NECK PAIN

Causes of neck pain

Neck pain can have a variety of causes. Keeping your head in an awkward position can cause your neck muscles to fatigue and the joints in your neck to “lock” in place, causing discomfort, stiffness and limited range of motion. Neck pain can also be caused by a sudden force (such as an automobile accident), or a medical condition (swelling, disease, tumors, bleeding, inflammation, etc.). Some neck pain can also cause headaches. 

The neck has seven cervical vertebrae (neck bone), which provide passages for blood vessels and nerves, and attachment points for muscles. The vertebrae support, balance and aid the movement of the head. Structural abnormalities, such as myofascial syndrome (muscle pain), spondylosis (degenerative wear and tearing of bone) and osteophytes (bone spurs) may cause symptoms such as stiffness in the neck and shoulders, headaches, radiating pain, tingling, numbness and weakness to the arms.

Who suffers from neck pain ?

Study has showed that certain occupations appear to be predisposed to neck symptoms. musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a common complaint among office workers, with 73% experiencing pain in at least one body part, namely neck (46%), shoulder (42%) and lower back (42%). People who do repetitive tasks with their upper extremities, or who undergo periods of prolonged sitting with their head in a flexed position (such as typing on a keyboard at a desk) are at risk of developing mechanical neck pain. This inactivity and poor posture can cause the neck muscles to be fatigued, reduce blood circulation in the tissues and strain the musculoskeletal joints, thus causing the joints to “lock” in place.

Finding ways to improve posture and manage pain is key to living well and pain-free. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an option that may offer a solution.

TCM help neck pain

TCM is a holistic approach that believes an individual has self-recovery abilities. The TCM treatment methods are supplementary measures to accelerate this process. It can help to promote smooth circulation, reduce swelling and inflammation, and to support tissue recovery.

In TCM, the pain is usually associated with:

• Coldness寒 (which contracts muscles and causes them to be sore and “in knots”),
• Dampness湿 (which causes swelling and soreness), and
• Deficiency虚 (which lead to degenerative changes).

Typically, a TCM physician collects medical history and data through four diagnostic principles of inspection, Olfactory and auscultation, inquiry and palpation in order to determine a diagnosis that will enable the physician to formulate a treatment plan for a patient.

Treatment is in the form of oral herbal medication, topical plasters, cupping, acupuncture or Tuina (therapeutic massage), or a combination of these. The objective is to expel coldness to relax muscles, improve blood circulation and dampness to reduce swelling and eliminate deficiency through nourishment to help with building strength.

How can acupuncture, acupping and tuina ease the conditions?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of hair-like needles into specific acupoints along the meridians (channels) on the body. Through the right selection of acupoints and manipulation of the needles, a physician can achieve the desired effects.

Cupping and Tuina have similar properties and the physician can advise their use based on the type and severity of conditions. These treatments and prescriptions also unclog the obstructed meridians and enable the herbs to permeate into the affected areas, all with the aim of reducing pain and regaining your smile.

3 acuppressure points for neck pain 

Feng Chi GB20 Location: Located at the base of skull, 2 finger-widths from the midline, depression points where neck muscles attach to the skull.

Functions: Relieve neck and shoulder pain, tension headaches and migraine.

Jian Jing GB21 Location: Located directly above the nipple, on the mid-line of the shoulder trapezius muscle.

Functions: Relieve tight shoulder and stiff neck, as well as occipital headache.

Hou Xi SI3 Location: Clench your fist, located at the palm crease on the little finger side, where the palm-finger joint is.

Functions: Relieve neck and shoulder pain, lower back ache, tension headaches and migraine.

Why Shanghai Medical Clinic?

Shanghai medical clinic is one of top-rated Chinese medical clinic in Dubai authorized by Dubai Health Authority in 1997. The clinic has a team of specialists who have accumulated rich experience in Chinese medicine treatments including acupuncture, Tuina and Chinese herbal therapy.

In the clinic, we frequently see patients with neck pain from whiplash, herniated discs, pinched nerves, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and even improper positioning while working or sleeping. If you hope to find Chinese medical expert on neck & shoulder pain, the clinic is just what you are looking for. You can reach us at + 971 4343 4811 or make an booking for consultation and acupuncture program.