Often a strain in the neck is nothing more serious than that: a pain in the neck. The muscular strain can result from bad posture or a poor night's sleep. In other cases, conditions such as arthritis may be to blame. If your neck strain continues, or if it's accompanied by shooting, sharp pain down your arm or numbness in your arms and hands, contact your doctor immediately.
Acupuncture Basics
While western medicine generally interprets muscle strain as a localized condition of muscle tissue, acupuncture treats the condition based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The basis of the healing tradition is energetic -- healers seek to restore a free flow of vital energy, called "qi," and to balance conditions of dampness and dryness, vacuity and fullness, cold and heat. An acupuncturist works with various organ systems by using needles to trigger points along the organ-specific energy pathways, or meridians. By selecting the right points, an acupuncturist can restore balance to the entire body and the manifestations of illness subside.
Acupuncture for Neck Strain
According to the Clinical Manual of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, causes for neck pain may include poor sleeping position as well as exposure to wind and cold elements. An acupuncturist can treat the condition by restoring blood flow around the area and warming the affected meridians. Local points may be of use, as well as distal points, such as Gall-bladder 39 and Small Intestine 3. If you experience an aversion to cold temperatures, additional points may include Large Intestine 4 and Triple Burner 5.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief
Besides its specific applications for muscle strains, acupuncture is regularly used for pain relief. According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, pain treatments account for seven of the top 10 applications of acupuncture in the United States, with neck pain the third most common reason for treatment. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a 2009 review of acupuncture research in the "British Medical Journal" found that true acupuncture provided significant pain relief. However, "sham" acupuncture also provided greater pain relief than no treatment at all; this latter treatment imitates the process of acupuncture without fully inserting any needles to identify any placebo effects.
General Considerations
Before seeking acupuncture treatment, consult with your primary care provider about possible causes for your neck strain. If you decide to seek acupuncture treatment, find a qualified practitioner through a professional organization. Most states require that acupuncturists hold a license. The FDA does not otherwise govern acupuncture, except to regulate the production and distribution of acupuncture needles.
References
- "MayoClinic.com"; Neck Pain; February 2010
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture: An Introduction
- "Clinical Manual of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture;" Zhong Ying Zhou, et al.; 1997
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture for Pain
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