Case Study: Neck Pain in 42 Year Old Female

Case Study: Managing C7 Herniated Disc Pain with Acupuncture and Manual Therapy Patient Background A 43-year-old female artist presented with severe right-sided neck, shoulder, arm, and hand pain due to a C7-T1 herniated disc with bone spurs. Her physician recommended surgery, but the wait time was approximately seven weeks. She sought acupuncture as a way to manage pain in the interim, improve function, and potentially avoid surgery. Symptoms & Initial Presentation

  • Pain Level: 8/10, constant
  • Pain Quality: Achy, dull, stiff, with tingling and numbness radiating down the arm
  • Functional Limitations: Difficulty sleeping, could only lie on her back; struggled with daily tasks due to arm pain
  • Grip Weakness: Difficulty holding objects, particularly her paintbrush, making it hard to continue her work as an artist
  • Medication Use: Occasional oxycodone for sleep
  • Physical Exam Findings:
    • Tenderness below C7-T1
    • Limited range of motion (20-degree rotation)
    • No severe muscle spasms
    • Significant weakness in right hand grip strength

Treatment Plan & Approach Objective: Reduce inflammation and pain, improve circulation, restore grip strength, and maintain function to avoid or better prepare for potential surgery.

  • Acupuncture Protocol:
    • Local and distal points to promote Qi and blood flow (GB20, BL10, SI9-15, LI15, Ashi points)
    • Heat lamp therapy for circulation
    • Manual needle stimulation at midpoint of treatment
    • Electroacupuncture to stimulate nerve function and improve grip strength
    • Cupping therapy on neck, upper back, and shoulder for muscle release
    • Infrared therapy for deep tissue relaxation
  • Frequency: 2x per week for 7 weeks, then reassess

Results & Progress 📌 Week 1-2: ✅ Immediate relief after first treatment, with reduced muscle tension ✅ Still experiencing nerve pain, but sleeping improved slightly ✅ Grip strength still weak but beginning to show improvement 📌 Week 3-4: ✅ Able to sleep on her side occasionally ✅ Noticed less pain in upper back but continued nerve symptoms in the hand ✅ Shoulder tightened after poor sleep and increased physical activity ✅ Grip strength improving, could hold paintbrush for longer periods 📌 Week 5-6: ✅ Marked improvement in pain and function ✅ Reduction in radiating symptoms; only mild tingling in hand ✅ Surgeon determined surgery was no longer necessary if progress was maintained ✅ Grip strength restored, patient resumed painting with minimal difficulty 📌 Week 7+ (Maintenance Phase): ✅ Patient reported feeling “great”—no radiating pain, just occasional weakness in grip ✅ Shifted to 1x/week acupuncture + monthly massage for long-term management ✅ Able to work comfortably as an artist with no issues Conclusion & Takeaways

  • Acupuncture, electroacupuncture, cupping, and infrared therapy significantly reduced pain and inflammation, improved mobility, and ultimately prevented the need for surgery.
  • Combining treatment with lifestyle adjustments (better sleep, mindful activity modification) enhanced long-term relief.
  • Electroacupuncture played a key role in restoring grip strength, allowing the patient to return to her work as an artist.
  • Early intervention with acupuncture and manual therapies can be a powerful alternative to surgery for certain disc-related pain conditions.

Final Outcome: Patient was extremely satisfied with her results and continues with occasional maintenance care, fully able to work without pain or limitations.