- Art of Wellness Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)11704 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 295, Los Angeles, CA, 90025
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Recent Posts
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- How to Treat Spinal Headache With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Sarcoidosis With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Flu With Acupuncture and TCM
- Chinese New Year 2025 Year of the Snake
- How to Treat Lumbar Stenosis With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Wrist Pain With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Cervical Radiculopathy With Acupuncture and TCM
- How To Treat Frozen Shoulder With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Pelvic Congestion Syndrome With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Splenomegaly (Enlarged Spleen) With Acupuncture and TCM
- How to Treat Bone Spurs With Acupuncture and TCM
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How to Treat Flu With Acupuncture and TCM
By Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Coughing, fatigue, body aches, fever? The flu often comes on more suddenly and intensely than a common cold. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer holistic treatment for the flu, alleviating flu symptoms, strengthening the immune system, and helping your body recover faster and avoid complications.
What Is the Flu?
Influenza, or “the flu,” is a viral infection that targets the respiratory system. Caused by various strains of the influenza virus, the flu spreads easily through respiratory droplets when someone sneezes, coughs, or talks, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Unlike the common cold, the flu can lead to complications like sinus infections, bronchitis, or pneumonia, especially for children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with chronic health conditions.
Flu symptoms generally last 5–7 days, but fatigue and weakness may linger for weeks. Complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, or worsening of chronic conditions can occur, making proper care and recovery essential.
Acupuncture treatment and traditional Chinese herbal remedies can help make you feel more comfortable, fight off the virus, shorten the duration of the flu, and help prevent further complications, like pneumonia.
Top 10 Flu Symptoms
While flu symptoms can vary, they are typically more intense than those of a cold. Common flu symptoms include:
- High fever (usually above 100°F/37.8°C)
- Chills and sweating
- Severe fatigue
- Body aches and muscle pain
- Headache
- Dry, persistent cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Shortness of breath or chest discomfort
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (more common in children)
The flu’s systemic effects, such as body aches and fever, set it apart from the cold, which tends to stay localized in the nose and throat.
Conventional Flu Treatment

When most people experience flu symptoms, they usually turn to over-the-counter (OTC) remedies to manage discomfort and speed recovery. Common options include pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever, body aches, and headaches. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine can help alleviate nasal congestion, while antihistamines may reduce runny nose and sneezing. Cough suppressants and expectorants are frequently used for managing cough symptoms. These remedies do not treat the flu virus itself but aim to ease symptoms and improve comfort during recovery.
When consulting a medical doctor, the advice may differ based on the severity of symptoms and the patient’s health history. Doctors typically recommend rest, plenty of fluids, and fever management with OTC medications. For higher-risk patients, such as the elderly, young children, or those with underlying conditions, a physician may prescribe antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or baloxavir (Xofluza). These antivirals work best when started within 48 hours of symptom onset and may help reduce the duration and severity of the flu. Doctors may also advise preventive measures such as flu vaccines to reduce the likelihood of severe flu symptoms in the future.
How TCM and Acupuncture View and Treat the Flu
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the flu is understood as an invasion of external pathogens, which disrupt the body’s internal balance. These pathogens are categorized by patterns that describe the nature of the illness and its symptoms.
For the flu, the two most common TCM diagnostic patterns are:
Wind-Cold Flu: Symptoms include chills, body aches, mild fever, and a runny nose with clear mucus. This type of flu often makes you feel cold and tired. Treatment in TCM focuses on dispersing wind and cold, warming the body, and alleviating muscle aches.
Wind-Heat Flu: Symptoms include a high fever, sore throat, cough, and yellow mucus. People with wind-heat flu may feel hot, irritable, and experience dryness or redness in the throat and nasal passages. Treatment focuses on clearing heat, reducing inflammation, and supporting the body’s ability to heal.
In TCM, the flu is not seen as a single illness but as a dynamic condition unique to the individual. Acupuncture treatment for the flu aims to restore balance by addressing the specific pattern of symptoms and supporting the immune system.
An acupuncturist will treat you with an individualized treatment plan, including acupuncture points and herbs to help relieve specific symptoms and address underlying conditions.
Can Acupuncture Help the Flu?

