of pain and discomfort. The good thing is, acupuncture can help. Acupuncture doesn’t rely on painkillers to get the job done. Instead, acupuncture helps stimulate blood flow, which can help restore nerve function and improve pain overall.

Where can I treat Neck Tension with Acupuncture in Raleigh, North Carolina?

Neck tension is one of the conditions that can be treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture can also help with pain, swelling, migraines, bursitis, muscle cramps, hip pain, carpal tunnel, and more. If you’re searching for a qualified Acupuncturist to help with your neck tension in Raleigh, North Carolina, you’ll want to find someone with experience, qualifications, and compassion. Look no further than Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center. Our goal since 2010 has been to provide quality and compassionate acupuncture in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas.

Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center for all of your Acupuncture needs

Hi, I’m Jim Eleczko, the founder of Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center and it’s my mission to provide you with compassionate, whole-person care using holistic treatments, including Acupuncture and topical herbal medicine. I’m a board-certified and licensed Acupuncturist practicing since 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. I love that I get to wake up every day to make meaningful changes in my patient’s lives. I’ve seen first hand the changes that Acupuncture can make. As a teen I suffered from allergies and my father suggested that I try Acupuncture to calm the symptoms. It worked – and left a lasting impression on me! Now I offer Acupuncture and other treatments to help people with a variety of issues, including anxiety, migraines, fibromyalgia, and more. Our other treatments include Dry Needling, Tuina Massage, Guasha, Cupping, Stretching, Orthopedic Movements, Electroacupuncture and Therapeutic Exercises.

Here’s a bit more about me and my qualifications: I studied the 4-year program at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine and continue to travel multiple times a year to study with my mentor, Andrew Nugent-Head. I also studied under Dr. Ed Garbacz, M.D. LAc and spent a year working and studying under Dr. Bonnie Walker, M.D. LAc. I have also done extensive post-graduate studies in acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine from lectures of acupuncturists like Dr. Nguyen Van Nghi, Dr. Tran Viet Dzung, Matt Callison, and Edward Obaidey.

Get in touch with me by calling (919) 260-4104. I’d be happy to answer your questions and get you booked for an appointment today!