Acupuncture For Neck Tension
Neck tension refers to the pain that occurs when neck muscles cannot relax. Neck muscle tension is a common complaint. It is estimated that about 71% of adults around the world will experience neck pain due to neck muscle tension at some point in their lifetime.
The neck contains several flexible muscles that support the weight of the head. Overuse injuries and postural problems can injure these muscles, causing excruciating pain. Neck pain can affect a person’s ability to do daily activities and consequently, their quality of life. Many people with neck pain skip social events and stop participating in the activities they enjoy, to avoid painful triggers.
Prolonged neck tension that goes untreated and ignored can cause even more damage. Untreated muscle strains can lead to frequent neck pain and even permanent damage, affecting one’s range of motion and flexibility in the neck.
Root & Stem Integrative Chinese Medicine is a group of leading acupuncture specialists in Oakland that offer clients a wide range of acupuncture services. Our team of licensed practitioners knows that each client’s wellness needs and goals are different, treating each client with services to support their specific needs.
Our team of practitioners knows what a pain in the neck, and neck tension can be. That is why our team compiled some information about how acupuncture can help in alleviating the pain of neck tension.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms of neck muscle tension include muscle spasms, soreness, stiffness, sharp or intense pain that worsens with movement or when you hold your head in one position for a long time and decreased range of motion. Pain caused by a stiff neck can vary in intensity, ranging from mild to extremely sharp.
Causes
Some common causes of neck tension include:
➢ Poor Posture: Poor posture that results from hunching over a laptop or smartphone or slouching in a chair can trigger neck muscle strains. A 2016 study found a correlation between a forward head position and increased neck pain. Poor posture can cause the weight of the head to shift forward. As a result, the neck muscles are forced to work harder to support the head. In addition to moving the head forward, hunching forces the neck to bend with it, overextending the muscles in the back of the neck. Repeated overextension of muscles leads to pain and inflammation
➢ Teeth Grinding: Bruxism is a condition in which the affected person grinds, clenches, or gnashes their teeth while they sleep. Teeth grinding increases pressure on the jaw and neck muscles, which causes neck tension and pain
➢ Sleeping in the Wrong Position: Many people sleep on their stomachs, not realizing that resting in this posture can overextend the neck muscles. People who stay in this position throughout the night often wake up with a stiff neck the following morning
➢ Stress: When a person is stressed, their brain signals the pituitary gland to release different hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. These hormones tighten muscles. If a person experiences stress regularly, their neck, shoulder, and other muscles remain tense and contracted for longer periods. As a result, neck or shoulder tension occurs
➢ Repetitive Neck Movements: People who perform repetitive neck movements can develop repetitive motion disorders. Though these disorders usually affect the hands, shoulders, and wrists, they can also occur in the neck. If ignored, a repetitive motion disorder can lead to pain, inflammation, and even permanent tissue damage
➢ Injuries: If you lift heavy weights, play impact sports, or experienced whiplash in a car crash, a neck muscle strain can occur
How Can Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture is an ancient medical technique that originated in China more than 3,000 years ago. The Chinese have been using acupuncture to treat everything from headaches to labor pain for centuries.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe that all illnesses result from energy blocks. Acupuncture specialists in Oakland insert paper-thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body, known as acupoints, to clear energy blocks.
Many people may shudder at the thought of having needles inserted through their skin. Acupuncture needles are very thin. An expert knows the proper way to insert them without causing pain or discomfort.
When performed by an expert, acupuncture is 100% safe. It does not have any side effects, is drug-free, and minimally invasive. Unlike many other treatment modalities that focus on the symptoms of health problems, acupuncture treats their root causes.
Many people with neck muscle tension turn to acupuncture to manage their condition. Various studies have shown that acupuncture can relieve discomfort associated with neck muscle tension.
Neck pain is one of the most common symptoms of neck muscle tension. Acupuncture relieves pain by stimulating the body to release endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers. It affects the part of the brain that regulates the level of serotonin, a chemical that transmits messages between nerve cells. Serotonin is responsible for regulating sleep, digestion, and mood.
Acupuncture does not just treat neck muscle tension, it can also prevent it. Stress is a risk factor for neck muscle tension. Research suggests that acupuncture can treat stress by increasing the production of feel-good hormones in the body. It also improves the circulation of blood throughout the body, which oxygenates the tissues and lowers cortisol levels.
Poor posture is another common cause of neck muscle tension. Acupuncture can restore balance to the body, helping the person maintain good posture.
What Happens During An Initial Consultation?
During the initial consultation session, your acupuncturist will ask you several questions about your health history. They may ask you to describe your symptoms. Your acupuncturist may perform a physical examination to evaluate neck mobility.
The purpose of the initial consultation session is to help the acupuncturist better understand the factors that cause neck muscle tension and the nature of pain resulting from tension. Your acupuncturist will create a treatment plan tailored to your needs based on the results of their analysis.
Root & Stem is a leading acupuncture clinic serving Oakland. We use acupuncture to help clients treat different types of pain including neck tension. Contact us today to make an appointment, or visit our online scheduling tool based on your location.
