Acupuncture Therapy for Neck Pain

Acupuncture has many uses—one of which is to combat neck pain. This form of therapy is approximately 2,500 years old, according to The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine by Huangdi Neijing (circa 100 BCE).

Today, intelligent and cutting-edge therapists are combining modern science and Western medicine with old Eastern therapy practices like acupuncture. As a result, the professional acupuncturists of Thrive Spine & Sports Rehabilitation believe that acupuncture therapy can and will reduce neck pain.

The goal of this therapy is to find the root cause of neck pain and work to diminish that pain through multiple acupuncture sessions. Thrive’s acupuncturists develop customized wellness plans for patients to understand the root cause of neck pain. For many individuals, acupuncture is just one part of a necessary and greater plan for physical therapy, health, and wellness.

Acupuncture is all about moderating the flow of energy within patients. A seasoned acupuncturist understands which muscles affect different body parts—and how that might translate to pain, stiffness, or discomfort.

There are a few ways that acupuncture therapy can reduce and cure neck pain. Acupuncture is known to release muscle tightness and tension. Acupuncturists use thin, painless, single-use needles to stimulate blood flow and reduce muscle tightness. The needles are strategically inserted in (acu)pressure points and this stimulates the body’s natural healing function.

Benefits of Acupuncture When Healing Chronic Neck Pain or Stiffness

When seeking relief from chronic neck pain, patients can derive many benefits from acupuncture therapy because paper-thin needles dive under the skin to activate the body’s natural healing process. For neck pain and injuries in this area, an acupuncturist will stimulate healing on and around the neck:

• Around the base of the skull where neck muscles attach, which can relieve neck pain, headaches, and dizziness
• Between top of the shoulder and middle of the neck to target neck stiffness and tension as well as shoulder or trapezius muscle pain
• Between the base of the skull, back of the neck, and top of the spine to target neck and shoulder tension, headaches, and reduce neck pain
• The side of the hand below the pinky finger is actually effective to reduce neck pain and stiffness
• Between thumb and index finger on the hand—the pressure point can influence blood and energy flow to the neck for pain and tension relief

These are common areas that acupuncturists will target to reduce neck pain and stimulate healing.

In just one session, targeting these pressure points can relieve neck pain and stiffness. For most patients, it takes up to three sessions to feel significantly better. For other patients with longer-standing injuries or pain, a custom six-to-twelve-week acupuncture program may be in order. Relief of neck pain will come gradually depending on the severity of that pain and the associated root cause.

Acupuncturists will target common muscles and nerves around the neck to stimulate blood flow and relieve tension. After talking with patients, acupuncturists can understand which pressure points, muscles, and body parts may be associated with the root cause of neck pain.

Most importantly, acupuncture therapy for neck pain will promote advanced relaxation. Neck pain can disrupt the simplest activities—from working to sleeping. After an acupuncture session, patients will feel looser and find it easier to relax. What’s more, patients may achieve reduced stress and anxiety.

Individuals who are recovering from injury or surgery have found use for Thrive’s acupuncture therapy. Thrive has treated neck pain with acupuncture for all sorts of individuals—young athletes, men and women, as well as elderly individuals.

Are you finally ready to live pain-free?

Learn more about Acupuncture in Belmar and Acupuncture in Freehold.

Or call us at 732-359-7440 to schedule an appointment.

Possible Side-Effects of Acupuncture Therapy

When combating neck pain by implementing acupuncture therapy, there are a few things patients and acupuncturists should be aware of…

Pain and swelling around the needle sites is common but should never be worse than the original neck pain. In some cases, acupuncture can lead to mild bruising or tenderness.

While the possibility is very low, there is a chance of infection when using needles. However, Thrive’s acupuncturists always use sterile, single-use needles to prevent infection. Patients should clean the area after acupuncture for neck pain.

For very sensitive patients, there is a risk of dizziness or faintness immediately after the session. It’s important to move slowly, drink water, and relax directly after treatment. Patients may also feel nausea or a headache, though this is uncommon.

Finally, acupuncture can lead to drowsiness—often seen as a benefit if the patient needs relaxation or sleep.

The Drawbacks of Neck Pain

So, are the drawbacks of acupuncture worse than the drawbacks of living with chronic neck pain?

