NECK PAIN RELIEF IN METAIRIE – BIG EASY ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL MEDICINE
Does acupuncture help with neck pain?
Yes, acupuncture can relieve neck pain by releasing tight muscles, reducing inflammation, and restoring mobility
DON’T LET NECK PAIN HOLD YOU BACK
Does your neck feel stiff, sore, or hard to move?
Do you get headaches from neck tension or long hours at a desk?
Many people deal with this every day from posture, stress, or old injuries.
Neck pain makes simple things harder — turning your head, sleeping well, or even enjoying time with family.
Neck pain doesn’t just cause discomfort. It can trigger tension headaches, limit mobility, disturb sleep, disturb work, and drain your energy. The good news? Acupuncture offers safe, natural, and drug-free relief that addresses the root cause of your discomfort.
WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN?
Neck pain is one of the most common reasons our Louisiana residents seek out acupuncture treatment. Neck pain can be caused by a wide range of factors, including wear-and-tear, strains or sprains, or inflammation. A few common culprits include:
Everyday Strain, Occupational, Lifestyle strain:
- Long hours at a desk, on the road, carrying heavy weight, overuse or doing repetitive tasks
Poor Posture / Seated Lifestyle:
- Text neck, tech neck, long computer hours, long drives, awkward sleep positions
Injuries, Accidents, Trauma:
- Whiplash, sports injuries, or accidents
Nerve Entrapments / Irritation:
- Nerves being elongated, shortened, or compressed to cause pain along a line of action
Medical Conditions / Aging:
- Arthritis, herniated discs, disc height changes, and some age related wear and tear
Growths / Scars:
- Masses, tumors, cysts, scars, and bone spurs. These can put pressure on nerves and cause a line of action of pain/inhibition along that nerve pathway
Lifestyle Factors:
- Smoking (slows healing), stress (tightens muscles), seasonal cold/damp weather can all trigger pain, or feeling tight muscles when sick.
HOW PEOPLE EXPERIENCE NECK PAIN
What Might People Feel?
- Physically – Pain can be experienced widely from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing pain. You may also experience reduced mobility, headaches, stiffness, or pain/weakness radiating to your arms if nerves in the neck are compressed
- Mentally – Decreased quality of life, depression, or anxiety due to long term effect on lifestyle
- Time Frame – Some cases resolve with rest and lifestyle changes; others become persistent or recurring, lasting months or years.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK FOR NECK PAIN?
Acupuncture is effective because it targets both the muscles and nerve pathways involved in pain.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is well known to provide a natural, anatomy based, researched, and safe approach to treating neck pain.
Thin sterile needles are inserted at specific points either locally or along distant areas of the body that connect to the same pathways to manipulate the body, reduce pain, and calm the nervous system. Pain can come from nerves being elongated, shortened, or compressed. Nerve compression and muscular tensions lead to areas of the body not being able to fire actions like a misfire in a car or perform as intended because the area could be shut off.
Western Medical Perspective:
- Triggers release of endorphins (your body’s natural pain relievers)
- Relaxation of tight muscles and reduces spasms
- Improves blood flow and circulation for faster healing
- Reduces inflammation and swelling
- Restore strength and mobility by promotion of nerve signaling and action
- Calms the nervous system, helping the body “reset” from chronic tension
Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective:
- Clears energy (Qi) blockages that create pain and stiffness along meridians
- Restores balance and circulation of Qi, blood, and body fluids
- Calms the mind to hold less tensions in the body
The Result: Less neck pain, fewer headaches, better sleep, improved posture, improved mobility and strength, and improved quality of life.
RESEARCH ON ACUPUNCTURE FOR NECK PAIN
Modern research supports what patients have experienced for centuries: acupuncture helps relieve neck pain and improve mobility.
- A study published in the British Medical Journal found acupuncture to be a safe and effective treatment for chronic neck pain, improving both movement and comfort.
- Research from the National Institutes of Health showed that acupuncture not only reduces pain intensity but also improves daily quality of life, with results that last beyond treatment.
These findings confirm what we see every day in our clinic: acupuncture provides safe, natural, and long-lasting relief for people living with neck pain.
TYPES OF TECHNIQUES USED FOR NECK PAIN
Traditional Acupuncture
- Insertion of thin needles along body meridians. Points along the Gallbladder, Bladder, Small Intestine Channels, and Hua Tuo Jia Ji points of the central spine are most often used.
