Acupuncture for Neck & Shoulder Pain
Oak Bay Victoria BC
Acupuncture and cupping massage can relieve stress, tension and pain in the neck and shoulders as a result of long hours of sedentary desk work, home renos, hobbies and sports.
What causes neck and shoulder pain?
Chances are you know what a stiff neck feels like. It’s the difficulty shoulder-checking while driving or the dull, chronic ache. You can touch the tight muscles, feel the warmth of inflammation or hear the joints crack as you move.
Neck tension can have wide-spread effects. You might not realize the tension is related to the pain in your wrist, your recurring headaches, jaw pain, tinnitus, dizziness or other issues. Your brain communicates with your body through nerves exiting through the base of your skull, so neck tension can compress nerves, leading to pain, inflammation, poor blood circulation, and/or impaired movement — not only locally, but also in other areas of the body.
How acupuncture helps for neck and shoulder pain
Acupuncture can target and release muscle tension, especially when combined with cupping and acupressure massage. This decreases soft tissue restriction and allows nerves to glide and not feel pinched. Electro-acupuncture can also be applied to either side of a sensitive nerve to reduce local inflammation and pain along the entire course of the nerve. Acupuncture can also target specific pathways to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing responses within the body.
I have offered neck and shoulder massage since 2005 and incorporate this into my acupuncture practice for a fully comprehensive experience. Finding a balance of relaxing muscles in the front and back of the neck can make the whole world feel like a better place.
I work long hours on the computer, so regularly deal with tension in my neck and shoulders. Sabrina’s use of cupping and massage alongside acupuncture is what makes her treatments so outstanding. I left our first session feeling not only pain free, but also completely relaxed — a complete nervous system reset — and have been hooked ever since. I also appreciate the personalized followup and after care recommendations.
C.V.
Have questions?
Self Care Tips for Neck & Shoulder Pain
Sore between your shoulder blades? It sounds obvious, but we spend most of our time doing things with our hands out in front of us. This results in our shoulders rounded forward, straining exactly those muscles.
Try 10-20 repetitions of these exercises for near-instant pain relief:
- Pushups against a wall or countertop. It only needs to be slightly weight-baring; just enough resistance to engage the muscles.
- Shoulder shrugs or rolls, with or without light weights.
- Lay flat on your stomach with arms stretched out in a “T” and gently lift your arms backwards towards the ceiling.
Inclusive Care for All Bodies & Brains
As with any kind of new experience, it is normal to wonder if or how a situation will work for you.
I have been offering relaxation massage for 20 years and acupuncture for over 10, and have hundreds of tips and tricks for accommodating a wide variety of needs and making your entire treatment experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.