Living with neck pain means doing less of what you love. Operating at less than 100% means every task—from work to play—will be as difficult as the severity of pain.

Living and working through an injury makes an individual more accident prone. Even supported neck pain can worsen with sudden movement. Whether it’s a quick turn of the head to watch a sports game or crossing through traffic, chronic neck pain makes everyday tasks harder and increases the risk of injury.

Finally, some people resort to pain-numbing pharmaceuticals when they feel there’s no way out of chronic neck pain. However, this quick pain relief carries its own side-effects and doesn’t lead to a pain-free life. Acupuncture is a holistic therapy with far fewer and less serious side-effects than those associated with pain-numbing drugs.

Acupuncturists at Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab

AJ Adamczyk is the owner and founder of Thrive. He is a licensed acupuncturist who treats patients at Thrive’s Belmar and Thrive’s Freehold offices. Acupuncture is one of the main pillars of physical wellness at Thrive.

Clint Price and Aaron Park are two licensed acupuncturists who work at both Thrive locations. Patients can receive top-quality acupuncture care for neck pain in Belmar or Freehold.

At Thrive, the acupuncturists focus on quality, not quantity. They spend the time needed to diagnose root causes of pain and provide a plan for weekly acupuncture sessions over a course tailored to the severity of pain or injury.

Thrive’s acupuncturists are students of wellness—having themselves been patients over the years as active athletes. They bring patience and personal experience to work with patients who face similar issues.

Thrive’s Approach to Acupuncture Care for Neck Pain in NJ

Neck pain is no new ailment, and neither is acupuncture therapy. What is new is the integration of acupuncture into Western medicine and physical therapy.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to acupuncture. However, working with a Thrive acupuncturist, patients will get to the bottom of the issues causing neck pain.

Acupuncture therapy is an investment in a pain-free life. Some individuals feel results immediately, while others require more sessions to build and maintain lifelong health. If more attention and work are required, Thrive can support a three-pronged approach with acupuncture, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.

Acupuncture FAQ

Does acupuncture help chronic neck pain?

Yes. According to Thrive Spine & Sports Rehabilitation practitioners and patients, acupuncture alleviates neck pain. If additional services are necessary, Thrive’s healthcare team can also offer physical therapy and chiropractic care alongside acupuncture.

How many acupuncture sessions are recommended to heal neck pain?

Many patients experience a 50% reduction in neck pain after two or three sessions. Thrive’s practitioners work with patients to outline a weekly acupuncture plan tailored to the severity of their pain.

What does acupuncture mean to Thrive?

Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab was founded by an acupuncturist and sports recovery professional who has offered this therapy as a leading form of care from day one.

What are common causes of neck pain?

• Sports-related injury
• Poor posture
• Stress
• Bad sleeping habits
• Lack of stretching and physical activity

What are some complementary forms of therapy to go along with acupuncture?

Depending on patient needs, they may see acupuncturists, chiropractors, and physical therapists. Long-term pain relief is achieved faster by reducing dysfunction via acupuncture plus strength and manual therapy. The goal is long, pain-free life.

What are the main benefits of acupuncture?

The main benefits for sports recovery are pain and tension relief, improved blood flow and joint function, and increased muscle range of motion. Other benefits include improved sleep, digestion, stress reduction, and anxiety relief.

Why does acupuncture work? What is the mechanism at work?

Acupuncture delivers profound stimulation to the system. The needle below the skin sends signals throughout the body and to the brain, initiating a healing state and putting your natural healing mechanism into overdrive.

What does an acupuncturist do to relieve neck pain?

Thrive’s acupuncturists interview patients to determine how long the issue has persisted. In the first session, hair-thin needles are placed in and around the neck and body to relieve muscle tension. A custom protocol is developed to open range of motion, reduce tension, and relieve pain. While some relief may come after one session, long-standing pain or injury may require weekly sessions over a longer period.

Who should receive acupuncture care?

Anyone with pain or recovering from injury should inquire about acupuncture therapy at Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab.

When do you know you need acupuncture?

Many patients discover acupuncture at Thrive after trying other methods. Once they see great results, acupuncture becomes their first line of defense for physical and mental wellness.