For individuals dealing with chronic pain, can undergoing a nerve block procedure help alleviate and manage symptoms?
Nerve Blocks
A nerve block is a procedure done to interrupt/block pain signals due to nerve dysfunction or injury. They can be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes, and their effects can be short or long-term, depending on the type being used.
A temporary nerve block may involve the application or injection that stops pain signals from transmitting for a short time.
For example, in pregnancy, an epidural injection can be used during labor and delivery.
Permanent nerve blocks involve cutting/severing or removing certain parts of a nerve to stop pain signals.
These are used in cases with severe injuries or other chronic pain conditions that have not improved with other treatment approaches.
Treatment Usage
When healthcare providers diagnose a chronic pain condition caused by nerve injury or dysfunction, they may use a nerve block to locate the area generating pain signals. They may perform electromyography and/or a nerve conduction velocity/NCV test to pinpoint the cause of chronic nerve pain. Nerve blocks can also treat chronic neuropathic pain, such as pain caused by nerve damage or compression. Nerve blocks are regularly used to treat back and neck pain caused by herniated discs or spinal stenosis. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2024)
Types
Three types include:
Local
Neurolytic
Surgical
All three can be used for conditions that cause chronic pain. However, neurolytic and surgical blocks are permanent and are only used for severe pain that has worsened with other treatments unable to provide relief.
Temporary Blocks
A local block is done by injecting or applying local anesthetics, like lidocaine, to a certain area.
An epidural is a local nerve block that injects steroids or analgesics into an area around the spinal cord.
These are common during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
Epidurals can also be used to treat chronic neck or back pain due to a compressed spinal nerve.
Local blocks are usually temporary, but in a treatment plan, they can be repeated over time to manage chronic pain from conditions like arthritis, sciatica, and migraines. (NYU Langone Health. 2023)
Permanent Blocks
A neurolytic block uses alcohol, phenol, or thermal agents to treat chronic nerve pain. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2023) These procedures damage certain areas of the nerve pathway on purpose so that pain signals cannot be transmitted. A neurolytic block is mainly used for severe chronic pain cases, like pain from cancer or complex regional pain syndrome/CRPS. They are sometimes used to treat ongoing pain from chronic pancreatitis and pain in the chest wall after surgery. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2024) (Alberto M. Cappellari et al., 2018)
The neurosurgeon performs a surgical nerve block that involves surgically removing or damaging specific areas of the nerve. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2023) A surgical nerve block is only used for severe pain cases, such as cancer pain or trigeminal neuralgia.
Although neurolytic and surgical nerve blocks are permanent procedures, pain symptoms, and sensations can come back if the nerves are able to regrow and repair themselves. (Eun Ji Choi et al., 2016) However, symptoms and sensations may not return months or years after the procedure.
These procedures can have the potential risk of permanent nerve damage. (Anthem BlueCross. 2023) Nerves are sensitive and regenerate slowly, so a tiny error can cause side effects. (D O’Flaherty et al., 2018) Common side effects include:
Muscle paralysis
Weakness
Frequent numbness
In rare cases, the block could irritate the nerve and cause added pain.
Skilled and licensed health practitioners like surgeons, pain management physicians, anesthesiologists, and dentists are trained to perform these procedures carefully.
There is always a risk of nerve damage or injury, but the majority of nerve blocks safely and successfully decrease and help manage chronic pain. (Anthem BlueCross. 2023)
What to Expect
Individuals may feel numbness or soreness and/or notice redness or irritation near or around the area that is temporary.
There can also be swelling, which compresses the nerve and requires time to improve. (Stanford Medicine. 2024)
Individuals may be asked to rest for a certain amount of time after the procedure.
Depending on the type of procedure, individuals may have to spend a few days in a hospital.
Some pain may still be present, but that does not mean the procedure did not work.
Individuals should consult with a healthcare provider about the risks and benefits to ensure it is the right treatment.