Sports Medicine Acupuncture
- Insertion of thin needles to manipulate motor points of specific muscles to decompress nerves, relax muscles, restore strength and mobility
Electrostimulation
- Electroacupuncture attaches clips to the needles with a gentle pulsating electric current between them. Electrostimulation can provide deeper stimulation for a period of time without the need to manually stimulate each needle
Cupping
- Cups are placed onto the skin to create suction. This increases blood flow to surface level tissues and loosens muscles/tendons
IMAGING AND RED FLAGS
X-Rays, MRI, CT Scans, and other imaging may be recommended if:
- Pain following a major injury, accident, or fall
- Weakness, numbness, tingling spreads to arms or legs
- Pain is severe, persistent, or gets worse even with care
- Coordination issues or balance issues, sudden loss of bladder/bowel control
- Unexplained weight loss or major fluctuations in body temperature
- Imaging can be used to determine structural changes as we age and also after some injuries causing high levels of pain. A few examples that could be found: fractures, cysts, disc issues, and nerve entrapments
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST ACUPUNCTURE VISIT
When you visit Big Easy Acupuncture in Metairie, we start by discussing the reason for your visit, history of complaint, and checking your mobility and muscle strength. Then we create a plan just for you.
Initial Consultation and Assessment
- Discussion of condition, history of condition, detailed medical history, and orthopedic mobility and strength assessment
Treatment Process
- Acupuncture needling targeting pathways of pain and muscles according to findings
- A relaxing session with needles retained for about 20 minutes — many people even nap during treatment
What Do People Feel
- Reduction in pain levels, increased range of motion, relaxation of tight muscles, sense of relaxation or euphoria, Possible temporary soreness near needle sites.
Complementary Care
- Treatments may also include cupping, electro-acupuncture, or manual therapy to enhance results
Herbal Medicine
- Custom herbal blends targeted to your specific condition. Works well between visits of acupuncture to keep treatment going
Lifestyle Recommendations and Exercises
- Support with recommended stretches, posture tips, and stress management techniques
Big Easy Acupuncture treatments utilize a combination of Sports Medicine Acupuncture along with Traditional Chinese Medicine to bring you the best of both this ancient healing system along with modern treatment methods.
BENEFITS OUR PATIENTS NOTICE
- Relief from neck pain and stiffness
- Fewer headaches caused by tension and increased blood flow
- Better posture, range of motion, and strength
- Improved sleep and less stress
- Reduced intake of pain medications
- More energy for daily life
Many patients notice relief after the first or first few visits. For ongoing pain, a short series of treatments helps retrain your body and bring steady improvement.
AFTERCARE (POST TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS)
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid stress triggers if possible and be mindful of any neck triggers
- Avoid vigorous exercise immediately after treatment
- Some patients may have temporary soreness at needling sites as the body processes treatment. This can be normal for some and resolves normally within 24-48 hours.
- Pain reduction is not the only progress people make on their journey to reduce and remove their pains. Pay attention to changes in mobility, strength, sleep, medications used, and overall comfort level.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many acupuncture sessions do I need for neck pain?
- Most patients notice improvement within the first visit or first few visits. For chronic conditions, a short series of 6–8 visits helps retrain your body and provide lasting relief.
Is acupuncture safe for chronic neck pain?
- Yes. We see many patients with acute and chronic neck pain. Acupuncture is a very safe option. Some patients may feel temporary almost post workout soreness at the needle site after treatment.
Can acupuncture help with tension headaches from neck pain?
- Absolutely. By relieving tight muscles, improving circulation, and regulating the nervous system, acupuncture often reduces headache frequency and intensity.
Do you accept insurance for acupuncture?
- Big Easy Acupuncture is a cash-based clinic. However, we can provide itemized receipts for insurance reimbursement upon request.
Unlike pain medications that only mask symptoms, acupuncture helps your body heal. It’s safe, natural, and effective — and it’s trusted by people all over the world.
🌿 Ready to Find Relief from Neck Pain?
📍 Big Easy Acupuncture | Metairie, LA
📞 504-650-0027
FEEL RIGHT. MOVE FREE. LIVE EASY.
References:
- Irnich, D., et al. Randomised trial of acupuncture compared with conventional massage and “sham” laser acupuncture for treatment of chronic neck pain. British Medical Journal June 30, 2001;322:1-6.
- Liang Z, Zhu X, Yang X, Fu W, Lu A. Assessment of a traditional acupuncture therapy for chronic neck pain: a pilot randomized controlled study. Complement Ther Med. 2011 Jan 19, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21195292.
