Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture London Chelsea, North Kensington, Notting Hill, and Richmond

Neck and shoulder pain is a common complaint that affects millions of people worldwide. While it can be challenging enough on its own, some individuals also experience an alarming phenomenon: the pain shooting down to their arms, forearms, and fingers. This radiating pain can be both distressing and debilitating, but understanding why it occurs is the first step towards finding relief and addressing the underlying issues. The Anatomy of the Neck, Shoulders, and Arms To understand why neck and shoulder pain can radiate to the arms, forearms, and fingers, it's crucial to grasp the complex anatomy of this region. The neck consists of seven cervical vertebrae, while the shoulders comprise the scapula (shoulder blade) and the humerus (upper arm bone). The arms extend down to the wrists and hands, where numerous bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves converge. Common Causes of Neck and Shoulder Pain Muscular Strain: One of the most prevalent causes of neck and shoulder pain is muscular stra...

Acupuncture, a form of alternative medicine that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, has been widely used to relieve pain in clinical settings. Due to its effectiveness and minimal side effects, it has become a popular treatment option for various pain conditions. A recent systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture on hand and wrist pain intensity, functional status, and quality of life in adults. The study findings indicated that acupuncture may be effective and safe for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in hand-and-wrist conditions. The systematic review examined the results of several trials on different conditions. One trial focused on cryotherapy-induced pain and showed significant pain reduction post-treatment. Another trial looked at rheumatoid arthritis and found significant pain reduction and function improvements post-treatment and in the short-term. A third trial focused on carpal tunnel syndrome and dem...

Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent condition that occurs when the median nerve at the wrist is compressed. This can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand, wrist, and fingers. In severe cases, muscle atrophy may occur, making it challenging to perform daily tasks. Therefore, effective and safe non-surgical treatments for CTS are highly sought after Acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular and accepted worldwide as a treatment for neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Studies examining the effectiveness of acupuncture for CTS are starting to emerge. One research review analyzed data from 16 eligible studies involving a total of 1,025 participants. The average age of participants ranged from 36.4 to 53.6 years. Fifteen of the studies focused on patients with mild to moderate CTS, examining the effects of acupuncture as both a standalone and adjunctive therapy for CTS. The review found that compared to night splints, acupuncture as a...

Effect of acupuncture on wrist pain and carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that causes pain, numbness and a tingling sensation in the hand and fingers. This is caused by compression of median nerve that passes carpal tunnel and controls sensation and movement of the hand. If the nerve is entrapped in the tunnel, an unpleasant tingling, pain or numbness will occur in the distal distribution area which is in the hand and fingers. About 10% of people in the UK develop this condition. The symptoms include slowed median nerve conduction velocity, local pain and abnormal sensations such as tingling, burning, numbness etc. The symptoms develop gradually and are worse during the night. The affected fingers include thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger. The risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome include a family history of CTS, pregnancy, injuries to the wrist, other health conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis a...