- Acupressure for cervical spine? Far Eastern traditional medicine against neck and back pain
- What exactly is cervical spine syndrome?
- The structure of the cervical spine
- Acute and chronic cervical spine syndrome
- The symptoms of cervical spine syndrome
- Causes and duration of cervical spine syndrome
- Possible triggers of the cervical spine syndrome
- How long does the cervical spine syndrome last?
- The diagnosis of cervical spine syndrome
- Treatment of cervical spine syndrome
- Acupressure as a therapeutic approach for cervical spine syndrome
- The effect of acupressure on cervical spine syndrome
- Cervical spine syndrome: multicausal origin, multimodal treatment
Acupressure for cervical spine syndrome? Far Eastern traditional medicine against neck and back pain
Acupressure is a form of acupuncture and goes back to the methods of traditional Chinese medicine. The treatment is based on the knowledge that pain relief is possible when certain energy blockages in the body are released. In acupressure, this is achieved either with finger pressure or with specially made acupressure mats, which are reminiscent of the nail boards used by fakirs or yogis in India.
Neck and shoulder tension can have a variety of causes, e.g. a cervical spine distortion (whiplash injury) or a slipped disc.
Scientific studies such as the study by the University of Munich 2016 and others (Daegfa overview of the study situation for acupuncture) assume that acupuncture has a positive effect on the treatment of cervical spine. How can this correlation be explained?
Provides relaxation. Place your neck on the Shakti cushion or simply roll up the mat with the tips facing outwards.
What exactly is cervical spine syndrome?
The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae (upper = 1 and 2, middle = 3, 4, 5, lower = 6 and 7). These support the head and are prone to tension and pain due to their structure and fine mechanics. All complaints around the cervical spine are called cervical spine syndrome. It is usually associated with restricted movement in the shoulder and neck area, and sometimes the pain extends into the arms.
The structure of the cervical spine
The seven cervical vertebrae are each separated by an intervertebral disc. It functions like a shock absorber and cushions sudden movements. As the upper end of the spine, the cervical spine has to perform important tasks such as tilting and turning the head, as well as stretching and bending the upper back. The vertebrae are naturally held and supported by the neck muscles that surround them.
If something goes wrong, for example, a cervical spine disc herniates or certain muscle strands around the vertebrae stiffen and form a blockage. We refer to this as cervical spine syndrome or cervical syndrome.
Acute or chronic cervical spine syndrome
Doctors differentiate between cervical spine syndrome not only according to where it occurs (1st-7th vertebrae), but also according to the duration of the symptoms. If it lasts for more than three months, it is referred to as chronic cervical spine syndrome. Those affected are already familiar with the clinical picture and often suffer from recurring pain in the shoulder and neck area.
Acute cervical spine syndrome is different: it is caused by a sudden overload (1st-3rd week: acute, 4th-12th week: subacute). Typical symptoms would be neck pain after gardening or an injury such as cervical spine distorison, whiplash, which occurs in a traffic accident.
The symptoms of cervical spine syndrome
The complaints of cervical spine syndrome vary depending on the vertebrae on which they are located and what triggered them. In addition, there are physical signs of wear and tear that have an increasing influence on the course of the symptoms with increasing age.
Nevertheless, there are some typical symptoms of cervical spine syndrome:
- Stiffening of the neck
- Pulling and burning in the neck and shoulder muscles
- Limited mobility of the head
- Headache
- Migraine attacks
- Tinnitus
- Dizziness
- Visual disturbances
- Nausea
- Pain radiating to the shoulders and arms
- Tingling or numbness in the hands
If the symptoms remain untreated or are misdiagnosed, they can increase and become chronic. Therefore, affected persons should consult a physician in time, also to exclude neurological diseases with similar symptoms.
Causes and duration of cervical spine syndrome
The cause of a cervical spine syndrome is not always as obvious as in the case of an accident that results in a cervical spine distortion.
