7 Benefits of Using Acupuncture for Neck Pain

We all deal with neck pain from time to time. Maybe you strained it while exercising at the gym, or you’ve been putting in extra hours at work hunched over your computer, or perhaps you were involved in an accident. Whether you’re dealing with an occasional flare-up or you’re someone who suffers from chronic neck pain, then you know how much it can impact your life. And if it’s been going on long enough, it may be causing tension and discomfort in other areas of your body as well, resulting in headaches, shoulder pain, and tension in your upper back and trapezius muscles just to name a few possibilities.

If you’re feeling frustrated because you’ve tried other treatment modalities without success, consider adding acupuncture to your healthcare regimen. Acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for many varieties of neck pain from occasional soreness to chronic conditions.

The Benefits of Acupuncture for Neck Pain

Here are 7 benefits you may experience while receiving acupuncture for neck pain.

• Relief from the effects of everyday stress and strain on your neck.
• Relaxation of tense and overworked neck muscles.
• Increased range of motion previously impaired by muscle tension and strain.
• Reduced muscle spasms.
• Faster healing of acute neck injuries.
• Elimination or reduced dependence on any pain medication you may be taking.
• Overall relaxation and reduced stress throughout your body.

The Role of Integrative Medicine in Treating Neck Pain

Combining acupuncture with other modalities found in integrative medicine can enhance the benefits you’ll receive from acupuncture. For example, your acupuncturist may suggest some herbal remedies that can provide some much needed relief and improve your quality of life. Chinese herbal medicine has long been used to alleviate pain. Depending upon your unique needs and the underlying cause of your neck pain your acupuncturist can create a formula just for you that will address your symptoms.

Other integrative medicine modalities that can be used alongside acupuncture for neck pain include Tui Na (traditional Chinese massage), Cupping (skin suctioning), and Gua Sha (a skin-scraping technique). All of these modalities can be used to also support you during your healing process and can be an effective alternative to over-the-counter and prescription pain medications, which can have unpleasant side effects and risks.

If you struggle with neck pain, consider seeing an integrative medicine practitioner who can provide acupuncture in combination with other integrative medicine modalities. Not only will your healthcare provider treat your neck pain, but he or she will treat any related conditions and talk to you about lifestyle modifications to prevent future injuries or flare-ups. This is important because dealing with a painful condition long term can create tension in other areas of the body, cause fatigue, and may even affect your mood. This whole body approach applied by your provider will explore the root cause of your symptoms and discomfort resulting in improved overall health.

If you are ready to experience the benefits of acupuncture, then contact NJ Natural Family Health. Dr. Shannon DiCarlo RN LAc DAOM is a Registered Nurse and an integrative medicine practitioner offering acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutritional counseling. Her practice features an on-site herbal pharmacy which she utilizes to provide her patients with formulas that focus on managing symptoms and addressing any underlying causes. Dr. DiCarlo is dedicated to helping her patients enjoy a long, happy, and healthy life.​