Acupuncture helps to boost the immune system and relieve symptoms like body aches, congestion, and fever by stimulating specific points that regulate the body’s energy (Qi).
Acupuncture is a safe and natural way to support the body during and after the flu. Specific acupuncture points are used to target the symptoms and promote faster recovery by relieving nasal congestion and sinus pressure. Points on the face and head can help open the nasal passages and reduce sinus pain.
Acupuncture helps improve blood circulation and relax the muscles to ease body aches and discomfort. Points along the lung and throat meridians can help relieve dryness, inflammation, and coughing.
In addition to acupuncture, herbal medicine is often used to support the body during flu recovery. Herbal formulas like Yin Qiao San or Gan Mao Ling are commonly prescribed to address early-stage flu symptoms, such as sore throat and fever. Other remedies, like ginger tea or custom herbal combinations, may be recommended based on the individual’s specific needs and flu pattern.
Preventing the Flu with Acupuncture and TCM
The best way to avoid the flu is to strengthen your immune system before flu season hits. TCM emphasizes maintaining balance in the body through regular acupuncture treatments, seasonal herbal formulas, and healthy lifestyle habits. Diet, sleep, and stress management are also key components of flu prevention in TCM. Foods like warming soups, ginger, garlic, and green vegetables can help nourish the body and support immunity.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has demonstrated significant promise in the prevention and treatment of influenza through various mechanisms, including antiviral effects, immune modulation, and anti-inflammatory properties. Classical TCM prescriptions incorporate combinations of herbs that target both the virus and the host’s immune response.
TCM contributes to indirect antiviral activity by regulating the host immune system. Studies reveal that herbal prescriptions like Sheng Jiang San (SJS) and Yinqiao powder help modulate cytokine activity, which is associated with lung inflammation in influenza.
TCM approaches flu treatment through a dual action: directly targeting the virus and enhancing the host’s immune defenses while controlling inflammation.
Getting regular acupuncture treatments and taking your herbal formula is one of the best ways to prevent flu and the common cold.
Acupuncture Near Me for Flu Relief in Santa Monica and West LA
Whether you’re dealing with the flu or looking for preventative care during flu season, acupuncture and TCM offer a natural, effective approach to health and wellness. At Art of Wellness, our experienced practitioners tailor treatments to address your unique symptoms and help your body recover faster. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your health through every season.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.
Chinese New Year 2025 Year of the Snake
By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.
Chinese New Year 2025: Year of the Wood Snake

The Lunar New Year begins on January 29, 2025, and with it comes the Year of the Snake! As we transition from the dynamic Year of the Dragon 2024 to the mysterious and intuitive Snake Year, we can expect a shift in energy. While the Dragon represents bold and external action, the Snake encourages introspection, wisdom, and transformation. Expect changes on the horizon, for the world at large, and for you, as an individual, in the Snake Year.
Chinese Zodiac 2025
The Chinese Zodiac, like the Western Zodiac, cycles through twelve animals, with each animal representing one year in a twelve-year cycle. In addition, the Chinese astrological system incorporates the five elements—Wood, Water, Metal, Earth, and Fire—which rotate alongside the zodiac animals. 2025 will be the Year of the Wood Snake, emphasizing growth, creativity, and flexibility.
Every 12 years, there will be the return of an animal sign, but it is a 60 year cycle before the sign appears with the same element. Thus, the last time that it was the year of the Wood Snake was in 1965.
The Snake is associated with intuition, mystery, and wisdom. People born under the Snake sign are often seen as deep thinkers, strategic planners, and naturally charming. The Wood element enhances the Snake’s ability to adapt and brings a softer, more nurturing quality to its otherwise intense and focused energy. This makes 2025 a year to cultivate patience, pursue self-improvement, and seek balance in all areas of life.
What Is My Chinese Zodiac Sign?
To find your Chinese zodiac sign, look for your birth year below (if your birthday falls in January or February, double-check as the Lunar New Year varies):
Snake: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Horse: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Goat: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Monkey: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Rooster: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Dog: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Pig: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Rat: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Ox: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Tiger: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Rabbit: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Dragon: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Year of the Snake Horoscope

While the Dragon inspires bold moves, the Snake is known for its ability to pause and evaluate before acting. In 2025, you may find yourself encouraged to slow down, assess long-term goals, and focus on inner growth. The Snake’s association with transformation means this year could bring opportunities for personal or professional reinvention.
