Acupuncture and Natural Therapies for Neck Pain 
By Luca Fioretti PhD
0208 123 7637
Chiswick Acupuncture
36 Devonshire Road
London W4 2HD
Tel: 0208 123 7637
The acupuncture clinic serving Chiswick, Hammersmith, Ealing, Brentford and Acton areas

Neck pain is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits. It is estimated that approximately one million people currently suffer with chronic neck pain. Acupuncture is one of the most widely used treatment options for neck pain, as it has a proven history of effectively treating this condition. Neck pain is one of the most common problems I see in the clinic and I have treated hundreds of patients since 2003.

In Acupuncture theory, pain is said to be caused by the stagnation of either Qi (energy or life force) or blood in the body. When energy gets stuck, pain results. Pain that is due to Qi stagnation tends to be rather mild or achy in nature, whereas pain due to blood stagnation is more severe, sharp, fixed, or stabbing. Acupuncture is often effective in either case, as it has the unique ability to regulate the circulation of Qi and restore blood flow through painful areas. 

Acupuncture works by regulating the flow of Qi in meridians, which can be seen as networks that distribute Qi through the body. The meridians correspond to the major organs of the body. The Bladder meridian runs along the nape of the neck and is, therefore, primarily implicated in the treatment of neck pain. The energetic of the bladder meridian relate to fear, anxiety, ambition, will power, and urgency. Therefore, many people with neck pain also have deeper layers of fear that need to be released, either from whiplash as occurs in a car accident, or in relating to the daily life circumstances of work, money, and survival. The Qi tends to get stuck around the point Bladder 10 at the nape of the neck, which is a central point for clearing fear and anxiety. 

Acupuncture should be a relaxing, gentle treatment approach, even if the painful area is being stimulated. There are occasions where the neck won’t be touched at all, as the treatment will be more effective by stimulating distal points that correspond to the imbalanced meridian. 

While acupuncture is an excellent treatment option for all kinds of neck pain, Chinese herbs are used frequently as well. In the clinic we use a mix of massage techniques to release the muscle coupled with acupuncture, we have a high success rate in getting rid of the pain within a few sessions.

Stretching exercises can be prescribed to ease the tension in the area and allow blood circulation. Nowadays people stay in front of videos for many hours during the week due to work and leisure (videogames or watching TV), bad posture and compression on the cervical vertebrae are a cause of neck pain. It is important to correct the posture to relieve the pain and reduce inflammation and tightness with acupuncture and herbal treatment. 

Meditation, Qigong and deep breathing exercises can also be helpful, as most people with chronic neck and upper back pain tend to breathe quite superficially. Training yourself to breathe more deeply oxygenates the muscle tissue and provides an internal massage for the deepest layers of your musculature. 

Most of my patients with chronic neck pain commit to acupuncture once a week for 5-7 visits, at which time we reassess for progress. Most patients find that they feel much better after each treatment, not only in relation to the neck pain, but in their overall sense of health and well being.

Call Chiswick Acupuncture today at 0208 123 7637 to set up your first appointment today!