Neck Pain is easily one of the top 3 most commonly seen issues in my clinic. It can have a variety of causes ranging from muscle strains or trigger points to issues with vertebral discs or spinal nerve roots. As such, it can occur by itself as acute or chronic pain, or in conjunction with headaches, reduced mobility, tingling and numbness in the arms, difficulty sleeping, etc. The most common treatment is drugs, but these come with risks and side effects and, critically, they don’t address the underlying cause of the pain.

But there is a better way!

Acupuncture has been safely used for thousands of years to address all types of aches and pains including neck pain. It can be used to address multiple different causes of neck pain.

Treatment Options:

• Acupuncture PLUS Cupping/Gua Sha: I find muscular issues in the neck generally respond best to a combination of acupuncture and either cupping or Gua Sha. Acupuncture gently releases tight muscles while cupping lifts and creates space for body fluids to hydrate and mobilize the fascia. Gua Sha is another alternative for fascial release. Recently I’ve started using special self-heated Gua Sha tools which are both more effective and feel wonderful too!
• Acupuncture PLUS Laser Therapy: in cases involving the spine, arthritis, discs, nerve entrapment (tingling or numbness), acupuncture with laser almost always yields the best results. Acupuncture eases the pain and activates your body’s innate healing pathways. The Laser stimulates nerve signaling and supplies energy to injured cells, thereby dramatically accelerating repair. In some cases, we may use mild electrical stimulation on select needles to stimulate nerve conduction.
• Laser Therapy PLUS Cupping/Gua Sha: This is an excellent option for people who are needle averse. Cold Laser Therapy softens muscle tissue, accelerates healing, and stimulates nerve conduction. Cupping helps release tight muscles and hydrates and mobilizes fascia. Gua Sha, especially my newly acquired self-heating tools, is a muscle scraping technique that can be very effective at releasing tight muscles as well.
• Acupuncture (only): This traditional modality can work wonders by itself. It is a great option for traditionalists or those who respond best to simpler, gentler treatments. For stubborn or severe cases, it may be a less potent treatment option than Acupuncture PLUS treatments.

Where to start?

Book an Initial Consultation. During this appointment we will assess your neck pain, and based on your specific issues and individual preferences, we will create an individualized treatment plan that incorporates what will most likely be the best mix of treatment modalities for you. Based on how you respond to these treatments, we may make modifications in future sessions to further hone in on what works best for you.