Treating the Longus Colli with Needle Therapy: Relieving Deep Neck Pain at Its Source
What Is the Longus Colli?
The longus colli is a deep neck flexor muscle that runs along the front of your cervical spine. Its job is to help stabilize and support the neck during movement and posture.
When this muscle becomes tight, inhibited, or overloaded—often due to poor posture, whiplash, or hours at a computer—it can lead to:
Deep, internal neck pain
Stiffness when turning or tilting the head
Pain radiating into the throat or behind the eyes
Headaches, jaw tension, or upper shoulder discomfort
Because the longus colli sits deep beneath other muscles, traditional massage or stretching usually can’t reach it effectively. That’s where needle therapy offers a unique advantage.
How Needle Therapy Helps
Dry needling and acupuncture can target the longus colli precisely, helping release tension and restore healthy movement patterns. Using fine, sterile needles, we can safely access this deep structure to:
Reduce muscle tightness and spasm
Improve blood flow and healing
Rebalance the neck’s stabilizing system
Relieve referred pain and tension headaches
Many patients notice improvements such as:
✅ Increased range of motion
✅ Less neck stiffness
✅ Better posture and head control
✅ Relief from deep or “hidden” neck discomfort
Why Treating the Deep Neck Flexors Matters
It’s easy to focus on surface muscles like the trapezius or levator scapulae, but if the deep stabilizers like the longus colli are weak or tight, the outer muscles are forced to overwork.
This creates a cycle of chronic tension and fatigue.
By restoring balance to the deep neck flexors, needle therapy helps create long-term stability—not just temporary relief.
What to Expect During Treatment
During treatment, I use precise needle techniques guided by your symptoms and what I palpate (feel). You may feel a mild, deep ache or a small twitch as the muscle releases, followed by a sense of lightness or improved mobility.
Is This Right for You?
If you’re dealing with chronic neck pain, tension headaches, or stiffness that hasn’t responded to other methods, targeting the longus colli with needle therapy may be the missing piece.
At River Falls Dry Needling and Acupuncture, my goal is to identify and treat the true source of pain—helping you move and feel your best.