WHAT ARE YOU
FEELING?
101 common symptoms organized by body region. Discover the muscular or neurological cause and how medical acupuncture can help. Curated by the CEIMEC team of physicians.
Head and Face
Clicking, Popping, and Locking of the Jaw (TMD)
Electroacupuncture for pterygoids and masseter in the treatment of TMD
Waking Up with a Headache and Tired Jaw
Acupuncture and Botox for sleep bruxism and morning headache
Tooth Pain Without a Dental Cause
Acupuncture for trigger points in the masseter and temporalis that refer dental pain
"Band-Like" Tightening Pain Around the Head
How dry needling of the suboccipitals and trapezius relieves tension headache
Pain Behind the Eye from Cervical Trigger Points
How cervical trigger points refer ocular pain and how acupuncture resolves it
Pain Behind the Eye and at the Back of the Neck
The role of cervical trigger points in cervicogenic headache
Pain at the Back of the Neck Rising to the Top of the Head
Treatment of the occipital nerves (Arnold neuralgia) with electroacupuncture
Pain in the Face and Forehead (False Sinusitis)
Deactivation of facial and cervical trigger points that simulate sinusitis
Ear Ringing and "Plugged Ear" Sensation
Neuromodulation of the masseter and SCM for somatosensory tinnitus
Severe Migraine with Sensitivity to Light and Sound
Cranial and cervical neuromodulation for migraine attack prevention
Involuntary Daytime Tooth Clenching
Awareness training and electroacupuncture for awake bruxism
Pain and Fatigue When Chewing Hard Foods
Deep relaxation of masticatory muscles in severe TMD
Intense, Brief Electric-Shock Pain in the Face
Trigeminal nerve neuromodulation for control of facial neuropathic pain
Headache That Worsens with Computer Use
Acupuncture for visual fatigue and deactivation of cervical trigger points
Headache After Physical Exercise or the Gym
Acupuncture for exertion headache and deactivation of post-workout cervical trigger points
Constant Burning in the Mouth, Tongue, or Gums
Acupuncture for relief of Burning Mouth Syndrome
Numbness and Tingling in the Face or Lips
Trigeminal neuromodulation and deactivation of cervicofacial trigger points
Jaw Pain When Yawning or Opening the Mouth Wide
Treatment of pterygoids and articular disc for painful limitation of mouth opening
Pain on Swallowing with Normal Throat Exams
Dry needling of the digastric and pterygoid muscles that simulate odynophagia
Sensation of a "Lump" in the Throat (Globus Pharyngeus)
Cervical and hyoid acupuncture for cervical tension affecting swallowing
Neck and Cervical
Dizziness, Tinnitus, and Vertigo Associated with Neck Pain
Treatment of the sternocleidomastoid for cervicogenic symptoms
Neck Pain That Locks Up (Constant Torticollis)
Deactivating the levator scapulae with acupuncture to release the cervical spine
Sensation of a Painful "Knot" or "Ball" in the Shoulder/Neck
The science of deactivating the taut band with acupuncture and dry needling
Heaviness in the Shoulders and Stiff Neck
Myofascial treatment for chronic tension in the shoulder girdle
Constant Cervical Pain After a Car Accident (Whiplash)
Treatment of cervical trauma (whiplash) with neuromodulation
Stiffness and Neck Pain on Waking Every Morning
Treatment of the suboccipitals and levator scapulae for morning cervical stiffness
Neck and Shoulder Pain When Driving for Long Periods
Treatment of the upper trapezius and scalenes for postural pain at the wheel
Neck Spasm and Pain When Looking Up (Cervical Extension)
Treatment of the suboccipitals and cervical semispinalis for extension intolerance
Shoulder and Arm
Elbow Pain Radiating to the Forearm with Grip Weakness
Neuromodulation for the supinator and extensors — lateral epicondylitis
Numbness in the Arm and Hand While Sleeping
Treating scalene compression with dry needling (carpal-tunnel mimic)
Numbness and Tingling in the Fingers
Acupuncture for carpal tunnel and differential diagnosis of paresthesia
Sharp Shoulder Pain When Raising the Arm or Putting on a Shirt
Electroacupuncture for the supraspinatus and infraspinatus
Tingling in the Fingers That Worsens with Cold or Stress
Acupuncture for cervicobrachial tension and scalene compression