Cappellari, A. M., Tiberio, F., Alicandro, G., Spagnoli, D., & Grimoldi, N. (2018). Intercostal Neurolysis for The Treatment of Postsurgical Thoracic Pain: a Case Series. Muscle & nerve, 58(5), 671–675. doi.org/10.1002/mus.26298
Choi, E. J., Choi, Y. M., Jang, E. J., Kim, J. Y., Kim, T. K., & Kim, K. H. (2016). Neural Ablation and Regeneration in Pain Practice. The Korean journal of pain, 29(1), 3–11. doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2016.29.1.3
O’Flaherty, D., McCartney, C. J. L., & Ng, S. C. (2018). Nerve injury after peripheral nerve blockade-current understanding and guidelines. BJA education, 18(12), 384–390. doi.org/10.1016/j.bjae.2018.09.004
Can individuals dealing with hip pain, find the relief they are looking for from spinal decompression to reduce their sciatica pain?
Introduction
When it comes to individuals doing everyday movements, the body can be in weird positions without pain or discomfort. Hence, people can stand or sit for prolonged periods and feel all right when doing strenuous activities. However, as the body ages, the surrounding muscles and ligaments can become weak and tight, while the spinal joints and discs start to be compressed and wear and tear. This is because many individuals make repetitive motions on their bodies that cause pain-like symptoms in the back, hips, neck, and body extremities, leading to referred pain in different body locations. When individuals are experiencing musculoskeletal pain in their bodies, it can cause overlapping risk profiles that can hinder the individual and cause them to be miserable. Additionally, when people experience musculoskeletal pain in their bodies, many will seek treatment to reduce the referred pain-like symptoms associated with the musculoskeletal pain. Today’s article will examine one type of musculoskeletal pain on the hips, how it can cause sciatica pain-like problems, and how treatments like decompression can reduce the pain-like effects of hip pain correlated with sciatica. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to provide numerous treatments to relieve hip pain associated with sciatica. We also inform and guide patients on how decompression can help reduce pain-like symptoms like sciatica and restore hip mobility. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricated and important questions about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing from hip pain. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Hip Pain Associated With Sciatica
Do you often experience stiffness in your lower back and hips after sitting down for an excessive period? How about feeling radiating pain running down from your lower back to your legs? Or do you think your hip and thigh muscles become tight and weak, which is affecting your gait stability? Many individuals experiencing these pain-like issues are experiencing hip pain, and it can be an issue when it is not treated over time. Since hip pain is a common and disabling condition that is challenging to diagnose, many individuals often express localized pain in one of the three anatomic regions: the anterior, posterior, and lateral hip sections. (Wilson & Furukawa, 2014) When individuals are dealing with hip pain, they will also experience referred pain in their lower backs, which causes them to be in distress and miserable. At the same time, simple ordinary movements like sitting or standing can affect the muscles and ligaments surrounding the hips and can be damaging. This can cause hip pain to be referred from the lumbar spine and spine problems, which then cause musculoskeletal issues in the lower extremities. (Lee et al., 2018)
So, how would hip pain be associated with sciatica and causing pain in many lower extremities? The hip areas in the musculoskeletal system have numerous muscles surrounding the pelvic bone area that can become tight and weak, causing referred musculoskeletal pain from intrapelvic and gynecologic issues. (Chamberlain, 2021) This means that musculoskeletal disorders like piriformis syndromes associated with hip pain can lead to sciatica. The sciatic nerve travels down from the lumbar region and the buttocks and behind the leg. When a person is dealing with sciatica and is going to their primary doctor to get treated for the pain, their doctors will do a physical examination to see what factors are causing the pain. Some of the common findings during a physical exam were tenderness and palpation of the greater sciatic notch and the reproduction of pain along the hips. (Son & Lee, 2022) This causes associated symptoms that correlate with sciatica and hip pain, including:
Tingling/numbing sensations
Muscle tenderness
Pain while sitting or standing
Discomfort
Is Motion The Key To Healing- Video
Spinal Decompression Reducing Hip Pain
However, many individuals will find non-surgical treatments to help reduce sciatica associated with hip pain. Non-surgical treatments are customized to a person’s pain and are cost-effective while being gentle on the spine. Spinal decompression can help reduce hip pain associated with sciatica. Decompression on the spine allows gentle traction to stretch out weak muscles along the lower back and hips while the spinal discs are experiencing negative pressure. When a person is dealing with sciatica pain associated with hip pain and trying decompression for the first time, they are provided with the relief they deserve. (Crisp et al., 1955)
Additionally, many individuals who incorporate decompression for their hip pain can begin to feel its effects as it helps improve blood flow circulation back to the hips to start the natural healing process. (Hua et al., 2019) When people begin incorporating decompression for their hip pain, they can relax as they feel all their aches and pain gradually disappear as mobility and rotation are back on the lower extremities.
