neck pain

 Neck Pain: How Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Can Help

Neck pain is a condition that affects more and more people around the world, especially those who lead a sedentary lifestyle or spend a lot of time in front of a computer. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to treating neck pain, combining acupuncture, acupressure, herbs, and exercises such as Qigong. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, TCM aims to understand and eliminate the causes of pain while restoring the body's energy balance.

Causes of Neck Pain According to TCM

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, neck pain can result from several main causes:

Qi and Blood Blockage – Restrictions on the flow of Qi and blood can lead to muscle tension and pain.

Yin and Yang Deficiency – An imbalance between Yin (cool, calm energy) and Yang (hot, active energy) can contribute to chronic inflammation.

Wind and Cold Invasion – exposure to cold and wind (e.g. drafts) can cause stiffness and tension in the neck muscles.

Neck Pain Treatment Methods According to TCM

1. Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupuncture is one of the most important treatments in TCM that can effectively relieve neck pain. By inserting needles into specific points such as the Fengchi point (GB-20) and Jianjing point (GB-21), you can reduce muscle tension, improve Qi circulation, and relieve inflammation.

Acupressure is an alternative method of pressing acupuncture points, which can be done by yourself. Here are three important points to massage:

Fengchi Point (GB-20) – Located in the hollow of the back of the neck, pressing on this point can help relieve neck pain and improve energy flow.

Jianjing Point (GB-21) – a point on the shoulder that helps relieve muscle tension.

Hegu Point (LI-4) – located between the thumb and index finger; generally used for pain and tension.

Regular use of acupressure can provide relief from neck pain, especially if combined with other methods such as herbal medicine.

2. Herbal Medicine

Herbs are the foundation of TCM and can aid in the treatment of neck pain by providing analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and warming effects. Here are some herbs commonly used in TCM to treat neck pain:

Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) – has anti-inflammatory effects and improves Qi circulation.

Gui Zhi (Cinnamon) – warms the body and helps remove cold, often used in painful conditions caused by cold invasion.

Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis) – has an analgesic effect, similar to painkillers available in Western medicine.

Du Huo (Radix Angelicae) – ideal for pains associated with cold and damp.

Simple Herbal Recipe for Neck Pain

Tea for Neck Pain

Ingredients :

5 g Gui Zhi (Cinnamon)

5g Gan Cao (Licorice)

5g Cang Zhu (Atractylodes)

3-5 slices of ginger

Preparation : Boil the ingredients in 500 ml of water for about 15 minutes. Strain and drink twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening.

This tea helps relieve neck pain by having a warming and analgesic effect.

3. Qigong exercises

Qigong is a system of slow exercises that are designed to improve the flow of Qi and restore the body's energy balance. These exercises focus on breathing, stretching, and gentle movement, which can help relieve tension in the neck muscles. Simple Qigong exercises, such as "Head Circulation" and "Neck Stretching," can be done daily to prevent neck pain and improve muscle flexibility.

Summary

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a wide range of natural methods that can help treat neck pain. Regular use of acupuncture, acupressure, appropriate herbs, and Qigong exercises can provide relief and improve quality of life. Neck pain does not have to be an everyday problem—with TCM, you can effectively address this condition by focusing on energy balance and a holistic approach to health.

Other diseases

Here you will find new information about Neck Pain and how to treat it with TCM