Kink in your neck? Slept a little funny? Spending too much time on your computer and/or phone? I get it – we’ve all been there before. Neck pain is something I see often in my practice, but just because neck pain is common, doesn’t mean it is normal. There are many factors that lead to neck pain including posture, sleep position, muscle tension and arthritic changes. Neck pain in turn can lead to many bothersome symptoms such as frequent headaches, numbness and tingling in the arms and loss of range of motion. Over the years, both personally and professionally, I have found acupuncture to be very helpful in decreasing head and neck pain.
So what does acupuncture do exactly to help decrease headache & neck pain?
In the simplest terms, it can increase blood flow and decrease inflammation, help relax tight muscles and decrease pain & nerve pain signals. Acupuncture has been found to decrease intensity of neck pain and improve quality of life in individuals in as few as six treatments, however in practice I have seen some patients have temporarily relief after only one treatment! Another study found acupuncture to have a similar effect on pain and disability scores when compared to conventional medicine. Acupuncture also has been shown to have minimal side effects. Plus – it is very relaxing and stress relieving!
While each person I see in my practice gets a unique set of acupuncture points specific to them, here are some acupressure points that can help with headache and neck pain.
Large Intestine 4:
This point is found at the top of the triangle that is made between your thumb and index finger on each hand.
Gallbladder 20:
Find this point at the base of your skull approximately 1 finger width from the midline of your spine.
Yin Tang (3rd eye):
Have you heard of this acupressure point before? Rub the space in between your eye brows to help relief pain and stress alike.
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Through my unique processes of a full assessment, intentional testing options and individualized and manageable treatment plans, I've helped hundreds of men and women take the next step and make small changes for dramatic shifts in their health and wellness. If you would like to discuss which tests might be right for you, book a FREE discovery call here.
References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29121797
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28715459
3. Images from:https://www.healthline.com/health/pressure-points-for-headaches#5
Disclaimer: Any information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in place of professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care practitioner with any questions or health concerns you may have.
