Many people have experienced the situation of waking up with a stiff neck. Do you remember how you relieved it? Traditional Chinese medicine teaches you methods to relieve neck stiffness and avoid its effects. Let's take a look together!
Traditional Chinese Medicine Methods to Relieve Neck Stiffness
1. Apply pain-relief patches
If you don't have time for massage or therapy, you can choose to apply pain-relief patches like Yunnan Baiyao on the affected area.
Change the patch in the morning and evening, and then do some simple massage. This method has proven to be very effective.
2. Massage the "neck stiffness" acupoint
In traditional Chinese acupuncture, there is an acupoint called the "neck stiffness" acupoint, located on the back of the hand, between the second and third metacarpal bones, just behind the knuckles.
This acupoint is known for its effectiveness in treating neck stiffness and can be massaged by alternating between the left and right hand.
3. Cupping therapy
First, find two or three tender points on the neck, shoulders, and back. Use a tri-edge needle to make small scratches on these tender points, then apply cupping therapy and remove the cups when there is a small amount of bleeding.
4. Ear acupressure with mung bean therapy
Select the neck acupoint, the Shenmen acupoint, and other sensitive points on the ear, and press mung beans onto the selected points. Use a 0.8x0.8 cm mung bean adhesive patch to secure them. Press the points three times a day, two minutes each time.
How to Prevent Neck Stiffness
1. Choose a suitable pillow
To prevent neck stiffness, first, choose a suitable pillow that matches the curvature of your neck.
If the height of the pillow does not match the curvature of your neck, combined with improper sleeping positions, it can easily cause muscle damage in the neck.
2. Keep your neck warm while sleeping
To prevent neck stiffness, it is also important to keep your neck warm while sleeping. Make sure to keep your neck and other areas warm at night.
Because exposure to cold air affects blood circulation in the neck and can also impair the function of neck muscles.
3. Avoid vigorous neck muscle movements
To prevent neck stiffness, it is important to avoid vigorous movements of the neck muscles in daily life.
Vigorous movements of the neck muscles can also cause muscle damage in the neck, leading to local muscle stiffness and pain.
Diet Recommendations for Neck Stiffness
1. Pueraria Root and Red Bean Congee
Boil 15g of pueraria root in water to extract the juice, then cook 20g of red beans and 30g of glutinous rice together to make congee. This congee is suitable for those with stiff necks.
2. Goji Berry and Beef Congee
Cook 50g of diced beef and 100g of glutinous rice together to make congee. When the congee is almost cooked, add 20g of goji berries. This congee is suitable for those with neck discomfort and weak lower limbs.
3. Seaweed and Cassia Seed Drink
Boil 15g of seaweed, 15g of cassia seeds, and an appropriate amount of chrysanthemum flowers together, then drink the mixture regularly. This drink is suitable for those with cervical spondylosis accompanied by high blood pressure and blurred vision.
