Acupuncture for Neck and Shoulder Pain

  • By Dr Ting, Xie
  • 11 Sep, 2024

Are you tired of living with chronic neck and shoulder pain?Acupuncture offers a natural and effective solution.

With the advancement of technology and the increasing use of electronic devices, more and more people are spending prolonged periods looking down at screens, leading to a surge in cervical spondylosis, common symptoms are neck and shoulder pain. This condition significantly impacts a person’s quality of life, work, and study. Therefore, finding a safe and effective treatment is crucial for those suffering from cervical spondylosis.

Neck and shoulder pain is the most common initial symptom of cervical spondylosis. If left untreated, the pain may radiate to the arms or fingers, limiting neck movement. In severe cases, symptoms can include numbness, weakness in the fingers, tinnitus, and dizziness.

The primary cause of cervical spondylosis is an imbalance in the mechanics of the cervical spine. This imbalance is often caused by tense muscles in the neck, leading to misalignment of the small joints in the cervical spine, bone spurs, herniated discs, and abnormal curvature. These conditions can compress the vertebral artery and the sympathetic nerve plexus, obstructing blood flow and causing symptoms such as hypoxia, malnutrition, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) focuses on balancing the body’s yin and yang and correcting the mechanical imbalance of the cervical spine to treat cervical spondylosis.

Acupuncture, by stimulating specific points on the neck, shoulders, and other parts of the body, can improve local blood circulation, repair damaged nerves and their associated muscles, correct misalignments of the small joints in the cervical spine, and restore the mechanical balance of the cervical spine. This treatment is highly effective in relieving pain and controlling the progression of the condition.

The number of acupuncture sessions needed for acute neck and shoulder pain can vary depending on several factors, including: 1.Severity of pain: More severe pain may require more sessions.   2.Individual response: Some people may respond more quickly to acupuncture than others. 3.Underlying causes: The presence of other health conditions or lifestyle factors can influence the treatment duration.  

Generally, many patients experience significant relief after 3-5 acupuncture sessions. However, a personalized treatment plan may be recommended, with follow-up sessions to maintain improvement and address any recurring symptoms.