Overview
Neck sprain due to improper position of sleep takes neck pain and limitation of movement as the main symptom. It is included in "pain on the neck" in TCM. The pain is mainly caused by invasion of the wind-cold pathogen on the meridians due to improper sleeping position or unsuitable height of the pillow; or caused by pare produced by obstruction of meridians due to injury or sprains of the neck which leading to stagnation of qi and blood. It is treated by relaxing muscles and tendons and dredging the meridians, activating the blood circulation and alleviating pain.

Treatment
1. Laozhen Point (EX-UE8)
Acupuncture therapy with the filiform needle is applicable. If the pare exists on the left side, puncture the point on the back of the right hand, and vice versa. If the pain exists on bilateral sides, both of the points are selected. A 1 cun filiform needle is inserted quickly, and the point should be stimulated strongly by lifting and thrusting method. Meanwhile ask the patient to move the head upwards, downwards, to left and to right. The treatment is applied once each day. The needle is retained for 10 minutes.

2. Houxi (SI 3)
Ask the patient to make a loose fist naturally, puncture the point 0.8 cun perpendicularly with a filiform needle. After getting arrival of qi, reducing method by lifting and thrusting the needle is applied for 1-3 minutes. Meanwhile ask the patient to move the head to left and to right, until the patient feel relaxed and the pain alleviated or disappeared. Withdraw the needle slowly, do not press the needle hole. Electrotherapy is applicable, and make sure that the patients could bear the intensity, 15-20 minutes each time.

3. Xuanzhong (GB 39)
Ask the patient to sit on the chair, relax the whole body's muscles, and expose the points. After routine sterilization, puncture the bilateral GB39 perpendicularly or obliquely upward 1.5-1.8 cun with 2 cun filiform needles. According to the constitution, strong or medium stimulation is applied, until the sensation of sour, tingling, distending and heaviness is obtained obviously. When manipulation or retention is done, ask the patients to move the head forwards, backwards, to left and to right, the range of movement should be improved gradually. Or the cupping therapy on the Ashi point of the neck can be combined with.

Note
Acupuncture therapy has the effect of alleviating spastic pain and shortening the course for this disease, it is an ideal treatment on clinic. Usually therapeutic efficacy could be got after acupuncture once or twice. Combination the acupuncture therapy with activities of the neck is critical for getting curative effect.