Acupuncture is a centuries old form of Chinese medicine that uses small needles to help open and balance energy channels throughout the body.When the channels are open and balanced, life force energy, or Chi, can flow freely and keep the organs, muscles, hormones, and mind functioning well. Acupuncture has been gaining popularity in the United States over the years, and can be effective for many musculoskeletal disorders. People with back pain, headaches, neck pain, tendinitis, and various nerve injuries can benefit from this ancient healing technique.

Though not often covered by insurance, acupuncture may be worth paying for out of pocket if more conventional treatments have failed. The National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/) provides valuable information about the practice of acupuncture, associated risks/side effects, costs, how to find a practitioner, and research findings.

If you are considering acupuncture, talk with your primary care doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor who may be able to provide a referral to somebody in your area.

When people hear I’m a physical therapist, I often get bombarded with questions about their various aches and pains. This began when I first started college at cookouts, and has continued through the years at weddings, functions, playgroups, and the sidelines at my son’s soccer games.

Though it’s great to be able to talk to people about their problems and help them figure out the best steps to take, there are of course issues with liability (I don’t think my policy covers me if I give advice at the grocery store) and being able to accurately evaluate them based upon a verbal description of their symptoms.

What I love about Wellness Professionals is the numerous exercise videos that have been provided to go along with each of the diagnoses as well as the tools to help you determine what might be going on. All of the instructions are provided in both written and video format, which makes my “job” when I’m not working so much easier. At our most recent family gathering, my brother-in-law asked me what he could do about his neck pain that causes him headaches. I was able to quickly refer him to the Wellness Professionals site and told him to look at the section on cervicogenic headaches and start trying some of those exercises. It is such a great resource to be able to refer people to, and I hope many people out there in the world of cyberspace are able to take advantage of it and start taking control of their pain or injury.

To view the exercises and see which ones are right for you, follow the above link to the home page and click on “Stretches and Exercises.” Remember, the more strength and flexibility you have, the less pain and disability you are likely to experience.

Today’s abcnews.com has a great article, titled “Headaches: What a Pain in the Neck.” It explains in a very reader friendly way how posture, muscle weakness and tightness, and bad habits can contribute to neck pain and eventually headaches.

Cervicogenic headaches, as they’re called, are headaches that stem from some type of dysfunction of the cervical spine. It can be caused by a malalignment of the cervical vertebrae, tightness in the muscles at the back of the neck near the skull as well as along the sides of the neck, or due to poor posture. In any case, they are different from migraines or tension headaches. (Consult with a health care provider to determine if your headaches may be originating in the cervical spine.)

If your headaches are caused by tightness in the cervical musculature at the base of the neck, using a Ma roller or still point inducer may be of benefit. (I have a Ma roller that I use any time I feel tension, tightness, or malalignment anywhere along my spine with immediate relief most of the time…I couldn’t live without mine.) Another simple technique to try is to roll a tennis ball along the base of the neck to help relieve tightness. Performing simple neck exercises will also be of help for cervicogenic headaches.

If you have neck pain and headaches, there is a chance that they are directly related. Speak to your health care provider and understand there are many non-invasive, non-chemical treatment options that can help you.