Pain in the Neck? Fast Relief with Acupuncture in Chandler

Who doesn’t have neck and shoulder pain with resounding tightness these days? The fact is, neck and upper shoulder pain is a major public health problem and only continuing to grow. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has noted that the prevalence of nonspecific neck, shoulder or arm pain has increased dramatically over the last several decades, making this one of the most common origins of musculoskeletal complaints in the general population.

Common Causes of Neck and Shoulder Pain

In my practice, the most common cases of neck and shoulder pain are caused by poor posture. Think of how much we all stare are computer or phone screens each day! Trauma from car accidents or other injuries is another common culprit, causing soft tissue damage. And the third common cause, and one that is not typically acknowledged, is STRESS. Stress is a co-factor in almost all neck and shoulder pains. Even if your neck and shoulder pain is not originally caused by stress, it’s exacerbated by stress, whether you realize it or not. Why? Because tense muscles cause contracture of tissue and bones, altering alignments and starving the tissue of blood and nutrients to keep it healthy and supple. Additional causes of neck and shoulder pain include abnormalities in the bone or joints; trauma; degenerative diseases; tumors; and muscle strain.

Acupuncture in Chandler for Neck Pain Relief

One of the fastest and most effective treatments for shoulder and neck pain is acupuncture. Along with yoga and other complementary therapies, acupuncture has been proven to be an effective, non-drug approach to managing pain. Acupuncture works so well because it simultan

eously treats multiple aspects of neck and shoulder pain. It reduces pain and inflammation of joints and tissues, relaxes and releases tight muscles, extends mobility and increases circulation of blood and nutrients to repair damaged soft tissue and tendons. And because I treat the stress aspect also, I use acupuncture and herbs to increase serotonin, endorphins and dopamine production in the body and brain. This enables the person to de-stress in the moment, and over time, be able to manage stress in a healthier way going forward. I also suggest exercises to improve posture and identify bad habits that contribute not only to neck pain, but to stress, as well. This holistic approach targets all contributing factors to chronic neck and shoulder pain so patients can stay feeling better.

Acupuncture in Chandler is certainly not the only solution to neck and shoulder pain, but it is one that should be part of every neck and shoulder treatment plan. Whether you’re getting chiropractic care, steroid shots, prolotherapy, or any other healthcare treatment, no one therapy is treating all aspects of the problem and rarely is anyone treating the stress factor. How many times have you had a treatment to feel better, and you do for a day or two until your life gets stressful and the pains returns? Instead of a quick fix, tackle the root of the pain. Schedule an appointment to take care of the whole problem at WholeSelf!