References
Chamberlain, R. (2021). Hip Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis. American Family Physician, 103(2), 81-89. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33448767
Crisp, E. J., Cyriax, J. H., & Christie, B. G. (1955). Discussion on the treatment of backache by traction. Proc R Soc Med, 48(10), 805-814. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13266831
Hua, K. C., Yang, X. G., Feng, J. T., Wang, F., Yang, L., Zhang, H., & Hu, Y. C. (2019). The efficacy and safety of core decompression for the treatment of femoral head necrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Surg Res, 14(1), 306. doi.org/10.1186/s13018-019-1359-7
Lee, Y. J., Kim, S. H., Chung, S. W., Lee, Y. K., & Koo, K. H. (2018). Causes of Chronic Hip Pain Undiagnosed or Misdiagnosed by Primary Physicians in Young Adult Patients: a Retrospective Descriptive Study. J Korean Med Sci, 33(52), e339. doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e339
Son, B. C., & Lee, C. (2022). Piriformis Syndrome (Sciatic Nerve Entrapment) Associated With Type C Sciatic Nerve Variation: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review. Korean J Neurotrauma, 18(2), 434-443. doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2022.18.e29
Wilson, J. J., & Furukawa, M. (2014). Evaluation of the patient with hip pain. American Family Physician, 89(1), 27-34. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24444505
For individuals experiencing frequent bloating or constipation, could performing a colon cleanse help alleviate your symptoms?
Colon Cleanse
Individuals can clean out their bowels, colon, or large intestine by drinking more water and adding certain foods to their diet, like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Some may find that the practice helps decrease bloating or other digestive issues. While a colon cleanse is safe for most, the practice can cause side effects, like nausea or dehydration.
Benefits
Natural colon cleanses can provide various benefits that include:
Reducing bloating.
Improving the immune system.
Removing toxins from the body.
Helping with weight loss.
Decreasing the risk of colon cancer.
While individuals may feel better after a natural colon cleanse, there is currently no research to support the medical benefits. (Cedars Sinai. 2019)
Another type is known as hydrotherapy of the colon or irrigation.
A healthcare provider performs this type of cleansing and sends water into the colon with instrumentation.
This type of cleanse is not used to prepare individuals for a colonoscopy.
Cleansing
Cleansing the body safely can be done with ingredients from the local grocery store.
Thorough Hydration
Water will improve body function, including digestion and elimination.
Use the color of urine as a guide.
If it’s pale yellow, the body is getting enough water.
If it’s darker, the body needs more.
Increasing Fiber Consumption
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest but influences:
Fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, oats, lentils, peas, and almonds.
Increasing fiber intake will help regulate the bowels and maintain overall colon health. (Cornell University. 2012)
Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that have health and digestion benefits.
Researchers believe they help to replace healthy bacteria and balance the healthy and unhealthy bacteria in the body, which maintains smooth digestion. (Mount Sinai. 2024)
Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles are healthy sources of probiotics.
