Should You Consider Acupuncture For Neck Pain?
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have used acupuncture for thousands of years to treat a wide range of ailments. By inserting a thin needle into specific areas of your body, you will notice a reduction of inflammation, an improvement in circulation, and a release of neurochemicals like dopamine and serotonin. All this will not only promote relaxation as it will relieve pain.
Acupuncture For Neck Pain
One of the things that many people don't know about acupuncture is that the treatments vary depending on both the practitioner and the treatment strategy. Nevertheless, all acupuncture consults start with the practitioner asking you about your symptoms, daily routine, and diet. This information provides the practitioner with clues so he can determine the most effective points on the body to place the needles.
When you are feeling neck pain, for example, you might assume that the needles would be inserted only in this area of your body. However, it depends on the practitioner and the treatment he or she defined for you. He or she may also ask you to simply sit in a reclined position or you may need to lie on your back or stomach.
If you decide to use acupuncture to treat neck pain, you need to know that there isn't an exact number of sessions or frequency. Again, it depends on the acupuncturist and the treatment he defined according to the information you provided him in the first place.
You should keep in mind that acupuncture can be combined with other treatments. In fact, even some acupuncturists will recommend that you do so. These may include aromatherapy, massage, or even relaxation techniques.
Efficacy Of Acupuncture For Neck Pain
If you have neck pain, you probably already tried a massage or two and even some over-the-counter medicines. Although you may have noticed some positive effects in the short term, unless you hit the root of the problem, your neck will continue to hurt. This is why so many people turn to acupuncture for neck pain.
It's important that you know that there aren't many studies related to the efficacy of acupuncture for neck pain. However, some small studies have shown that acupuncture can help improve neck function and reduce pain but only in the short term. You can also expect to see your stress levels reduced, which can certainly help you get some neck pain relief as well.
Bottom Line
Overall speaking, acupuncture should be considered an alternative to treat neck pain. Although, you should consider it not as a unique therapy but use it along with other treatments.
Although the evidence regarding acupuncture's efficiency to treat neck pain is small and not conclusive, most practitioners tend to agree that it is a great way to relax and decrease stress levels. So, even if you only notice these last two, you'll certainly feel your neck pain decrease and find some relief.
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