The neck is susceptible to injuries due to its broad scope of motion. Injuries of cervical soft tissues such as stiff neck or whiplash due to auto accident is a common cause of acute neck pain, where the pain is mostly distributed on the cervical and suprascapular regions, sometimes may radiate to the hind head the upper back between the bilateral scapulas, and the ipsilateral arm. And it may become chronic unless effective and timely treatments are applied. In general, acupuncture or tuina can achieve excellent effectiveness for such cervical pains.

Therapy

Needling therapy is often used for patients of stiff neck or whiplash . For acute cases, both distal and local points can be selected. For chronic cases, local points are preferred. When puncturing the distal points , Waiguan (TE5) and Xuanzhong (GB39)can serve as master points and a strong stimulation without needle-retaining can be applied. During the needle-manipulation ,instruct the patient to exercise the neck concurrently. Commonly used local points are those with tenderness, swelling or hard nodules such as Tianzhu(BL10) and Fengchi(GB20) for stiff neck quyuan(SI10),Jianwaishu(SI14) , Dazhui (GV14),Shenzhu (GV12), Feishu(BL13),Jianjing (GB21), and Tianzong(SI11) for pain on the scapula and the upper back. Choose 5-7 local points each time, and retain needles for 20-30 min after the generation of needling sensations . For reflex points with a large scope ,the method of MNSP( multiple needles at a single point) can be applied. When the affected region is marked swollen, it is suitable to combine needling with infrared radiation or moxibustion during the needle-retaining period.

IN addition, tuina or acupressure can be applied alone or in conjunction with acupuncture. First, apply routine manipulations to relax the muscles of the neck and shoulder, gently turn the patient’s head left and right. When cervical muscles are fully relaxed, push the patient’s chin lightly towards one side with a moderate amount of force, which might generate a crisp “clicking” sound. Then, knead and press local Ashi points or tender spots such as Tianzong (Si11) or Jianjing(GB21). Finger pressures should be heavy enough so that the patient feels some inThe neck is susceptible to injuries due to its broad scope of motion. Injuries of cervical soft tissues such as stiff neck or whiplash due to auto accident is a common cause of acute neck pain, where the pain is mostly distributed on the cervical and suprascapular regions, sometimes may radiate to the hind head the upper back between the bilateral scapulas, and the ipsilateral arm. And it may become chronic unless effective and timely treatments are applied. In general, acupuncture or tuina can achieve excellent effectiveness for such cervical pains.

Therapy

Needling therapy is often used for patients of stiff neck or whiplash . For acute cases, both distal and local points can be selected. For chronic cases, local points are preferred. When puncturing the distal points , Waiguan (TE5) and Xuanzhong (GB39)can serve as master points and a strong stimulation without needle-retaining can be applied. During the needle-manipulation ,instruct the patient to exercise the neck concurrently. Commonly used local points are those with tenderness, swelling or hard nodules such as Tianzhu(BL10) and Fengchi(GB20) for stiff neck quyuan(SI10),Jianwaishu(SI14) , Dazhui (GV14),Shenzhu (GV12), Feishu(BL13),Jianjing (GB21), and Tianzong(SI11) for pain on the scapula and the upper back. Choose 5-7 local points each time, and retain needles for 20-30 min after the generation of needling sensations . For reflex points with a large scope ,the method of MNSP( multiple needles at a single point) can be applied. When the affected region is marked swollen, it is suitable to combine needling with infrared radiation or moxibustion during the needle-retaining period.

IN addition, tuina or acupressure can be applied alone or in conjunction with acupuncture. First, apply routine manipulations to relax the muscles of the neck and shoulder, gently turn the patient’s head left and right. When cervical muscles are fully relaxed, push the patient’s chin lightly towards one side with a moderate amount of force, which might generate a crisp “clicking” sound. Then, knead and press local Ashi points or tender spots such as Tianzong (Si11) or Jianjing(GB21). Finger pressures should be heavy enough so that the patient feels some intense yet tolerable sensations of soreness on the affected region, even local warmness, or perspirations throughout the entire body. Meanwhile, instruct the patient to exercise the affected region. Finally, rub the local skin using the ulnar side of the palm until the skin turns slightly red and becomes warm. By using this method, most stiffness of the neck can be alleviated instantly.

The above treatments can be applied once daily for acute patients and once every other day or every 3-4 days for chronic patients.

tense yet tolerable sensations of soreness on the affected region, even local warmness, or perspirations throughout the entire body. Meanwhile, instruct the patient to exercise the affected region. Finally, rub the local skin using the ulnar side of the palm until the skin turns slightly red and becomes warm. By using this method, most stiffness of the neck can be alleviated instantly.

The above treatments can be applied once daily for acute patients and once every other day or every 3-4 days for chronic patients.