If you’ve read any of my blogs, you probably know the answer I’m going to give, so say it with me: It Depends! And what does it depend on? Mostly it depends on the cause of the neck pain along with your definition of “cure”. If by cure, you mean gone, never to return, yes acupuncture can do that in most instances, but the cause will determine the length of treatment and how much maintenance acupuncture you may or may not need.
Neck Injury & Acupuncture
Acute injuries respond very well and very quickly to treatment. Of course, the severity of the injury is also a determining factor. A neck strain, sprain or sport injury can be resolved in rather short order. Severe trauma, be it from sports, car accident or a fall can take much longer and may not ever be cured if your definition is back to 100%. That does not mean that acupuncture is not worth the time or money in these instances. We can give patients improved range of motion and more complete healing then they would otherwise achieve without treatment. These cases also typically require maintenance treatments.
Neck Pain from Stress
I would say about 90% of my patients have some type of neck pain or discomfort, even if it is not their chief complaint. Most of these cases are stress related. The body tends to store tension in this area, and this is really a good thing since it is better than storing tension in your organs. After all, this can result in issues ranging from stomach problems to heart disease. These cases typically need longer courses of treatment and more maintenance treatments than acute injuries. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, I tend to see patients when the problem becomes unbearable and impacts their everyday lives. Most people can ignore occasional neck discomfort or self-medicate with pain relievers for years before they get to the breaking point. The longer the problem has been there, the longer treatment will take. Secondly, most people are unwilling or unable to make the changes in their lives that caused the problem in the first place. These are tough changes, lifestyle changes. Diet, exercise, stress reduction techniques, these are the things that can reduce or eliminate stress induced neck pain by themselves! When coupled with acupuncture, even modest changes can have a big impact.
At Princeton Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, we offer individualized lifestyle modification advice that can get you back to normal fast and keep you neck (along with the rest of your body) in peak condition. Call today for a 30-minute consultation!
Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!