The acupuncture and Chinese medicine solution for back and neck pain relief

In acupuncture, stress in modern life together with physical and mental tension can contribute to neck pain. Overstrain, physical trauma, lifestyle, lack of protection from climate, constitutional weakness, or even surgery can manifest pain.

Apart from finding the cause of the neck pain to arrive at a correct diagnosis, Orthopaedic testing is very helpful in clinic. With neck pain, I have found the Compression Test and the Adson Test to be very useful.

The Compression Test can indicate narrowing of the neural foramen whereas the Adson Test can indicate compression of the subclavian artery. So if any one of these two tests proves positive, further investigations would be necessary. Referring the patient back to his western medical doctor is suggested.

The neck is a part of the spine that is mostly prone to attacks by wind and cold. It is also an area that is likely to be exposed to these two elements. So take care during the day while outdoors or after sports.

On the other hand, prolonged exposure to the wind or exposure to wind after sweating or after heavy physical exercise can also lead to pain or stiffness in the neck.

In addition, a bad sleeping position can cause a stiff neck or wry neck. A draught can affect the neck due to insufficient covering when sleeping.

I have found that all of these can factors have led to pain in the neck.

The wind and the cold, considered as External Pathogens in acupuncture, invade the neck and upper back causing stagnation of Qi and blood in the meridians or Invasion of Pathogenic Cold. These manifest as neck pain.

Chinese Medicine also considers delays in receiving treatment, or improper treatment, as causes that may prolong neck pain, which eventually may also lead to further damage.

Attack of Toxic Fire

This is represented by neck pain, rigidity, redness, swelling, and can be accompanied by headache, nervousness, dizziness and irritability. The location of the area affected together with other signs and symptoms will help the acupuncturist to accurately determine the meridians to be treated.

This attack of the body by toxic fire includes the invasion of external toxic heat or internal fire from hyperactivity of Liver Fire. The Liver and Gall Bladder meridians are yin and yang paired meridian partners; the back of the neck and upper back are mainly under the control of Gall Bladder meridian.

Emotional Disturbance

It is very common to see neck pain when there is deep-seated anger or stress. In Chinese medicine the Liver (wood element) is associated with the emotions, mainly anger. This emotional connection reflected through the neck can be understood when you consider that the neck joins our head with our chest.

The neck is the metaphysical seat of the intellect and the chest is the metaphysical seat of the emotions. Hence, any disharmony in the intellect or emotions can reflect in the neck. I have found Stagnation of Liver Qi caused by excess stress, frustration or depression can cause neck pain. The key for good results is to treat both the neck pain and the Liver Qi stagnation.

Physical Injury

Bad posture, physical trauma, accidents, sports injuries, or simply excess physical strain of the neck affects the normal circulation of Qi and Blood which cause disharmony of the meridians. This obstructs the tendons, impair the muscles and lead to stagnation of Qi and Blood culminating in neck pain.

Poor Constitution

Acupuncture recognises congenital weakness as a contributing factor in neck pain. This weakness of Qi and Blood is due to excessive physical or mental work, prolonged illness, poor diet or excessive sexual activity. It undernourishes the structures of the neck.

If the bones of the neck are involved, Kidney Essence deficiency may be present.

A reminder for your acupuncture treatment

It is important for you to try and accurately describe your pain to your acupuncturist. For example, the sensation of pain can be sharp, stabbing, burning or contracting type of pain. Your doctor will also need to know if you have stiffness, radiating pain or loss of sensation in the hand or fingers. Most importantly, you should point out the exact location of the pain and the areas of radiating pain.

Above all, please be willing to cooperate with your acupuncturist.

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