Neck pain
Neck pain can occur suddenly, for example after a wrong movement, injury or night in an unfavourable position. In others the symptoms develop gradually through prolonged sitting, VDU work, repeated stress or muscle tension.
The neck can feel painful or stiff and move can become more difficult. Sometimes the pain is limited to the neck, but it can also go through the shoulders, upper back or head. If a nerve is irritated, pain, tingling or numbness may radiate to the arm or hand.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in both acute and prolonged neck complaints. The treatment is tailored to the possible cause, character of pain, motility and any other symptoms.
Western disorders in which neck pain may occur
Neck pain is a symptom and can have several causes. Common disorders and diagnoses are:
- non-specific or mechanical neck pain;
- muscle and tendon complaints due to overload;
- whiplash and other neck complaints after trauma;
- osteoarthritis of the neck vertebrae (cervical spondylosis);
- Neck hernia (cervical discus hernia);
- nerve root irritation from the neck (cervical radiculopathy);
- tension headache and cervical headache;
- overload or a sports injury.
A stiff or painful neck can also occur temporarily in case of a cold or flu, for example together with headaches, muscle pain, chills or a general feeling of being sick.
Not all neck pain is diagnosed with a specific condition. Especially in non-specific neck pain, multiple factors can play a role at the same time.
Possible causes
Neck pain can arise from muscles, joints, inter-spine discs, nerves and other structures in and around the neck. Sometimes there is a clear cause such as wrong movement, overload, sports injury or accident. In other cases, the symptoms develop gradually.
Long-term or one-sided stress, VDU work and long-term sitting in the same posture can contribute to neck complaints. Stress can also affect muscles around the neck, shoulders and jaws for a prolonged period of tension.
In case of long-term complaints, changes in vertebral disks or joints may play a role. Irritation of a nerve can also cause pain, tingling or sensational changes towards shoulder, arm or hand.
How can acupuncture help with neck pain?
Acupuncture looks at the place and character of the pain, how the symptoms have arisen and what movements or conditions affect the pain. Also radiating pain, muscle tension, stiffness and motility are included. The treatment can be adjusted during recovery.
Acupuncture may include:
- reduce neck pain and tenderness;
- reduce tension in the neck, shoulder and jaw muscles;
- reduce stiffness and support the motility of the neck;
- treat complaints that radiate from the neck to the head, shoulders or arms;
- support the recovery after overload, wrong movement or injury;
- support long-term or recurrent neck complaints and the strength of the area.
For neck pain, in addition to acupuncture, cupping, massage or moxa can be used if this fits the complaints.
When posture, movement or capacity for activity play an important role, acupuncture can be combined with physiotherapy, exercise therapy or a targeted build-up of loads.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with neck pain?
Chinese herbs can be used in addition to acupuncture, especially when neck pain is present for a long time, regularly returns or is associated with other complaints. As herbs are taken daily, they can also provide support between acupuncture treatments.
Depending on the underlying pattern, Chinese herbal medicine may focus on:
- supporting neck flow in sharp, local or persistent pain;
- regulate tension when stress and tense muscles clearly affect the complaints;
- treat cold and acute stiffness when neck complaints are associated with cold or flu symptoms;
- supporting muscle and tendon recovery after overload or injury;
- to support recovery and general capacity for activity in the event of prolonged or recurrent neck discomfort.
The composition is tailored to your complaints and general health and can be adjusted during the treatment process. Herbs are not required for any type of neck pain; in a mainly local or mechanical complaint, the emphasis may be on acupuncture, movement and targeted exercises.
How does Chinese medicine view neck pain?
Within Western medicine, it looks at which structures or disorders can explain the neck pain, such as muscles, joints, vertebral discs or nerves. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also looks at the character of the pain and the circumstances that caused or continues to cause the complaint.
In case of pain symptoms, the meridians and the flow of Qi and Blood are particularly central. Meridians are seen within TCM as compounds through the body that circulates Qi and Blood. Several meridians run through the neck and connect this area with, among other things, the head, shoulders, upper back and arms. Therefore, the precise location of the pain and possible appearance can help determine which meridians receive attention during treatment.
An important starting point within TCM is that pain occurs when the free flow in an area is obstructed. After overload, this disturbance can be relatively mild, while after a fall, whiplash or other injury a stronger local stagnation may occur. During prolonged stress, persistent muscle tension can also influence the free movement.
A special picture for neck pain is sudden stiffness during the onset of a cold or flu. Within TCM this is described as Wind, possibly combined with Cold or Heat. This is not a long-term neck complaint, but an acute change associated with other cold or flu symptoms.