They also come as supplements.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
Both ingredients contain probiotics, and mixing them can help improve gut health.
Individuals also believe that this concoction can help remove toxins from the body, but there’s no scientific evidence to support this.
Individuals can try 1 tablespoon of raw honey and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a warm glass of water.
Juice and Smoothies
Adding more fruits, including juice and smoothies, is a healthy way to stay hydrated.
It also adds fiber and other nutrients to improve gut health.
Bananas and apples are a healthy source of probiotics.
Individuals can also add yogurt to the smoothies for extra probiotics.
These elements can help improve the gut microbiome and regulate bowel movements.
Precautions
Doing a colon cleanse should be safe for most, as long as the individual is not fasting at the same time or performing them too frequently. However, it’s recommended to consult a healthcare provider before changing eating patterns or trying new treatments or supplements, including a colon cleanse, especially for individuals who have an underlying condition.
Side Effects
Colon cleansing can come with risks that can include: (Cedars Sinai. 2019)
Dehydration
Cramping
Nausea
Electrolyte imbalance
Doing occasional colon cleanses may not result in side effects, but the chances of side effects increase the longer or more often cleanses are performed. It’s recommended to consult a healthcare provider if experiencing any symptoms.
Improving Colon Health
The best way to improve colon health is by drinking enough water and eating foods that promote a healthy digestive system. Healthy approaches include:
Increasing fruit and vegetable intake.
Increasing whole grain intake provides fiber and more nutrients.
Eating ground flaxseed improves digestion and elimination.
For individuals dealing with fibromyalgia, can incorporating acupuncture as part of integrative treatment help with pain relief?
Introduction
The musculoskeletal system helps the various muscles, tendons, and ligaments be mobile while stabilizing the vertical pressure. The upper and lower extremities work together, enabling the host to be mobile without feeling pain and discomfort. However, many individuals have dealt with pain, whether it is acute or chronic, at one point in their lives. When the body is dealing with pain, the response signal from the brain will show where the pain is located, which causes muscle soreness. To that point, the immune system will start to heal the affected area naturally. However, when a person has an autoimmune disease, the body will be impacted for no reason, which then causes the immune system to release inflammatory cytokines to healthy cells and muscular structures. When this happens, it can affect their quality of life and cause painful sensations to the musculoskeletal system, forcing individuals to seek treatment. Today’s article focuses on the correlation between the musculoskeletal system and fibromyalgia and how treatments like acupuncture can help reduce the pain-like symptoms that are caused by fibromyalgia. We talk with certified medical providers who utilize our patients’ information to provide acupuncture treatments to lessen the overlapping risk profiles associated with fibromyalgia. We also inform and guide patients on how various treatments can help reduce the pain-like symptoms related to fibromyalgia. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricated and important questions about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing from fibromyalgia. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Musculoskeletal System & Fibromyalgia
Have you been experiencing tingling sensations in your arms, legs, feet, and hands? Do you feel your muscles and joints lock up and feel stiff constantly in the morning? Or have you been dealing with unquestionable pain in your body that is affecting your daily routine? Many of these pain-like symptoms are associated with an autoimmune disease known as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is often characterized by widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain that is associated with neurosensory disorders. People with fibromyalgia will have musculoskeletal pain symptoms from muscle and joint stiffness to fatigue and myofascial pain. (Siracusa et al., 2021) This is because the vagus nerve in the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system is in constant “fight or flight” mode, which causes many individuals to become hypersensitive and experience amplified painful sensations. This forces the muscle fibers in the musculoskeletal system to develop tiny nodules known as trigger points in the soft tissues. This causes muscle pathophysiology as a primary mechanism that mediates the onset of symptoms that pertain to fibromyalgia. (Geel, 1994) Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is a challenge to diagnose when comorbidities factors start to overlap and can play a role in this autoimmune disease.
Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune condition that increases a person’s sensitivity to pain while including multiple tender points at specific areas of the body, causing widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain. Many individuals dealing with chronic musculoskeletal pain are unaware of the proper pathway to care as it generates a negative impact on pain, disability, and quality of life. (Lepri et al., 2023) Since fibromyalgia is associated with musculoskeletal pain, it can be combined with myofascial pain syndrome since both are characterized by muscle tenderness. (Gerwin, 1998) However, there are numerous treatments available to reduce the painful effects of fibromyalgia and help restore a person’s quality of life.
From Inflammation to Healing- Video
Do you feel muscle pain and tenderness in various areas of your body? Do you feel muscle and joint stiffness in your upper and lower extremities? Or do you feel numbing or tingling sensations in your arms, hands, legs, and feet? Many people dealing with these pain-like issues are experiencing an autoimmune disorder known as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a challenging autoimmune disorder to diagnose. However, the symptoms are often correlated with muscular pain. This can cause many individuals to reduce their quality of life. Fibromyalgia can cause the body to be hypersensitive to pain and can cause chronic inflammation of the joints. However, some treatments are non-surgical, cost-effective, and can help provide the pain relief many people deserve. The video above explains how various non-surgical treatments can help reduce inflammatory and pain effects on the body through various treatments that can be combined to minimize the pain-like symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Acupuncture Reducing Fibromyalgia Pain
When it comes to treating fibromyalgia and reducing pain-like symptoms, many people will seek out non-surgical treatments to manage and improve the symptoms correlating with fibromyalgia. Acupuncture can help ease the pain-like symptoms that are affecting the body and reduce the myofascial trigger points correlating with fibromyalgia. Since acupuncture originated in China, it is one of the most popular sensory stimulation therapies that are non-surgical; acupuncturists who are highly trained use various techniques to insert and manipulate fine needles to stimulate specific anatomic trigger points in the body to restore balance to the body. (Zhang & Wang, 2020) For individuals dealing with fibromyalgia pain, acupuncture can be combined with other therapies as part of the individual’s personalized treatment plan. Acupuncture helps improve muscle pain caused by fibromyalgia.
Additionally, acupuncture can assist in regulating the somatosensory function of the body and reduce symptoms of muscle stiffness while enhancing a person’s quality of life. (Zheng & Zhou, 2022) Fibromyalgia is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect the musculoskeletal system and can cause unbearable pain to many people by disrupting a person’s quality of life. When combined with other therapies, acupuncture can provide a significant positive effect on managing fibromyalgia and enhancing a person’s quality of life. (Almutairi et al., 2022)
References
Almutairi, N. M., Hilal, F. M., Bashawyah, A., Dammas, F. A., Yamak Altinpulluk, E., Hou, J. D., Lin, J. A., Varrassi, G., Chang, K. V., & Allam, A. E. (2022). Efficacy of Acupuncture, Intravenous Lidocaine, and Diet in the Management of Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Healthcare (Basel), 10(7). doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071176
Geel, S. E. (1994). The fibromyalgia syndrome: musculoskeletal pathophysiology. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 23(5), 347-353. doi.org/10.1016/0049-0172(94)90030-2
Gerwin, R. D. (1998). Myofascial pain and fibromyalgia: Diagnosis and treatment. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 11(3), 175-181. doi.org/10.3233/BMR-1998-11304
Lepri, B., Romani, D., Storari, L., & Barbari, V. (2023). Effectiveness of Pain Neuroscience Education in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 20(5). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054098
Siracusa, R., Paola, R. D., Cuzzocrea, S., & Impellizzeri, D. (2021). Fibromyalgia: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options Update. Int J Mol Sci, 22(8). doi.org/10.3390/ijms22083891
Zhang, Y., & Wang, C. (2020). Acupuncture and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Curr Rheumatol Rep, 22(11), 80. doi.org/10.1007/s11926-020-00954-z
Zheng, C., & Zhou, T. (2022). Effect of Acupuncture on Pain, Fatigue, Sleep, Physical Function, Stiffness, Well-Being, and Safety in Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pain Res, 15, 315-329. doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S351320
For individuals dealing with plantar fasciitis, every step can be painful. Can taking an integrative approach and utilizing acupuncture help treat this condition and accelerate symptom relief?
