Neck Pain

Neck pain can be a real pain in the neck and has the power to change the course of your days or nights. Finding lasting relief becomes a primary focus, and is possible when you rely on Dr. Shangyou Zhong, of Sunyo Acupuncture Center, with offices in San Juan Capistrano and Santa Monica, California. Call the nearest office or book an appointment online today. 

What are some of the more common causes of neck pain?

Who hasn’t reached up to rub a sore neck, or stretched their head to one side and then the other to lessen stiffness? While occasional neck pain is usually nothing to worry about, neck pain that is severe or recurring deserves your full attention. 

Your neck is a relatively small structure that performs a big task. It not only houses your upper spine and spinal cord, but your neck also stabilizes and balances the full weight of your head. Not to mention the nearly constant motion the neck enables as you look at your surroundings. 

Neck pain can develop in various ways. Some of the potential causes of neck pain include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Pinched nerve
• Herniated disc
• Muscle strain
• Whiplash and other traumatic injuries
• Bone spurs
• Tumors
• Strain from stress or anxiety

Fortunately, there are ways to improve neck pain that don’t rely on surgical intervention or pharmaceutical assistance.  

How can acupuncture treat neck pain?

Acupuncture is an ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine, one that remains popular today. It relies on inserting numerous sterile treatment needles into the skin in very specific placement areas. 

A traditional view of acupuncture holds that the body’s energy, or qi, flows through a series of meridians. If one or more of these passageways becomes clogged, your energy cannot get where it is most needed. Pain and a range of other symptoms can follow. Acupuncture can restore proper qi movement, relieving those symptoms. 

A more modern, Western view of acupuncture holds that the treatment needles stimulate your nervous system, releasing tight muscles, improving blood flow, and disrupting pain signals between your body and brain.  

How long does it take to recover from neck pain?

Everyone has a unique experience with neck pain, stemming from the events and conditions that led to the pain. Your treatment experience will also be unique and shaped by how well your body responds to therapy, as well as any other treatment modalities you choose. 

In addition to acupuncture, Sunyo Acupuncture Center also offers massage therapy, cupping, moxibustion, and other options that can help you move beyond nagging neck pain. During your initial consultation, Dr. Zhong examines your neck and discusses your symptoms to help guide you toward the options that offer the best path toward relief. 

To schedule a neck pain evaluation, call Sunyo Acupuncture Center or request an appointment online today.