Possible triggers of cervical spine syndrome:
- Stress and lack of exercise
Anyone who sits in an office for long periods or spends a lot of time in a one-sided posture is more susceptible to cervical spine syndrome than people who exercise every day. Initially, tension develops, which then leads to hardening of the neck muscles. Purely psychological causes such as high levels of stress usually make the diagnosis more difficult. - Injuries and accidents
The pain can be explained by sudden external impact on the muscles and vertebrae of the affected person. For example, there is whiplash or the affected person has lifted a heavy object awkwardly. - Age-related wear and tear
The vertebrae, retaining ligaments and intervertebral discs in particular recede as we age; they act less supplely and therefore provide poorer support during unexpected movements of the neck or back. - Joint blockages
A cervical spine blockage restricts mobility from one moment to the next. The pain usually radiates, the affected person feels like with lumbago, only the blockage is higher up the spine. - Inflammations
Each vertebra has its own vertebral arch or facet joints. If these become inflamed, the result is facet syndrome. Sometimes bacteria are the trigger of this clinical picture, but often also overstrain, e.g. by carrying heavy objects. - Side effect of other pre-existing conditions
Those who suffer from osteoporosis or rheumatism often also develop cervical spine syndrome. Patients who are treated for tumors or scoliosis can also suffer from complaints around the cervical muscles.
The ShaktiMat acupressure mat promotes blood circulation and temporarily colors the back red.
How long does the cervical spine syndrome last?
We already know the distinction between acute, subacute and chronic cervical spine syndrome. Accordingly, the answer to the question is how long the complaints last: Unfortunately, this can be quite different. It is important that the diagnosis is made quickly and that the cause of the pain is found. If this is the case, a chronic course of the disease can possibly be prevented. If the cervical spine syndrome has a psychological cause, this can perhaps be remedied; if it is an inflammation or a blockage, patience is necessary. Without treatment and self-initiative, e.g. acupressure by a ShakiMat (see below), a severe course of the disease is most likely.
The diagnosis of cervical spine syndrome
The difficulty of diagnosing cervical spine syndrome lies in the fact that many disparate symptoms occur simultaneously. Anyone suffering from complaints in the neck and shoulder area should consult a doctor. In practice, the diagnosis proceeds as follows:
- 1. anamnesis
The doctor asks the patient about the symptoms and the course of the clinical picture. It is worthwhile to consider in advance how best to describe one's own pain and also to share ideas for possible other causes or concerns with the doctor. - 2. examination
The doctor checks where the pain points are located by physically examining the patient. He looks for inflammatory reactions and malpositions and palpates the affected person in the tense regions. - 3. MRI
In individual cases, the doctor may order a magnetic resonance imaging scan. This allows him to rule out, for example, a slipped disc as the cause of the cervical spine syndrome or another acute injury. - 4. diagnosis
Acute or chronic? Has the cause of cervical spine syndrome already been determined? Depending on the clinical picture, the doctor decides after the diagnosis on the further...
Treatment of cervical spine syndrome
No one in medicine has believed for a long time that back pain can be permanently alleviated by medication alone. The treatment of cervical spine syndrome usually involves several approaches - both with the active involvement of the patient and with passive forms of therapy. Experience has shown that a combination of different treatment approaches leads to success. Which methods are used here?
Drug therapy
Painkillers are not a solution, but they can offer a bridge to new possibilities. As pain medication loosens the affected muscle area and relieves inflammation, it is usually first aid in times of need.
However, this is particularly true for acute cervical spine syndromes; treatment with medication is problematic for long-term pain. Side effects can occur and dependencies can develop that further impair the patient.
Physiotherapy
Exercise is an important component in the healing process for cervical spine syndrome. The tension around the neck muscles can be reduced by exercising the upper body. A physiotherapist works to utilize the natural tensile forces of the muscles and to equalize the strain on a specific point in the nerve or muscle area. For example, stretching exercises or exercises with fascia rolls can be useful measures for cervical spine syndrome. The advantage of this form of therapy is that those affected can continue the exercises at home and thus actively participate in the healing process themselves.
With the help of your acupressure mat, you can prepare the muscles even better for a massage treatment, as physiotherapist Anne confirms in the following video:
Herbal medicine
Purely herbal medicines can also provide some pain relief. These preparations are usually based on essential oils that can help relax muscles and reduce inflammation, e.g., eucalyptus, pine or spruce needles. Tinctures are made from plant parts such as roots, bark, or flower, e.g., arnica, yarrow, or calendula.
Electrotherapy and physical therapy
These two methods can complement other treatments. For example, a hot bath, a sauna session or a shoulder-arm wrap relieves pain in many patients. Of course, massages can also show positive effects, as long as they are provided by accredited physiotherapists.Electrotherapy works with ultrasound, red light, but also iontophoresis or NSM. The latter two involve stimulation of the nerves with electronic impulses.
Quaddle therapy and MIT (minimally invasive injection therapy)
These two are therapeutic approaches for chronic pain patients. Quaddle therapy is controversial. It uses small amounts of an anesthetic to relax muscles, blocking pain stimuli. MIT is mainly for patients with paralysis. A combination of injected pain medications and external therapy methods is the last resort before surgery is threatened.
