Having face and neck pain is a pain. Whether acute or chronic, whether its cause relates to something you did or is due to factors out of your control, living with this type of pain is difficult. To make matters worse, available pain medications frequently have a list of side effects and cautions longer than the description of the benefits. If all this leaves you searching for alternatives, one to consider is acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing method now used around the world to relieve pain and treat a number of health problems.
Identification
Face and neck pain can result from injury or trauma, pinched or damaged nerves, problems with your spine and personal habits. A major cause of facial pain is trigeminal neuralgia, also called TMJ. MayfieldClinic.com reports this condition affects one in every 25,000 people and its effects can be debilitating. TMJ is the result of irritation or damage to the fifth cranial nerve, also called the trigeminal nerve. It causes face twitching and pain that sometimes feels like an electric shock. Attacks can occur out of nowhere or by touching trigger zones on the face that usually include your nose, lips, eyes, ears or inside your mouth.
Chronic neck pain, or pain that lasts longer than three months, can result from personal habits such as poor posture, from conditions such as arthritis and from irritated or damaged nerves due to a herniated or bulging disc. Neck pain often spreads to other areas of your body such as your shoulders, arms and hands.
Theory
Acupuncture works according to theories based energy flow and balance. Energy, or qi, travels through your body along pathways called meridians or channels. Fourteen main meridians run vertically through your body, and although they do not always follow the exact pathways of nerves and blood flow, they do represent major body organs and functions. An unbalanced, insufficient or disrupted energy flow causes illness or pain and requires stimulation to correct the imbalance and restore good health and eliminate pain.
Process
Acupuncture involves placing needles at different points along one or more meridians and then manipulating them to stimulate the flow of energy and restore balance. When the problem is face pain, the acupuncturist places needles along the jaw, cheekbone and eye socket bones. For neck pain, locations include the top of the head and at shoulder level, just below the seventh cervical vertebrae. Following needle placement, your acupuncturist can manipulate needles manually or by electric vibration. Manual manipulation techniques include raising and thrusting, twirling or rotation or plucking. Electric manipulation consists of scraping, or sending vibrations through the needle and trembling.
Time Frame
A typical, individual appointment can last from 30 minutes to one hour. The length of treatment, however, depends on the severity of your condition. Dr. Alan Magner, physician and certified acupuncturist, states the number of treatments you require can reach 15 to 20, spread over a period of several months.
Considerations
Despite the fact that acupuncture works and is relatively free from side effects, except for an exaggerated feeling of relaxation or fatigue, there are points you should consider before scheduling an appointment. According to CostHelper.com, the average cost per visit can run from $50 to $80, and not all insurance companies provide coverage for acupuncture therapy. Even more important, face and neck pain can indicate a serious condition that requires medical attention. Be certain as to the origin of your face and neck pain before undergoing acupuncture.
