5 Common Types Of Alternative Medicine For Neck Pain

People experience neck pain for a number of different reasons. Chronic medical conditions or neck injury may be the cause. Others may have pinched a nerve or slept wrong and woken up with a stiff and painful neck.

No matter what may have caused it, dealing with neck pain can be very difficult.

It usually isn’t a problem that can be solved with a quick trip to the doctor’s office and an overnight treatment.

Most often the only thing that can fix acute neck pain is time, but there are some alternative medical treatments that have been known to alleviate pain and shorten recovery time.

More people are turning to these treatments all the time, and your doctor can discuss some of their benefits and help you decide if they are right for you.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into the skin in various parts of the body known as acupuncture points.

The practice is perfectly safe when performed by a professional, and it has been known to help with many types of pain. Studies of the effects of acupuncture on neck pain have been mixed, however.

Patients may have to undergo several sessions before they notice positive results. Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a certified practitioner using sterile needles.

Chiropractic

A chiropractor can adjust your spine and help with back pain, so it stands to reason that many patients are visiting chiropractors for neck pain.

Based on anecdotal evidence the practice does work, especially in conjunction with regular exercise, but there is little clinical evidence to support chiropractic as a viable treatment for neck pain.

Chiropractors are best suited for treating lower back pain through spinal adjustments.

Chiropractic is given mainly to the spine, a chiropractic adjustment applies a controlled, sudden force to a joint — moving it beyond its normal range of motion. Chiropractic treatments to the neck may slightly increase your risk of stroke.

Massage

Massage is another alternative medical practice that many say can help alleviate neck pain. Unlike chiropractic treatments, massage focuses on the muscles in the neck and not the spine.

Many who have had problems with neck pain say that massage provides them with relief, especially when it is combined with their doctors’ recommended treatments.

During a massage, a trained practitioner manipulates the muscles in your neck with his or her hands.

Little scientific evidence exists to support massage in people with neck pain, though it may provide relief when combined with your doctor’s recommended treatments.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, involves the use of electrodes placed on the most painful areas of a person’s neck to help relieve pain.

It is one of the most common forms of electroanalgesia, although some experts wonder if TENS really does relieve neck pain or if it just acts as a placebo.

Yoga

Yoga combines specific poses, gentle movements and controlled breathing to promote flexibility and help relax the body. It has been used as a form of meditation for centuries, and many medical experts claim that it can help relieve pain and stress.

The smooth movements and focus on flexibility help relieve muscle tension, one of the most common causes of neck pain.

These five alternative medical treatments and practices have become very popular with those suffering from acute and chronic neck pain, and many doctors have recommended them to their patients.

However, it’s important to note that most of the evidence that supports these treatments is anecdotal.

They really do seem to work for those who give them a chance and know what they are doing, but as with any medical procedure and treatment they won’t work for everybody.

Always consult your doctor before attempting any medical treatment, whether it is traditional or alternative.