Introduction

Neck pain may reside solely in the neck, or may also include headache or shoulder pain. When the pain starts in the shoulders and radiates to the head it is referred to as Cervicocephalic syndrome [Backer2010, pg 314] (also known as cervicocranial syndrome).

According to Go to external Internet sitePhysiopedia, "The syndrome frequently demonstrates symptoms of dizziness and often visual (e.g. nystagmus) or auditory disturbances (e.g. tinnitus)."

Please see conventional, complementary, and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed on this page. Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative treatments that may be considered include:

Pathophysiology

Causes of neck pain include:

  • Trauma
  • Stress (emotional or postural)
  • Proprioceptive abnormalities [Backer2010, pg 314].
  • Segmental articular dysfunctions [Backer2010, pg 314].
  • Ligamentous hypermobility [Backer2010, pg 314].
  • Compensation for lower spinal abnormalities [Backer2010, pg 314].

Management

Acupuncture

  • GB-39 (Move neck while manipulating needle) [GengJunying1995, pg 118].
  • <&SIC Luò zhěn&> (Move neck while manipulating needle) [GengJunying1995, pg 118].
  • GB-20 (local point) [Backer2010, pg 128]; E-stim: GB-20 → GB-21 [PIHMA]
  • GB-21 (local point) [Backer2010, pg 128]; E-stim: GB-20 → GB-21 [PIHMA]
  • UB-10 (local point) [Backer2010, pg 128]
  • UB-60 (distal point) [Backer2010, pg 128]; Move neck while manipulating needle [GengJunying1995, pg 118].
  • SI-3 (distal point) [Backer2010, pg 128]; Move neck while manipulating needle [GengJunying1995, pg 118].
  • Cervical Huatuo Jiaji; and A-Shi points [PIHMA].
  • Backer also recommends distal points such as TB-5, Liv-3, and UB-66 [Backer2010, pg 316].
  • For wind-Bi syndromes consider adding GB-20, LI-4, LI-11, and Liv-3 [Backer2010, pg 311].
  • For cold-Bi syndromes consider adding TB-4, St-42 with moxa [Backer2010, pg 311].
  • For damp-Bi syndromes consider adding Sp-6, Sp-9 with moxa [Backer2010, pg 312].
  • For damp-heat-Bi syndromes consider adding LI-11, Sp-9, GB-34, TB-5, St-44 [Backer2010, pg 312].
  • For contractures consider adding Liv-3, GB-34 [Backer2010, pg 311].
  • For Qi-stagnation consider adding Liv-3, LI-4 [Backer2010, pg 109].
  • For Blood-stagnation consider adding Sp-10, Liv-2 [Backer2010, pg 109].

In addition, see the treatment of headache

References