Top 3 Personality Traits of the Snake
People born in the year of the snake might seem casual and nonchalant, but under the surface, they are always thinking deeply and taking things quite seriously. They are great at making detailed plans, setting goals, and solving problems. On the negative side, the Snake may tend to gossip, gathering information about people and using it to manipulate the situation.
- Strategic and Thoughtful: Snakes take the time to think through problems and are deliberate in their actions, relying on their sharp intuition to make decisions. In fact, it may be difficult for the Snake to stop over-thinking.
- Charming but Reserved: While Snakes are social, they can be guarded about revealing their true selves. The snake is quite independent, and can hide in stillness for long periods of time before moving quickly to act. If the snake has a weakness, it may be that it can be suspicious of others and therefore rely on its own judgement too much.
- Resilient and Mysterious: Snakes possess a quiet strength and are drawn to uncovering life’s deeper truths.
Best Wellness Tips for 2025
The Snake’s introspective energy is an excellent reminder to care for both your mental and physical health. This year may be the perfect time to explore practices that promote mindfulness, such as meditation or acupuncture. Strengthen your resilience by supporting your immune system and prioritizing balance in all aspects of life.
Chinese New Year Traditions: Preparing for the Year of the Snake
The Lunar New Year is a time for celebration, reflection, and preparation. Traditional activities include:
- Cleaning Your Home: A thorough cleaning before the New Year sweeps away bad luck and makes room for positive energy.
- Wearing Lucky Colors: The Snake’s lucky colors include green, black, and yellow. Incorporating these hues into your wardrobe or home décor can enhance harmony and luck.
- Giving Red Envelopes: Red envelopes filled with money symbolize good fortune and are a beloved tradition of Lunar New Year celebrations.
Feng Shui for 2025

To align with the Snake’s energy, focus on creating a serene and organized environment. Declutter your space and add natural elements like plants or wood accents to harness the creative energy of the Wood Snake. Incorporating calming symbols, such as the Snake itself, can further enhance a sense of peace and protection.
Bringing in new house plants is a wonderful way to welcome new energy and prosperity into your home. Great choices as lucky plants for 2025 include:
- Bamboo plant
- Lemon tree or orange tree
- Succulents with round, full leaves
- Jade plants
- Basil plants
Acupuncture & TCM for the Year of the Snake
The Snake’s connection to transformation and healing aligns closely with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, the Snake symbolizes regeneration, as snakes shed their skin to grow. This year is an ideal time to focus on preventive care and balance through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mindful living.
Whether you’re seeking relief from stress, boosting your immunity, or resetting your body’s energy, acupuncture can be an invaluable tool in 2025.
Happy New Year from Art of Wellness
As we move into the Year of the Snake, it’s time to nurture your inner wisdom and embrace the opportunity for personal growth. From all of us at Art of Wellness, we wish you health, happiness, and harmony in 2025.
“岁岁平安!” — Peace and safety year after year!
How to Treat Wrist Pain With Acupuncture and TCM
By Qineng Tan, L.Ac. Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Wrist pain when you bend it? Is it hard to open jars or doors? Popping sound in wrist? Pain at the base of the thumb? Wrist or fingers swollen? Wrist pain can be caused by a variety of joint issues, including tendinitis of wrist, or De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Acupuncture and TCM can help treat the root cause of wrist pain.
The wrist is a complex joint composed of several small bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. In medical terminology, the thumb side of the wrist is the radial wrist (wrist pain on thumb side, radial thumb pain, or inner wrist pain), while the little finger side is the ulnar wrist (wrist pain on pinky side, ulnar wrist pain, or outer wrist pain).
Injuries, such as a wrist fracture, are a particularly common cause of acute wrist pain, as people will often try to catch themselves with an outstretched hand when falling, which can easily lead to wrist injury. Wrist fractures can result in wrist pain, swelling, bruising, and an inability to move the wrist normally.
Fractures may also damage nearby ligaments, nerves, and tendons, which can complicate healing and prolong discomfort. Proper alignment and stabilization are essential for healing, and if not treated correctly, a fracture can lead to chronic pain and arthritis in the wrist.
