Neck pain can be anything from nagging to debilitating. Conventional treatments usually entail injections, surgeries, or physical therapy. But all of these come with risks and expenses.
Acupuncture is shown in numerous research studies to be effective for neck pain, and typically takes between 6 to 10 sessions when receiving treatments 2 to 5 times a week. This is a relatively affordable and safe option without the risks and recovery time associated with surgery.
“Unfortunately, surgery and other invasive treatments are not recommended for people with neck pain who do not have a serious structural diagnosis. Additionally, many invasive treatments are focused on fixing the structure of the neck. This does not always bring pain relief for many people. Most of these treatment options come with side effects that many people prefer to avoid. Unfortunately, many people report still having pain after surgery.” [source]
Acupuncture works for neck pain by provoking the body’s natural pain relievers in the brain. Acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, and therapeutic heat also increases local blood flow and reduces inflammation in the area treated.