Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Chronic Neck Pain

Overview of Chronic Neck Pain:

Any of the acute neck pain syndromes can become chronic, either in the sense of persisting for a long time (months or years), or in the sense of there being a regular progression of acute episodes.

With chronic neck pain, the presentation is likely to be more complicated. The stagnation is likely to be found in several areas. Thorough examination is necessary for all cases. Rather than deal with each type of neck disorder a series of treatment suggestions are listed that can be used as modifications or additions to the treatment of the acute version.

Treatment:

The stagnation may require persistent and sometimes strong dispersal both locally and through regulating the channel circulation through distal points.

Myofascial contributions: Myofascial triggers are rarely the sole cause of chronic neck pain. However they can be an important source of pain and should be treated. The most likley candidates are: levator scapulae, upper fibres of trapezius, splenius cervicus and capitis, sub occipitals.

Treatment of the upper thoracics (DU13, UB12, UB13 and appropriate huato jiaji points) is usually necessary.

Ah shi points used to affect joints (esp Bailao) should be needled deeply and precisely directed to reach the stagnation close to the joint.

Distal points that are often effective in treating chronic neck pain are: Taichong (LIV3), Xuanzhong (GB39), Houxi (SI3) - can be coupled with Shenmai (UB62).

As for all chronic disorder you should look for and treat underlying disorder that is a contributing factor. The main ones are:

Liver Qi Stagnation: Leads to excessive tension in the neck muscles. Often an emotional cause. Predisposed towards myofascial triggers and puts excessive strain on cervical joints. Taichong (LIV3), Yangligquan (GB34), Xiao Yao Wan (Herbal formula).

Blood Deficiency: (Blood Xu) - Chronic blood deficiency can lead to a hyperirritability of the neck and upper back. These patients are aggravated by deep tissue massage and manipulation. They are prone to headaches and usually feel fatigued. They are usually women. Herbs, eg: Ba Zhen Wan, are the most effective treatment for this condition.

References

This information has been used with permission from Close to the Bone by David Legge.

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