A 42-year-old woman came to our clinic complaining of severe neck pain. She had chronically tight neck muscles that went into spasm every 4 to 6 weeks. She was currently in a flare. This neck pain acupuncture case study describes how we resolved her acute neck pain and her chronic neck pain as well, ending the cycle of pain that had been going on for over ten years.
Neck Pain – An American Epidemic
Thirty percent of Americans struggle with acute neck pain each year, and nearly fifty-percent have some form of chronic neck pain. It is one of the most common chronic pain conditions, comparable to low back pain. Neck pain is also one of the most frequent causes of sick days, resulting in billions of dollars of lost wages each year. Neck pain is aggravated by stress, forming a double challenge in today’s fast-paced world.
Neck Pain Acupuncture Case Study
At her first appointment, we asked our patient several questions about her neck pain, including where it hurt. We asked her to describe the difference between her acute and chronic pain. She said the acute pain felt like a sharp, stabbing pain, while the chronic, everyday pain was more dull and achy. The current pain was a 10 out of 10 pain, and the chronic pain was more like 5 out of 10.
On palpation, we found that the muscles at the base of her neck (corresponding with the acupuncture point Bailao) were all knotted up. These knots lined up level with her C7 vertebrae. This pain continued down between her shoulder blades and upward to the base of her skull. Also, our patient had frequent migraines starting from the base of her neck, working up to her temples.
Acupuncture Treatment for Neck Pain
Our patient in this neck pain acupuncture case study received her treatments lying face down, with her head resting in a padded face cradle. The practitioner carefully inserted sterile, single-use, hair-thin needles at specific acupoints. These points included BL10, GB20, Bailao, Huato T1, GB21, and Si13. The needles released muscles that were in spasm, and opened blocked channels, resulting in a dramatic easing of pain.
We explained to our patient that she would feel less and less pain with each treatment. As treatments progressed, her muscles would stay relaxed longer and longer, until she was pain-free for good. She asked how many treatments it would take to get better. We told her to come in once a week for four weeks, at which time we would evaluate her progress.
Sure enough, after her fourth treatment, her neck pain was 60 percent resolved. In addition, she was getting less frequent headaches. Since she was responding well, we continued weekly sessions for another three treatments, at which time her neck pain was 90 percent better. She continued treatment once every two weeks for another three sessions, after which time she was pain-free! She also had not had a single headache in the past three weeks.
Next Steps
This neck pain acupuncture case study describes how we were able to resolve our patient’s acute and chronic neck pain at the same time. We did this by releasing chronically tight muscles and reopening blocked channels that passed through her upper back and neck. Treating the neck also led to a dramatic reduction in headaches. She continued maintenance acupuncture treatments once a month, which kept her pain-free.
If you have neck pain, try acupuncture. These safe, natural treatments will restore health to your neck and alleviate acute and chronic neck pain.
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The results described in this neck pain acupuncture case study are typical for what we see in our clinic at Raleigh Acupuncture. Neck pain responds well to acupuncture. We have great success in treating acute neck pain, wry neck, whiplash, and chronic neck pain. Treatments are safe, natural, and provide long-term relief.
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!
