A neck holds the burden of a head upright, so it is necessary to keep it pain-free. Cupping is a natural way to relieve neck pain.
The medical term for neck pain is cervicalgia. The neck (cervical spine) combines nerves, joints, muscles, and bones. A neck is a passageway for food (solids, liquids), oxygen, and blood that travels between the brain and the rest of the body through blood vessels, nerves, and lymph nodes. When a nerve pathway in the neck is inflamed, it causes pain in the neck, shoulders, head, arms, and back.
Categories of Neck Pain
Neck pain can be categorized into three divisions. Neck pain can range from being, a trivial health issue to stabbing pain that may interfere with an individual’s daily life activities. The period of neck pain is commonly categorized as follows:
Acute Neck Pain: This category of neck pain may last for a couple of weeks. Non-traumatic Neck Pain: This category of neck pain may last for a month. It is mostly caused by soft tissues disorder like poor posture or carry heavy items. Traumatic Neck Pain: This category of neck pain lasts for three months or sometimes more. It is commonly associated with hyperextension syndrome which leads to chronic neck pain syndrome.
Reasons For Neck Pain
Neck pain is widespread. Some of the common causes of neck pain are:
- Having a poor posture
- Awkward sleeping positions
- Lifting heavy objects
- Extreme exercises
- Pinched nerves
- Sports injuries
- Car accidents
- Several medical conditions like Osteoarthritis
- Ruptured disk
- Depression and anxiety
Symptoms Of Neck Pain
- Tight or stiff muscles around the neck
- Headaches, Shoulder aches
- Decreased range of motion
- Numbness or tingling sensation around the neck, arms and hands
- Being unable to tilt your head
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Dizziness
Risk Factors Of Neck Pain
Depression, anxiety, old age, demanding jobs, obesity, exposure to uncommon postures at work, headache history, smoking, drug abuse, lifting heavy objects, and high job demands are all risk factors for neck pain.
Connection of Mental Health & Neck Pain
Mental and physical health are linked together, as one disturbs and influences the other. Several studies indicate that those who have chronic neck pains have higher liability for anxiety and depression. When an individual is under stress or anxious, the neck muscles contract. Our bodies hold tension in the neck and shoulder muscles. The more stressed we are, the more tense the muscles become, causing more discomfort, pain, and stiffness. Reducing stress and tension is one way to deal with neck pain.
How To Reduce Neck Pain
1- Heat or Ice Pack: Using heat or ice packs is a very effective and secure natural treatment for neck pain. Both packs are very convenient for neck pain. Choosing the right pad according to the situation is essential. When the heat pad is applied to the neck, it increases the blood flow and widens the blood vessels in the area. Applying a heating pad after an acute injury helps to reduce inflammation in the body. It can also be beneficial for chronic pains.
2- Exercise: Various stretches and exercises are designed to relieve neck pain. These exercises are easy to follow and can be performed by sitting on a chair. Let’s discuss some of the neck stretches:
- 360-degree neck rotation
- Back and forth bend & side to side bend
- Shoulder shrug
- Chin rotation from one shoulder to another
- Nose across ceiling
- Dive backward and forward
3- Quit Smoking: Smoking can be linked to cervical degenerative disc disease. As we age, our cervical disc becomes dehydrated and shrinks. The drying of the discs may form cracks and tears and may cause pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. Smoking may add to the degeneration of discs.
4- Massage: Self-massage techniques are one of the best and safest techniques to reduce neck pains. Neck massage helps to relieve tension, improves blood circulation, relaxes headaches, and boosts energy. Apply any oil to your hands, start by focusing on the back and sides of the neck and shoulder blades. Massage gently in a circular motion then glide your fingers up and down the neck and around the shoulder blades.
5- Stay hydrated: As mentioned above, the aging process and some unhygienic choices make our cervical discs dehydrated and shrink them. These discs are made up of water, and staying hydrated will keep them strong and energetic.
6- Maintain proper posture: Poor posture is one of the most common causes of neck pain. Adjust your desk or keep the monitor at eye level. Choose a pillow that keeps your cervical spine in a neutral alignment to maintain good posture.
7- Physical Therapies: Physical therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage, and Hijama cupping therapy can help relieve neck pain.
Hijama Cupping Therapy
Hijama cupping therapy is a traditional alternative medical treatment practiced in different cultures. The ancient Egyptians, Chinese culture, Arabic medicine, Greek medicine, and Prophetic medicine all practiced other types of cupping. Even though the crux of performing cupping is to alleviate pain by increasing blood circulation and eliminating toxins from the body. Cupping also helps to reduce pain and inflammation and increases blood flow which provides relaxation and well-being to the body.
The results of Hijama cupping therapy are always 100% when the cup is placed on the area of pain. When we place cups around the neck and create a vacuum inside the cup, the skin lifts over the muscles. The fresh blood rushes to fill the space between the skin and the muscles. Fresh blood helps to get rid of stiffness and soar muscles. When we perform the incisions, they carry away toxins that cause stiffness. When the toxic blood comes out, it leaves more space for fresh blood. Cupping therapy increases the blood circulation around the affected area, which helps to alleviate inflammation and discomfort. Besides increased blood circulation, the vacuum created by cups also attracts the fresh circulation of lymph fluid. The lymph fluid removes inflammatory cells and promotes immune cells that enhance the healing process.
Dry cupping therapy is effective for non-traumatic (acute) neck pain. Apply dry cupping over the neck and shoulder blades 4 to 5 times at one visit. The cups should be on the neck for 3 to 5 minutes. Dry cupping reduces muscular tension, promotes cell repair through oxygenated blood flow, increases range of motion around the neck, and works as a natural pain reliever.
Hijama/Wet cupping therapy is more adequate for the treatment of traumatic (Chronic) neck pain.
According to my experience, sometimes individuals get instant relief from neck pain by applying wet cupping on the points mentioned in the picture.
A single treatment of Hijama cupping therapy for neck pain improves functional ability and quality of life for everyone. Hijama is a natural, detox procedure that is very effective in promoting blood circulation, boosting immunity, balancing the body’s hormones, and revitalizing the body.