Acupuncture Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is when the supportive tissue running under the foot, from the heel to the base of the toes, becomes irritated and painful. The disorder can be difficult to manage, but there are alternative treatment options. Acupuncture plantar fasciitis therapy is one potential method of relief, alleviating pain, and returning the individual to regular activities. Acupuncture involves inserting extremely thin needles into points in the body to restore and balance the normal flow of energy and improve overall health. (Johns Hopkins University. 2024) In traditional Chinese medicine or TCM, the body comprises a series of meridians/channels that supply energy flow or qi/chi.
Facts
Plantar fasciitis is a common disorder affecting the foot. The condition occurs when the plantar fascia, designed to absorb the forces that travel through the arch of the foot, becomes overloaded. When the bottom of the foot is constantly subjected to high amounts of strain, it leads to ligament degeneration, pain, and inflammation. The most common symptom is heel pain, the first thing an individual experiences in the morning or after a long day of work and activities. Anyone can get plantar fasciitis, but those who are more prone to the condition include individuals with:
Acupuncture and its effectiveness are still being studied, but there is evidence suggesting that it is beneficial in plantar fasciitis treatment.
One review found significant pain improvements in individuals who had acupuncture for the condition compared to individuals who received standard treatments like stretching, orthotics, and strengthening. (Anandan Gerard Thiagarajah 2017) The same review also found benefits when comparing acupuncture to a placebo version of the treatment, further reinforcing the findings.
Another medical review found that acupuncture helped alleviate heel pain and improve daily function when combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications/NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen. (Richard James Clark, Maria Tighe 2012)
Side Effects
While acupuncture plantar fasciitis therapy is beneficial, it is important to remember there can be potential side effects that can include:
Pain in the area where the needles were placed.
Bleeding in the area where the needles were placed.
Bruising or skin discoloration.
Allergic reaction or contact dermatitis/itchy rash.
The chances of a serious adverse side effect are relatively low when undergoing acupuncture on the foot.
Acupuncture Points and Sensations
The ways acupuncture works are not yet fully understood, but like other neuromusculoskeletal therapies, the process activates the body’s healing properties.
Inserting a needle into the body’s points stimulates the central nervous system.
This leads to the release of chemicals in the brain, spinal cord, and muscles that promote healing.
These same chemicals and reactions also reduce the body’s sensation of pain. (Teng Chen et al., 2020)
Number of Sessions
The amount of sessions that acupuncture takes to provide pain relief varies from person to person and case to case.
One review found that treating plantar fasciitis weekly with acupuncture produced significant pain relief after four to eight weeks. (Anandan Gerard Thiagarajah 2017)
This corresponds to another medical review that included a study showing significantly improved pain levels in individuals undergoing weekly acupuncture sessions for four weeks. (Richard James Clark, Maria Tighe 2012)
Individuals are recommended to consult a healthcare provider about personalized treatment plans and if they have a bleeding disorder, are on blood thinner medications, or are pregnant.
Thiagarajah A. G. (2017). How effective is acupuncture for reducing pain due to plantar fasciitis?. Singapore medical journal, 58(2), 92–97. doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2016143
Clark, R. J., & Tighe, M. (2012). The effectiveness of acupuncture for plantar heel pain: a systematic review. Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, 30(4), 298–306. doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2012-010183
Chan, M. W. C., Wu, X. Y., Wu, J. C. Y., Wong, S. Y. S., & Chung, V. C. H. (2017). Safety of Acupuncture: Overview of Systematic Reviews. Scientific reports, 7(1), 3369. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-03272-0
Chen, T., Zhang, W. W., Chu, Y. X., & Wang, Y. Q. (2020). Acupuncture for Pain Management: Molecular Mechanisms of Action. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 48(4), 793–811. doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X20500408
Can individuals dealing with neck pain incorporate acupuncture as part of their health and wellness treatment to relieve headaches?
