What is neck disc pain?

Neck pain can significantly impact our daily lives, and often, it's linked to issues with the cervical discs in our spine. These small, cushion-like structures between the vertebrae play a crucial role in supporting neck movement. When problems arise, they can lead to discomfort, stiffness, and even radiating pain.

Neck disc pain, often attributed to a herniated cervical disc, results from the displacement of the soft, gel-like substance within the spinal disc. This herniation can occur due to age-related wear and tear, injury, or degeneration. When the disc's outer layer weakens, the inner material may protrude and press against surrounding nerves. This compression triggers pain, as nerves become irritated or inflamed. Additionally, herniated discs can cause stiffness and discomfort by compromising the spine's structural integrity.

Things that our neck discs dislike:

When you put too much pressure on your neck, maintain tension, or sit in a poor posture for a long time, it can lead to stiffness in the muscles and ligaments around the neck, potentially resulting in chronic pain. Neglecting chronic neck pain may contribute to muscle and ligament degeneration, becoming a precursor to neck disc issues. Moreover, failing to address conditions like forward head posture and turtle neck promptly may escalate and contribute to the development of neck disc problems. Therefore, seeking timely treatment is crucial to prevent potential complications associated with neck disc issues.

• Habit of lowering the head while looking at a smartphone
• Posture of pushing the chin forward while looking at the monitor
• Inappropriate height of the pillow, either too low or too high
• Prolonged forward head posture
• Sudden strain

‍

Herniated Cervical Disc Symptoms:

• Frequent shoulder and back pain
• Frequent numbness or tingling that goes down to the fingers
• Weakness in a hand or arm
• Stiff neck and frequent headaches

‍

 Simple neck pain might not necessarily indicate neck disc issues. However, if you're encountering numbness in the hands or arms, shoulder pain, and headaches, there's a higher likelihood of it being related to neck disc problems.

‍

Evidence-Based Medicine for Neck Pain:

The effectiveness of acupuncture in addressing these symptoms is becoming evident through research papers.

In a research study focusing on neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis, a condition related to wear and tear in the neck, the efficacy of acupuncture was compared with sham acupuncture or a placebo effect. The study, involving 896 patients, revealed that after 4 weeks, the group receiving acupuncture and intradermal needling experienced significantly less neck pain compared to the sham acupuncture or placebo group [1]. This improvement persisted even after 16 weeks [1], and individuals who received acupuncture and intradermal needling reported an overall better quality of life [1]. These findings suggest that acupuncture can be beneficial in alleviating neck pain associated with cervical spondylosis, and these positive effects may last for at least 3 months. While it's important to acknowledge that individual experiences may vary, the findings from this study suggest that acupuncture could stand out as a beneficial option for addressing neck pain.

‍

Reference:

[1] Chen, L., Li, M., Fan, L., Zhu, X., Liu, J., Li, H., Xu, Z., Chen, J., Liang, Z., Liu, Z., Feng, L., Chen, X., He, Q., Chen, X., Ou, A., He, J., Ma, R., Ning, B., Jiang, L., Fu, W. (2021). Optimized acupuncture treatment(acupuncture and intradermal needling) for cervical spondylosis–related neck pain: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Pain, 162(3), 728–739.https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002071.

‍

Disclaimer:

This website and its contents are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Whenever possible, it is advised to seek professional care from a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical treatment.