Shoulder Pain That Prevents Sleeping on the Side (False Bursitis)
Treatment of the infraspinatus and teres minor with dry needling
Wrist Pain When Holding a Baby or Phone
Acupuncture for De Quervain tenosynovitis and thumb tendons
Pain at the Base of the Thumb When Pinching or Opening Jars
Dry needling for thenar muscles and relief of basal thumb arthritis
Finger That Locks or Snaps When Closing the Hand
Acupuncture in the forearm flexors for trigger finger
Pain Radiating to the Armpit and Inner Arm
Deactivation of the serratus anterior and subscapularis muscles
Pain on the Inner Side of the Elbow (Golfer Elbow)
Neuromodulation of the wrist flexors and pronators — medial epicondylitis
Sensation of a Heavy, Cold, Tingling Arm
Acupuncture for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and the scalenes
Cramps and Spasms in the Hands When Writing or Typing
Acupuncture for writer cramp and focal dystonia
Stiff Shoulder That Prevents Raising the Arm
Joint and myofascial release for Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)
Wrist Stiffness and Pain Months After a Fracture
Neurofunctional rehabilitation for chronic post-immobilization pain
Pain and Swelling in the Finger Joints on Waking
Anti-inflammatory acupuncture to control symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Hand and Thumb Pain from Hours of Phone Use
Acupuncture for thumb tendinitis and text-thumb syndrome from smartphone use
Shoulder Pain When Swimming or Doing Overhead Exercises
Treatment of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers for swimmer shoulder
Wrist Pain When Doing Push-Ups, Bench Press, or Weight Training
Acupuncture for overload of the wrist extensors and stabilizers in gym athletes
Spine and Trunk
Back Pain That Worsens with Deep Breathing
Dry needling of the erector spinae and rhomboids for respiratory thoracic pain
Deep Lower-Back Pain When Standing Up from a Chair
The critical role of the quadratus lumborum and iliopsoas in postural low back pain
Lower-Back Pain That Worsens with Prolonged Sitting
Deactivation of the iliopsoas and quadratus lumborum with acupuncture
Stabbing Chest Pain / False Heart Attack
Acupuncture in the pectorals and intercostals for musculoskeletal chest pain
Sternum Pain When Breathing or Coughing
Acupuncture for costochondritis and tension in the sternocostal joints
Burning Between the Shoulder Blades (in the Back)
Deep dry needling of the rhomboids and middle trapezius
Chronic Abdominal Pain Without a Gastric Cause
Electroacupuncture for the abdominal wall and the Carnett sign
Feeling That the Spine "Will Break" When Standing
Myofascial stabilization of the multifidus and treatment of the lumbar core
Sharp Rib Pain When Coughing, Laughing, or Sneezing
Dry needling of the intercostal and oblique abdominal muscles
Sensation of Shortness of Breath without Cardiac or Pulmonary Cause
Release of the diaphragm and accessory respiratory muscles with acupuncture
Chest Tightness and Thoracic Pain That Worsens with Anxiety
Treatment of pectorals, intercostals, and autonomic modulation for functional chest pain
Thoracic Spine Pain (Mid-Back) from Posture
Dry needling of the thoracic erectors and rhomboids for postural mid-back pain
Mid- and Thoracic Back Pain During Pregnancy
Safe acupuncture for gestational thoracic pain and mid-spine overload
Hip and Pelvis
Lateral Hip Pain When Lying on the Side
Neurofunctional treatment of the gluteus medius (false trochanteric bursitis)
Chronic Pelvic Pain with No Cause on Exams
Dry needling of the pelvic floor and abdomen for myofascial pelvic pain
Groin Pain When Walking or Climbing Slopes
Release of the iliopsoas — the hidden flexor that causes inguinal pain
False Sciatica: Leg Pain with a Normal MRI
Deep dry needling of the piriformis and gluteals for pseudosciatica
Sharp, Stabbing Pain Right in the Middle of the Buttock
Piriformis syndrome and deep gluteal needling for sciatic relief
Testicular or Perineal Pain with No Infectious Cause
Pudendal nerve neuromodulation for chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Severe Menstrual Cramps and Pain Radiating to the Lower Back
Sacral and abdominal neuromodulation for dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain
Tailbone Pain When Sitting
Pelvic and sacral neuromodulation for chronic coccydynia
Deep Pubic Bone Pain When Kicking or Running
Treatment of the adductors and rectus abdominis for pubalgia
Sacrum and Sacroiliac Region Pain When Walking or Turning in Bed
Neuromodulation of the sacroiliac joint and pelvic stabilizing muscles
Pain in the "Sit Bone" When Sitting for Long Periods
Dry needling of the hamstrings and ischial tuberosity (false bursitis)
Pain at the Front of the Hip When Lifting the Leg to Put on Pants
Deep release of the rectus femoris and iliopsoas
Snapping and Catching in the Hip When Walking (Snapping Hip)
Treatment of the iliopsoas and tensor fasciae latae for snapping hip syndrome
Hip Pain Radiating to the Knee Without a Knee Lesion
Hip referred-pain pattern and trigger points in the adductors and TFL
Knee and Leg
Shock-Like Leg Pain When Walking
How acupuncture calms inflammation of the sciatic nerve and relieves radiating pain
Pain Around the Kneecap When Descending Stairs (False Chondromalacia)
Acupuncture in the vastus medialis and lateralis for patellofemoral pain
Shin Pain When Running (False Stress Fracture)
Dry needling for medial tibial stress syndrome and tibialis anterior
Pain Behind the Knee When Squatting or Straightening the Leg
Release of the popliteus and distal hamstrings
Pain on the Outer Side of the Knee During Running
Release of the tensor fasciae latae and Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Leg That "Gives Way" or Loses Strength When Descending Stairs
Chronic muscle inhibition and quadriceps reactivation with electroacupuncture
Calf Pain That Forces You to Stop Walking
Dry needling for trigger points and differential diagnosis of claudication
Terrible Nighttime Calf Cramps
How dry needling and electroacupuncture prevent nighttime episodes
Burning Pain on the Outer Thigh (Tight Clothing)
Treatment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve for meralgia paresthetica
Ankle and Foot
Heel Pain Right on Waking (That Is Not a Heel Spur)
Dry needling of the soleus and calf for referred plantar pain
Sharp Heel Pain on the First Step in the Morning
Dry needling for plantar fasciitis and morning plantar pain
Pain and Stiffness in the Achilles Tendon When Walking
Electroacupuncture for calcaneal tendinopathy and calf release
Lateral Ankle Pain Months After Spraining the Foot
Dry needling of the peroneals and ligaments for chronic residual pain
Shock-Like or Burning Pain Between the Toes
Dry needling and electroacupuncture for relief of Morton neuroma
Pain on the Top of the Foot When Wearing Closed Shoes
Dry needling of the toe extensors and ankle retinaculum
Pain and Stiffness in the Big Toe When Walking (Hallux Rigidus)
Articular acupuncture for pain control in bunions and osteoarthritis
Pain and Burning on the Sole of the Foot When Standing for Long Periods
Dry needling of the intrinsic foot muscles and release of the plantar fascia
Sole Pain When Wearing Flats or Walking Barefoot
Dry needling of the plantar fascia and intrinsic muscles for pain from inadequate footwear
Systemic
Pain That "Changes Location" Across the Body
Central sensitization and systemic neuromodulation with acupuncture
Widespread Pain and Extreme Fatigue (Fibromyalgia Symptoms)
Systemic neuromodulation for autonomic nervous system regulation
Chronic Pain in a Scar After Surgery
Surround-needling technique for scars and release of fascial adhesions
Severe Sciatic and Lower-Back Pain During Pregnancy
Safe acupuncture for analgesia of gestational pelvic and lower-back pain
Uncontrollable Urge to Move the Legs at Night
Systemic acupuncture and neuromodulation for Restless Legs Syndrome
Continuous Skin Burning After a Herpes Zoster Outbreak
Neuromodulation for neuropathic pain and postherpetic neuralgia
Burning and Tingling on the Soles of the Feet at Night
Electroacupuncture for relief of diabetic peripheral neuropathy symptoms
Chronic Widespread Pain Months After COVID
Neuromodulation for musculoskeletal pain and fatigue in post-COVID syndrome
Post-Exercise Muscle Pain That Does Not Subside in Days
Distinguishing DOMS from chronic trigger points and accelerating recovery