Introduction
As part of the musculoskeletal system, the neck allows the head to go into full rotation without feeling discomfort or pain. The neck is part of the cervical spine region and is surrounded by numerous ligaments, muscles, and tissues that help protect the spinal cord and the spinal column. However, the neck is also the most susceptible to injury neck to back pain as it is one the top three complaints many individuals suffer from at some point in their lives. When people experience neck pain, numerous causes can contribute to developing neck pain, while pain-like symptoms like headaches contribute to the body. This causes many individuals to seek treatment and find the relief they are looking for to reduce neck pain while continuing their daily routine. Today’s article looks at how neck pain is associated with headaches and how treatments like acupuncture can help with neck pain and reduce the painful effects of headaches. We talk with certified medical providers who utilize our patients’ information to provide acupuncture treatments to lessen the impact of headaches caused by neck pain. We also inform patients how multiple non-surgical treatments can help reduce headaches and pain-like symptoms associated with neck pain. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricated and important questions about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing from neck pain. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Neck Pain & Headaches
Have you been experiencing unexplained stiffness along the sides of your neck? Do you feel a dull ache at the base of your neck or skull after looking down at your phone for an extended period? Or do you experience frequent headaches that are constant throughout the day? Many people dealing with these pain-like issues are associated with neck pain that is affecting their quality of life. Neck pain is amongst the top three complaints many people have experienced at some point. Neck pain has common presenting symptoms that are diagnosed, and the prevalence is much higher in older adults due to degenerative spinal changes in the facet joints and spinal discs. (Childress & Stuek, 2020) Many individuals experience common musculoskeletal pain conditions like muscle strains and stiffness when this happens. At the same time, neck pain can also be associated with neurological conditions that cause overlapping risk profiles, forcing many individuals to miss out on important events. Neck pain is a multifactorial musculoskeletal condition affecting many individuals as it induces them to miss work. This is because various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors contribute to developing neck pain. (Kazeminasab et al., 2022) These risk factors can range from physical inactivity to poor posture, causing overlapping risk profiles that can trigger neck pain to advance over time.
So, how are headaches associated with neck pain? When a person is experiencing a headache, many would often think that the headaches are caused by not eating enough food or drinking enough water. Those are some of the factors that contribute to headaches, but they can also be due to the stress and comorbidities that are associated with neck pain. This is due to the risk factors many individuals don’t realize contribute to neck pain. Factors like the forward head position from smartphone usage cause tension on the cervical structures, generating potential degeneration and tearing of the neck structures. (Maayah et al., 2023) As repetitive motions affect the neck structure more over time, the nerve roots that surround the spine and spread through the upper extremities can become aggravated, and cause referred pain to different areas of the body, leading to headaches. When dealing with headaches associated with neck pain, they will feel stress, affecting their productivity. The headaches can range from acute to chronic, depending on the severity. Fortunately, many individuals dealing with headaches associated with neck pain will seek treatment to reduce the pain-like symptoms and feel the relief to return to their daily routine.
Healing After Trauma- Video
Many individuals who are dealing with neck pain often deal with headaches as a sign that risk factors are in play, like poor posture, slouching, or traumatic injuries that can affect their ability to work or participate in activities. This can cause many people to feel miserable and decrease their quality of life, thus causing them to seek out treatment for their pain, hence why many individuals opt for non-surgical treatments due to them being affordable and personalized. Non-surgical treatments range from chiropractic care to acupuncture, depending on the severity and location of where the pain is in the body. The video above shows how non-surgical treatments can help many individuals positively influence healing after a traumatic injury and restore a person’s well-being.
