Bi (obstruction) and back pain

Neck, shoulder & back pain

Desk-bound neck, shoulders and back. Acupuncture, cupping, gua sha and stretching advice, planned around your pain and routine.

When people come in

Stiff neck and shoulders, limited turning
Aching back after sitting
Pain affecting sleep or work

The Chinese medicine view

TCM reads pain as blocked flow: strain, cold or depleted qi and blood hold up circulation in the channels.

Common patterns

Qi and blood stagnation

Stabbing, fixed, worse with pressure

Wind-cold-damp obstruction

Worse with cold, stiff

Liver and Kidney deficiency

Weak lower back and knees, worse after sitting

Patterns are identified by a practitioner through all four examinations. They are here to explain the thinking, not for self-diagnosis.

The medical view

Most neck and back pain relates to posture, strain or muscle tension. Numbness or weakness in the limbs, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, pain after an injury or severe pain at night need urgent care.

Get medical help now if

Limb numbness or weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or severe pain after injury: seek urgent care.

What the consultation covers

Elizabeth checks the painful areas, movement and daily posture, then uses acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, cupping or gua sha as appropriate, with stretches and acupressure for home.

Therapies that may be discussed: Acupuncture, Cupping, Gua sha

What to bring

Where it hurts, when it started, what sets it off
X-ray or MRI reports, if any
Work posture and exercise

Questions

How long do cupping marks last?

Usually a few days to a week. Their colour is not a measure of “toxins”.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on how long and how severe the pain is; progress is reviewed each visit.

References

Book on WhatsApp