A recognizable combination of such characteristics is called a TCM pattern. Two people with the same Western diagnosis, e.g. nonspecific neck pain, can therefore have different patterns and be treated differently.
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns may occur at the same time. Not everyone with the same pattern has all the mentioned symptoms. The pattern is determined based on the overall picture of your symptoms.
What's a meridian?
Most common TCM patterns for neck pain
Qi- and Blood stagnation
With Qi- and Blood stagnation, local flow in the neck is hampered. This often occurs after overload, wrong movement or when certain postures or movements cause the same complaints over and over again.
Common symptoms: local neck pain, tension or stiffness, pressure sensitive muscles, limited mobility and symptoms that increase with certain movements or prolonged loads. The pain may radiate to the shoulder, upper back or head.
Examples of Western disorders: non-specific neck pain, muscle and tendon complaints, cervical headaches and various overload symptoms.
Blood stasis
In Blood stasis, local stagnation is stronger and usually more persistent. This pattern can occur after a fall, whiplash or other trauma, but also when local neck pain remains present for a long time.
Common symptoms: sharp or stabbing pain, clearly defined pain spot, strong sensitivity to pressure and limited mobility. The symptoms may also be present at rest and persist for a long time after an earlier injury.
Examples of Western disorders: whiplash, neck complaints after an accident or sports injury and chronic local neck pain after previous trauma.
Liver Qi-stagnation
With Liver Qi-stagnation, the movement of Qi according to TCM is less flexible. This pattern fits especially when stress, emotional stress and prolonged muscle tension clearly affect neck complaints. Often the shoulders or jaw are also tense.
Common symptoms: tense neck and shoulder muscles, oppressive or nagging pain, varying symptoms and worsening during periods of stress. Headache, jaw tension, tooth grinding or general tense sensation may occur simultaneously. Movement, massage or relaxation can give relief.
Examples of Western disorders: tension-related neck pain, stress headache and non-specific neck and shoulder complaints in which muscle tension plays a clear role.
Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat
Within TCM, Wind is used to describe complaints that occur suddenly and can change quickly. When the neck becomes acutely stiff and painful during the onset of a cold or flu, this can be seen as Wind combined with Cold or Heat.
Common symptoms: sudden stiff or painful neck, difficulty turning the head, tense neck and shoulders and headaches. Wind-Cold may have chills and a cold feeling in front of it. Wind-Heat is more likely to fit throat pain, warmth and fever.
Examples of Western disorders: acute neck stiffness that occurs during or around the onset of a cold or flu.
Qi- and Blood deficiency
When TCM says that insufficient Qi and Blood are available to support muscles and other tissues, the neck may become more tired and recovery after load can be slower. This pattern is particularly effective in case of prolonged complaints and may be associated with local stagnation or muscle tension.
Common symptoms: nasty neck pain, fast tired neck and shoulder muscles, symptoms that increase after prolonged stress, general fatigue and slow recovery. Sometimes dizziness or light-headedness may also occur.
Examples of Western disorders: long-term or recurrent nonspecific neck pain with fatigue and reduced strength at the forefront.
Outlook
How quickly neck pain improves depends on the cause, duration and severity of the symptoms and factors that affect recovery. Acute neck pain after wrong movement, temporary overload or muscle tension can recover relatively quickly, while prolonged complaints, whiplash, osteoarthritis or nerve irritation usually require more time.
In the initial phase, treatment is often given approximately once a week. For acute or severe symptoms, temporary treatment can be appropriate two to three times a week. If pain decreases and motility improves, the frequency can usually be reduced. These are guidelines; the course of treatment is tailored to your situation.
In addition, it is important to include factors such as posture, VDU work, movement, muscle strength and daily stress. Depending on the cause, acupuncture can be combined with physiotherapy or practice therapy.
When is medical research important?
Most neck pain has no serious cause, but some symptoms require medical assessment.
Contact a doctor if there is new or increasing loss of strength in the arm or hand, clear sensational disturbances, problems with walking or coordination or neck pain following a serious accident. Also severe neck pain with high fever, severe headache, drowsiness or apparent neck stiffness may be cause for rapid medical assessment.
Even if new or unexplained neck pain is rapidly worsening or not improving as expected, it is wise to have the cause medically assessed.
Contact
Do you suffer from neck pain and want to know if acupuncture can mean anything to you?
During a first consultation, we will discuss your complaints, medical history and any underlying factors. On the basis of this, a treatment plan will be drawn up that matches your situation.
You can make an appointment directly online or contact us for more information.