Acupuncture treatment can certainly be helpful for reducing inflammation, relieving acute pain, and helping to speed the healing of a wrist fracture.
Other, more chronic conditions can also cause wrist pain.
Top 5 Causes of Wrist Pain

Certain chronic health conditions that build up slowly over time can ultimately lead to wrist pain and dysfunction. Some of these include:
- Arthritis of the Wrist – Osteoarthritis of the wrist and rheumatoid arthritis can both be causes of wrist pain. Osteoarthritis is typically caused by wear and tear on the cartilage of the wrist joint. This condition usually develops slowly over time, especially in individuals who have experienced previous injuries or repetitive stress on the wrist. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the wrist joints, leading to pain, warmth, and eventual joint damage. Both types of arthritis can severely limit the range of motion and strength in the wrist, making even simple activities painful.
- Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) – Repetitive stress injuries in the wrist are caused by continuous or repetitive movements, such as typing, gripping, or lifting, which can strain the tendons and ligaments in the wrist. Over time, this repetitive strain can lead to inflammation, pain, and decreased mobility. Carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis (discussed further below) are common forms of repetitive strain injury that cause wrist pain. RSI often requires rest and modification of activities to allow the wrist to heal, as continuous stress can worsen the condition and lead to long-term issues.
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis – De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (also known as Quervain disease or styloid tenosynovitis) affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. It occurs when the tendons around the base of the thumb become inflamed, leading to pain and tenderness, particularly during movements that involve gripping or pinching. This condition is often the result of repetitive thumb movements, such as those used in typing or texting. De Quervain’s disease tenosynovitis can cause sharp pain on the radial (thumb) side of the wrist, and people may find it difficult to grasp or hold objects.
- Tendonitis (or Tendinitis) of the Wrist – Tendonitis of the wrist refers to inflammation of the tendons that cross the wrist joint. It is commonly caused by repetitive motion, excessive strain, or sudden injury. Tendonitis can affect various tendons depending on the type of movement that led to the condition. Pain and swelling are typical symptoms, and the affected area may feel warm to the touch. Wrist tendonitis is often seen in athletes and individuals who perform repetitive tasks with their hands and can result in decreased wrist function and grip strength.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of neuropathy, or nerve condition, caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This compression leads to pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand and wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often associated with repetitive wrist movements and can be exacerbated by activities that involve gripping or bending the wrist. If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage and reduced hand function.
Other possible causes of wrist pain could include: bursitis (small, fluid-filled sacs that form between bones), ganglion cysts (fluid-filled cysts that form near joints), or Kienbock’s disease (in which the lunate bone of the wrist begins to break down).
Treatment for Wrist Pain
When a patient presents with wrist pain, diagnosis usually begins with a physical examination to identify the specific cause of pain. The doctor will assess the patient’s range of motion, grip strength, and any areas of tenderness or swelling in the wrist. Imaging via X-rays, MRI or ultrasound may be used to confirm a diagnosis, especially if a fracture, ligament tear, or nerve compression is suspected.
For nerve-related issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, a nerve conduction study (NCS) or electromyography (EMG) may be conducted to assess the functionality of the median nerve. This can help differentiate between arthritis, repetitive strain injuries, or specific tendon and nerve issues.
Conventional treatments for wrist pain depend on the specific diagnosis. In cases of arthritis, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, or physical therapy are commonly recommended to manage pain and improve joint mobility.
For fractures, immobilization with a cast or splint is typically required, and surgery may be necessary for more severe breaks. Repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis or De Quervain’s tenosynovitis often respond to rest, ergonomic modifications, and anti-inflammatory treatments.
Physical therapy exercises to strengthen and stretch the affected muscles and tendons can be helpful. In cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist splints are often used to keep the wrist in a neutral position, particularly at night, and corticosteroid injections may be administered, aimed to reduce inflammation.
If these methods do not relieve symptoms, surgical intervention, such as carpal tunnel release, might be recommended to decompress the median nerve.
While typical treatment usually involves pain medication, rest, and possibly physical therapy, acupuncture treatment can be an excellent adjunct or alternative treatment to relieve wrist pain.
Can Acupuncture Help Wrist Pain?

