Chronic Neck Pain: New Findings
New study finds acupuncture effective for the treatment of neck spondylosis, a type of chronic neck pain caused by degenerative arthritis. This condition often causes pain in the neck and upper back, as well as numbness and weakness radiating down the arms.
The researchers compared two approaches to treatment for chronic neck pain with acupuncture. Both treated the neck locally with acupuncture points. Group 1, however, also added points to strengthen Kidney and Heart function, two organs whose function declines with age and are associated in Chinese medicine with good health. Interestingly, both groups saw a lessening of neck pain, but Group 1 saw greater improvement with patients 45 years old and older.
This suggests that adding points to strengthen organ function helps local pain areas improve better in older patients. We apply this concept in our own practice at Raleigh Acupuncture. It’s nice to see it supported by scientific research.
Study Details
Group 1 in the chronic neck pain study consisted of 55 subjects who received acupuncture at acupoints Bailao (on the neck), Ht7 (a Heart nourishing point on the wrist), and SI4 (a neck pain point on the wrist). They also received acupuncture at GV14 (on the neck), and BL15 and BL23 on the back. BL15 nourishes the Heart, and BL23 nourishes the Kidneys.
Group 2 in the chronic neck pain study consisted of 56 subjects who received acupuncture at acupoints Bailao (on the neck), TW3 (on the side of the hand), and SI15 (on the neck). They did not receive points to nourish the Heart and Kidney.
Both groups in the study improved significantly in a before and after treatment comparison. When the groups were analyzed for statistical differences between age groups, Group 1 showed significantly better results for subjects over 45 years of age. The researchers concluded that the Group 1 treatment program demonstrated clinically superior benefits for patients 45 years or older with chronic cervical spondylosis.
Conclusions
One of the greatest benefits of acupuncture is it’s holistic approach. When you come in for the treatment of pain, we treat at the pain site, but also nourish organs that will help in the healing process. This is a powerful tool in the battle for staying healthy, especially as we get older.
Next Steps
If you have chronic neck pain come in for acupuncture. Our holistic approach to pain treatment will get you better faster and more completely.
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Resource: Chronic neck pain of cervical spondylosis treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in terms of the heart and kidney theory: a randomized controlled trial. [Article in Chinese]
What our Clients are Saying
I’m a dentist and over the last 20 years the nature of my work and positions required by my work had resulted in chronic neck pain. It affected my sleep, limited my ability to exercise, and was just a real pain in the neck! A friend at church recommended Raleigh Acupuncture and I gave it a try. I have to say that I was a bit skeptical, but gave it a try because I had tried a number other therapies with no success. I’m glad I did. They resolved my neck pain completely!
Very professional and really clear on what needed to be addressed. I made great progress. My neck pain was resolved in three treatments! Wonderful to find them.
Raleigh Acupuncture resolved my neck pain in six treatments! It was so bad I was taking prescription pain medications three times a day for a month. When that started upsetting my stomach I knew I had to find another solution. I thought I was afraid of needles, but after one treatment I saw how relaxing it was. I fell asleep during most of the treatments!