Acupuncture For Neck Pain
Non-surgical treatments are excellent for individuals trying to find the relief they seek in their neck pain. As stated earlier, non-surgical treatments are cost-effective and tailored to the person’s pain. Acupuncture is a form of non-surgical treatment that can help reduce the comorbidities associated with neck pain. Acupuncture is a medical practice in which highly trained, licensed, and certified professionals use solid, super-thin needles to be placed at specific points to treat the body. What this does is that when the needles are penetrating the points, it will begin to open any blockage or excess energy to flow correctly, restore balance to the body, and relieve the individual’s symptoms. (Berger et al., 2021) Some of the beneficial results that acupuncture can provide individuals with neck pain is a reduction of pain and disability to the neck while treating referred pain that is causing overlapping risk profiles to induce headaches. (Peron et al., 2022)
Acupuncture Relieving Headaches
Since headaches are associated with neck pain, acupuncture can help relieve the headaches from progressing further and enable many individuals to get back to their routine. Some overlapping risk profiles contributing to headaches include trigger points on the neck muscles that can cause non-dermatomal referral pain and discomfort. (Pourahmadi et al., 2019) When an acupuncturist is treating individuals for their headaches, many individuals will begin to feel the relief after a few consecutive sessions, and, combined with physical therapy to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles, will notice that the pain has been reduced significantly. Acupuncture is a safe, helpful, and available alternative treatment that is beneficial for many individuals dealing with headaches associated with neck pain. (Urits et al., 2020) By incorporating acupuncture as part of a person’s treatment plan, they can begin to feel the relief they deserve while also being more mindful of how they are treating their bodies to prevent pain-like symptoms from returning.
References
Berger, A. A., Liu, Y., Mosel, L., Champagne, K. A., Ruoff, M. T., Cornett, E. M., Kaye, A. D., Imani, F., Shakeri, A., Varrassi, G., Viswanath, O., & Urits, I. (2021). Efficacy of Dry Needling and Acupuncture in the Treatment of Neck Pain. Anesth Pain Med, 11(2), e113627. doi.org/10.5812/aapm.113627
Childress, M. A., & Stuek, S. J. (2020). Neck Pain: Initial Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician, 102(3), 150-156. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32735440
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For individuals dealing with neck or arm pain and migraine headache symptoms it could be a splenius capitis muscle injury. Can knowing the causes and symptoms help healthcare providers develop an effective treatment plan?
Splenius Capitis Muscles
The splenius capitis is a deep muscle located on the upper back. Along with the splenius cervicis, it comprises the superficial layer – one of the three – of intrinsic back muscles. The splenius capitis works with the splenius cervicis, a smaller muscle located below it, to help rotate the neck and lower the chin to the chest, known as flexing. Maintaining a healthy posture is important because it helps keep the head in a neutral position.
Starting at the midline of the spine at C3 to T3, the splenius capitis spans the levels between the 7th cervical vertebra to the 3rd or 4th thoracic vertebrae, which varies for different individuals.
The muscle inserts at the nuchal ligament, which is a strong ligament of the neck.
The splenius capitis muscle angles up and out, attaching to the skull.
The splenius capitis and cervicis cover the vertical paraspinals, which are deeper and comprise the intermediate layer of the intrinsic back muscles.
The splenius muscles look like a bandage for the paraspinals and the vertical muscles that comprise the deepest layer.
The splenius muscles hold these deeper layers in the correct position.
These muscles start at the center of the spine and together form a V shape.
The sides of the V are thick, and the central indentation is shallow.
Pain
It’s common for individuals to experience pain associated with injury to the splenius capitis. This type of pain is known as splenius capitis syndrome. (Ernest E, Ernest M. 2011)
Symptoms
A headache stemming from injury often mimics a migraine headache. Symptoms of splenius capitis syndrome include: (Ernest E, Ernest M. 2011)
It’s recommended to contact a healthcare provider if experiencing symptoms that interfere with daily activities or quality of life. A healthcare provider will:
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