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can offer natural pain relief for injuries and chronic pain conditions, by reducing pain and inflammation, improving circulation, and supporting the body’s healing process.
According to TCM theory, the health of the internal organ systems is related to the rest of the body parts. For example, the spleen is responsible for transforming Qi and blood. If the spleen is weak, it can cause blockages in blood flow that create stasis, stiffness and pain in the limbs and joints. The liver governs the tendons of the body. When the liver is not functioning well, often due to emotional stress, than there may be pain and dysfunction in the tendons and joints.
Therefore, an acupuncturist does not only treat the painful area, but also looks at the deeper root cause and addresses them with acupuncture treatment, Chinese herbs, and other therapeutic modalities, to help relieve pain and inflammation and bring about healing.
A systematic review of trials showed that acupuncture treatment led to significant pain reduction for patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis affecting the wrist. It also concluded that acupuncture brought about pain relief and functional improvement for patients with tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
One study separated patients with carpal tunnel syndrome into two groups: one group received pain medication for wrist pain and the other group had 12 acupuncture treatments. Comparatively, the acupuncture group had greater reduction in pain, tingling, and numbness and greater functional improvement.
Studies of MRI results after acupuncture have suggested that acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome actually has a positive impact on nerve function in the wrist and changes the way the brain and nerves are signaling pain.
A trial involving patients treated for De Quervain’s disease tenosynovitis with five acupuncture sessions over the course of two weeks showed improvement in pain and grip strength, and the results were still maintained at a ten week follow up visit.
The combination of acupuncture and moxibustion can be particularly helpful for treating Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
Overall, the evidence shows that acupuncture and other TCM modalities can be a relatively low cost, non-invasive way of helping to treat wrist pain, without surgery or the unwanted side effects of pain medications or steroid injections.
Acupuncture Near Me for Wrist Pain in Los Angeles
Dr. Tan and Dr. Cai at Art of Wellness in West L.A. have over 35 years of experience helping people recover from sports injuries, repetitive stress injuries, and orthopedic pain conditions of all kinds. Acupuncture treatment for wrist pain can be used in addition to your medical protocol to help speed recovery and bring about pain relief.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.
How to Treat Cervical Radiculopathy With Acupuncture and TCM
By Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D.

Neck pain? Stiff neck? These could be signs of cervical radiculopathy caused by a pinched nerve in neck. Acupuncture and TCM can provide neck pain relief and address the underlying causes of cervical radiculopathy.
Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in the neck becomes compressed or irritated where it branches away from the spinal cord. This is often referred to as a “pinched nerve.” This condition can lead to neck pain, weakness, and other symptoms not only in the neck but radiating into the arms and hands as well.
Cervical radiculopathy can be caused by several different factors, most of which involve some form of nerve compression in the neck.
One of the most common causes is a herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc in neck, or bulging disc in neck. This happens when the gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes out through a crack in the tougher exterior, putting pressure on a nearby nerve root. This can happen due to injury or degeneration over time.
Cervical spondylosis, also known as neck arthritis or cervical osteoarthritis, is a common age-related condition that affects the joints and discs in your neck. As the discs and cartilage between the cervical vertebrae wear down, this can cause neck pain and stiffness.
Degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are also common causes of a pinched nerve in neck. As we age, the spinal discs lose water content and shrink, leading to decreased cushioning between the vertebrae. This can cause the bones to rub against each other and lead to the formation of bone spurs, which can press on nerves and cause radiculopathy.
Another potential cause is spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spaces within the spine. Lumbar spinal stenosis can result from a variety of factors, including thickened ligaments or overgrown bones, and leads to pinching or compression of the nerve roots as they exit the spinal column.
Additionally, trauma or injury to the neck, such as from car accidents or sports injuries, can directly damage the vertebrae or discs and result in a pinched nerve.
In more rare cases, tumors or infections in the spine may also cause cervical radiculopathy by compressing nerve roots.
Top 5 Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy

Pain in the neck and shoulders and headache are the most common symptoms associated with cervical radiculopathy. Poor reflexes and muscle weakness can also occur with a pinched nerve in the neck.
