Neck & Shoulder Pain

Nicola came to see me because she was experiencing terrible neck and shoulder pain that was leaving her unable to fully turn her head making driving difficult and general chores even more of a chore.

Pain or sporting injuries are usually the main reason why people try Acupuncture for the first time.  Acupuncture is brilliant at resolving these issues. Muscular issues can quite quickly be rectified and the main areas I deal with along with neck and shoulder pain are lower back pain, hip pain and knee pain. I have several patients using the therapy to help with long term pain management too. Acupuncture is now recommended in NICE guidelines, along with gentle exercise, as the best way to manage back pain rather than pain relieving medication.

“I made an appointment for acupuncture with Katie during a particularly stressful time in my life when I found myself carrying that stress in my neck and shoulders. Not only did the treatment work wonders and allow the tension to dissolve, but the time spent with Katie was incredibly relaxing - I didn't want to leave her beautiful treatment room or her soothing company!”

In Nicola’s case her pain was caused through stress. She had recently experienced an unexpected bereavement and was battling with the early days of overwhelming grief. I feel that this is where Acupuncture really comes into its own and is the reason I love it so much. It not only treats the physical symptoms but supports the emotional wellbeing of patients too. Chinese medicine is all about looking at the whole person and not looking at a physical ailment in isolation. Nothing can take away the pain of grief, but Acupuncture can, and does, soothe the journey.

And it's not only bereavement that can manifest itself physically. Any stress or anxiety whether it be through work or home often takes on a physical manifestation to force us to recognise that there is a problem. It’s our body's way of making us take notice of our emotional wellbeing too which we have become programmed to ignore a bit more. Patients often comment on leaving the treatment room feeling zoned out, super relaxed or in need of a nap. All signs that your nervous system has been given the prompt it needs to slow down and given permission to slow down.

If you think Acupuncture could help you with managing pain or stress, please do book in with me or give me a call on 07879 814566 to discuss first.