TCM Pain Relief for Back, Neck & Wrist in Singapore

In Singapore, the fast-paced contemporary lifestyle has resulted in a rising number of individuals experiencing chronic pain that has transformed into a constant companion to modern living.

At Liang Yi TCM, we offer Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches to alleviate pain symptoms and address underlying imbalances. Patients often come to us for types of pain that are commonly associated with TCM, such as back pain and wrist pain, and we do see a wide range of pain areas that can be addressed with TCM therapies.

Here is how TCM views pain in the body and the strategies it employs to restore balance in the body.

TCM’s Perspective on Pain Remedy: The Function of Qi

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views pain not merely as a symptom, but often as the result of a disturbed energy flow. Qi, the vital energy TCM physicians believe supports good health, should flow freely to maintain balance in the body. Pain arises when vital substances, such as Qi and blood, are blocked or in short supply. Whether it is stiffness, bloating, numbness, or sharp discomfort, these indicate that Qi and blood are not flowing smoothly.

Take wrist pain, for instance, which is often seen among office workers. The pain might feel local, but TCM reminds us to look at the bigger picture. The shoulder, not the wrist, may be the origin point. Repetitive stress from typing not only affects the hands but causes a chain reaction of tightness up through the shoulder blades and neck, especially if you have poor posture.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: More Than Meets the Eye

Compared to modern Western medicine, which focuses on pain symptoms, TCM takes a more holistic approach. At Liang Yi TCM, we assess your symptoms and evaluate your constitution, emotional state, lifestyle, and environmental factors to determine the most effective treatment approach.

Our TCM physicians do not focus solely on your pain; we also ask:

What is your body posture saying?
How is your sleep?
Are you unknowingly holding stress in your shoulders?

We examine your tongue, feel your pulse, and observe your movement. These signs help us determine whether your pain is caused by internal cold, stagnation, or weak circulation. We also consider your daily lifestyle because poor habits, such as hunching over your laptop or skipping breaks, can cause various complications.

Neck and shoulder pain frequently stems from overworked muscles, such as the levator scapulae, rhomboids, and subscapularis, typically due to poor desk setup. Left unchecked, the tension builds up in the trapezius, pulling on the scalp and triggering migraines. You may not think your screen height is a problem, but your body knows.

How TCM Helps Relieve Pain — Techniques That Make a Difference

1. Acupuncture: Getting Your Body’s Energy Flowing Again

Acupuncture is one of the most recognised TCM pain relief modalities. In TCM, it is believed that acupuncture not only restores Qi but may also promote the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, reducing physical pain and mental stress. Acupuncture uses fine, sterile needles inserted into specific acupoints to stimulate meridians and treat stagnation. At Liang Yi TCM, we frequently treat:

Wrist sprains using points along the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, such as Yangxi 阳溪 (LI5) and Lieque 列缺 (LU7).
- Many patients with “typing wrist pain” don’t realise their shoulders are raised all day long while working. That tension builds from the shoulder down, compressing nerves and tightening tendons. We often release the shoulder first, and only then does the wrist start to loosen.
Frozen shoulder (TCM) with a combination of Jianyu 肩髃 (LI15) and Ashi points for local pain relief.
- Frozen shoulder? Typically, it is not solely a single stiff joint. The culprit may be deep-set tightness in muscles like the subscapularis, which is difficult to stretch manually. Acupuncture reaches those hidden layers to reduce pain from the inside out.
Chronic lower back pain using distal points like Weizhong 委中 (BL40) and Huantiao 环跳 (GB30).
- Office workers we treat usually complain that their backs “lock” after long hours of sitting. It may be muscle tightness near the sacrum and buttocks pulling on the spine. By releasing Huantiao and surrounding points, acupuncture helps ease that tension, supporting better alignment and mobility over time.

2. Cupping Therapy: Decompressing Muscle Tension

Cupping therapy uses suction to draw blood to the surface, relax tight muscles, and clear stagnant Qi. It is a TCM approach to back pain and postural imbalances common among office workers. Many office workers come in with stiff lower backs. Often, their erector spinae muscles, which help keep us upright, are overworked from too much sitting.

When these muscles become too tight, simple movements like twisting your torso can cause the sacrum to become misaligned. As a result, sciatica causes pain that shoots down your leg as the sciatic nerve, which passes near the sacrum, becomes pinched. Cupping helps relieve that deep tension and improves mobility.

TCM may also apply cupping along the Urinary Bladder meridian on the back to target lumbar stiffness, shoulder tightness, or even upper back knots caused by hunching over screens. For wrist issues or muscle fatigue, cupping improves microcirculation and reduces inflammation.

3. Moxibustion: Warming Therapy for Cold-Related Pain

Many chronic pain conditions, such as frozen shoulder, arthritis, or menstrual cramps, are due to internal Cold and Dampness obstructing the meridians. Moxibustion, the practice of burning dried mugwort (moxa) near acupuncture points, is used to warm the body and invigorate the flow of Qi and blood.

At Liang Yi TCM, we often combine moxibustion with acupuncture for patients whose symptoms worsen in cold, damp weather. It may help seniors and even younger people with weak constitutions and persistent joint pain.

4. Guasha: Scraping for Circulation and Pain Relief

Guasha, while popular for facial beauty routines, also plays a significant role in TCM pain relief. A smooth-edged tool scrapes along muscles and meridians, relieving tension and improving circulation. It is often used for neck pain, particularly among individuals working desk jobs.

Repeated poor posture causes the fascia, the thin tissue surrounding the muscles, to tighten. Over time, it pulls upward, contributing not only to neck and upper back pain but also headaches and even facial tension.

A study in Pain Medicine (2011) suggested Guasha may be helpful for TCM neck pain, especially in individuals with chronic stiffness or migraines.

Common Pains We See And Treat

Neck & Shoulder Tension

With headaches and migraines, it often begins with the tight levator scapulae and rhomboids, exacerbated by poor desk posture. This leads to a tight trapezius, pulling on the scalp and triggering migraines.

Lower Back Pain

Long hours of sitting overwork the erector spinae, leading to stiffness and sacrum misalignment. This pinches the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica that travels down the leg.

Leg Swelling and Oedema

Sitting too long allows blood to pool in the legs. When fascia tightens around a misaligned spine, drainage becomes even more difficult, leading to increased swelling.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Repetitive typing can cause scar tissue to form around the transverse carpal ligament, compressing the median nerve. Symptoms include tingling and numbness in the fingers.

Chronic Stress

Prolonged stress keeps your nervous system in a state of fight-or-flight, leading to poor sleep, bloating, and indigestion.

Choose Liang Yi TCM for Pain Management in Singapore

Whether you are dealing with back pain, recovering from a sprained wrist, or seeking relief from a frozen shoulder, our team at Liang Yi TCM can help. Book an appointment today!