- Neck and shoulder pain – sharp or burning pain that starts in the neck and may radiate down the shoulder, arm, and hand
- Neck Stiffness – difficulty turning or moving the neck, neck muscle pain, muscle spasm in neck
- Numbness or Tingling in the shoulder, arms, or hands due to nerve compression.
- Muscle weakness in the arms or hands, trouble gripping or lifting objects.
- Neck pain and headache, headache that starts with neck pain
Diagnosis and Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy
Diagnosing cervical radiculopathy can be challenging because its symptoms—such as neck pain, numbness, or tingling radiating down the arm—can overlap with other conditions like muscle strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, or even heart problems.
The complexity of nerve pathways makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact location and cause of nerve compression based on symptoms alone. The pain can vary in intensity, and some patients may not experience obvious arm symptoms, leading to confusion in initial assessments.
Western medicine typically relies on a combination of clinical evaluation and diagnostic imaging to confirm cervical radiculopathy.
During the clinical evaluation, a doctor will perform a physical examination, testing the strength, reflexes, and range of motion in the neck and arms. A Spurling’s test, where the head is turned and pressure is applied to the top of the head, may be used to reproduce symptoms and help localize the nerve root affected.
To confirm the diagnosis, imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs are often used to visualize the spine and detect any structural issues, like herniated discs or bone spurs, that could be compressing the nerve roots. An electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction study may also be performed to assess how well the nerves are functioning and to rule out other conditions affecting nerve function.
Conventional treatments for cervical radiculopathy, or treating a pinched nerve, generally focus on reducing pain, managing inflammation, and restoring normal function.
NSAID medications like ibuprofen or naproxen are usually recommended to reduce pain and inflammation around the pinched nerve. Corticosteroid injections may be used to reduce inflammation around the nerve root and offer temporary relief. Muscle relaxers may be prescribed to ease muscle spasms and reduce pressure on the pinched nerve.
Physical therapy exercises designed to improve neck mobility and strengthen supporting muscles, can potentially help relieve nerve compression. Using cervical traction devices to gently stretch the neck and reduce pressure on the affected nerve may be helpful in some cases.
In severe cases where non-surgical treatments don’t work, surgical options may be recommended to relieve pressure on the nerve by removing or repairing the affected disc or vertebra.
Acupuncture can be an effective modality for treating neck pain and stiffness due to cervical radiculopathy, without the unwanted side effects of taking pain medications and muscle relaxants.
Can Acupuncture Help Cervical Radiculopathy?

Acupuncture offers an alternative for patients suffering from neck pain who want to avoid surgery and the side effects of medication. Acupuncture treatment stimulates the body’s natural healing processes and alleviates pain by influencing the nervous system, reducing inflammation, and improving blood circulation to affected areas.
Acupuncture functions in multiple ways to help relieve nerve compression pain. It can help reduce swelling, or edema, that contribute to nerve compression. It also helps to relax muscle spasms. Acupuncture helps to increase blood flow to nerve roots.
Studies have shown that acupuncture can yield favorable outcomes, often comparable to conventional drug therapies. For instance, one randomized clinical trial found that acupuncture provided similar pain relief to drug therapy, making it a viable, safer alternative for pain management in cervical radiculopathy patients.
Additionally, some research has demonstrated the benefits of combining acupuncture with other conservative treatments, like cervical manipulations, to enhance therapeutic outcomes. In clinical trials, this combination has proven effective in reducing pain and improving mobility.
Acupuncture, used to complement other modalities, can be used as a valuable tool in the management of cervical radiculopathy, offering an effective, low-risk option to relieve pain and restore better mobility.
One case study of a patient with a C6/7 disc prolapse and radiculopathy showed that over a course of six acupuncture sessions administered within four weeks, significant improvements were observed in both pain and range of motion. Pain levels dropped from 8/10 to 2/10.
Acupuncture Near Me for Cervical Radiculopathy in West L.A.
At Art of Wellness Acupuncture and TCM in West Los Angeles, we have over 35 years of experience helping people find relief from all types of pain conditions related to nerve compression and neck pain, including herniated disks, spinal stenosis, cervical spondylosis, and cervical radiculopathy. Dr. Tan and Dr. Cai provide specialized care for each individual patient, including herbal remedies, therapeutic Chinese massage, and electroacupuncture to help relieve pain.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.