Surgery
Surgery under general anesthesia is what patients with cervical spine syndrome want to avoid. It is used when all therapeutic means have failed. Usually, such a step is considered after three months of treatment.In the past, the surgeon(s):approached in the cervical vertebrae through an incision on the chest, today through the neck of the patient. Cervical spine surgery involves numerous risks and should therefore take place only in extreme emergencies, for example, when the replacement of an intervertebral disc is unavoidable.
Acupressure as a therapeutic approach for cervical spine syndrome
Pain specialists have long pointed out that acupressure can lead to pain relief. By applying pressure to certain parts of the body, the muscles relax and the patient experiences possible relief. Acupressure is a form of acupuncture and has a long tradition in the medical history of Asia. It is applied either with a gentle pressure massage by a therapist or with external aids such as a acupressure cushion or a acupressure mat
The ShaktiMat and the ShaktiCushion offer cervical spine syndrome sufferers a good supplement to conventional pain therapies. Those affected normally use them for around 20 minutes: They roll the acupressure mat into a Pillow and place their neck on it. As the ShaktiMat promotes blood circulation in a similar way to an Indian nail cushion, many sufferers find the first encounter challenging. The body first has to slowly get used to the spikes in the neck and shoulder area. However, this usually happens within 21 days.
The effect of acupressure on cervical spine syndrome
Curious about how these little spikes can help you? Find out here
When acupressure is applied, the body releases endorphins and after a few minutes, a feeling of warmth develops in the painful area. Patients report that their headaches and migraines subside and their tension is immediately relieved. Fascia and muscles loosen up and the healing process can begin. The acupressure mat can also be used for the entire back and neck area. Those affected usually integrate the application into their daily routine and, for example, make it an evening ritual to relax on the ShaktiMat for a few quiet minutes.
Some exercises for a pain-free everyday life
Mobility
Gradual mobilization is the best way to gently restore mobility to the neck. You can do this exercise three times a day:
Turn your head as far to the right as you can and nod a few times. Now slowly turn your head to the left and nod here too. It is important that your back remains completely straight. Then tilt your chin up to your chest. Lower your head as far as you can and then slowly turn it from one side to the other. For the third exercise, push your head far forward. Make a long neck. Then pull your head back in as if you wanted to make a double chin. Over time, you will notice how these movements become easier and easier.
Strengthening
As well as making your neck more flexible, you should also strengthen its muscles. There is a simple and effective exercise for this too:
Place your hand on your forehead and stretch your neck. Now press your head against your hand for 10 seconds and then relax again. Repeat this tension a few times. You can do the same with your hand on your temple. Of course, press your head against the hand on the side of your temple. Do this at least once on each side. Again, it is important to keep your back as straight as possible during the exercise.
The wonderful yoga teacher Nico shows you more exercises with the ShaktiMat specifically for the neck and shoulders in our video Acupressure mat exercises and application: Neck and shoulders | Part 3 | ShaktiMat. This video is part of a whole series of introductory videos.
Cervical spine syndrome: multicausal origin, multimodal treatment
People who suffer from tension in the neck muscles and cervical vertebrae are severely restricted in their everyday lives. Pain always has a psychological impact, it makes people uncomfortable and causes them to withdraw. With targeted therapy methods, patients can break out of the acute pain and prevent cervical spine syndrome from developing into a chronic condition.
Depending on the individual case, treatment should include a combination of physiotherapy, medication, special pain-relieving therapies and acupressure. It is best for the individual to find out for themselves what is good for them. If the diagnosis is established quickly and the therapy can take effect, surgery is not necessary in most cases. However, triggers (such as stress) may need to be eliminated and new approaches to pain relief may need to be explored.
We hope that this article was helpful for you and could answer some questions.
Yours, Masha & your Shakti Mat Team
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About the author
MARIA a.k.a. MASHA is an author, columnist and screenwriter. She loves and enjoys Berlin to the fullest. But sometimes she gets the wanderlust and comes up with crazy ideas like couch surfing in Mexico or hiking alone in the jungle. Why not? When she has given all the mothers of this world plenty of heart attacks, she is otherwise quite reasonable writes for Neon, with pleasure or Refinery 29 or works on film productions for Constantin Film, among others. Together with her boyfriend she has realized a project of the heart and founded a German/English online magazine Literaa Poetry. According to the motto: Stories with heart and depth.