Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain 101
Are you dealing with neck pain or know someone close to you who is battling with neck pain? Well I can assure you; you are far from alone. In fact, it is estimated that acute or chronic neck pain affects anywhere from 16-75% of people in some areas of the world. (1)
In America, the most common causes of neck pain stems from our sedentary and technology-heavy lifestyle. Most of us sit all day and look at computer screens or mobile devices for the majority of our days. Then we go home and look at television screens or spend more time on phones and tablets. If you’re having hard time visualizing this, take note of how your head and neck posture is while reading this. You probably just sat up a little bit taller, didn’t you?
WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN?
Your neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. Your cervical spine supports the full weight of your head, which weighs about 12 pounds on average. Because the neck is very flexible and can move your head in virtually every direction, it is highly susceptible to pain and injury.
Some common causes of neck pain include:
· Pinched nerves
· Osteoarthritis
· Herniated discs
· Bone spurs
· Worn joints
· Muscle strains, often from postural deviations
· Prior Injuries, such as from sports or auto accidents
CAN CHIROPRACTORS TREAT NECK PAIN?
Chiropractic neck adjustments, called cervical manipulation, are utilized to increase the mobility of the joints of the cervical vertebrae in the neck. This can reduce pain caused by pinched nerves, muscle spasms, strains and other contributing factors. It also improves our sense of proprioception (awareness of our position in space) of the neck and head, which can improve our balance and coordination.
Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related wear and tear.
Chiropractors use their hands to manipulate the neck and place the vertebrae back into alignment, combatting the effects of posture and other factors.
Sometimes, neck pain isn’t just local. Discomfort from causes such as pinched nerves can radiate throughout the shoulder and down the arm. Chiropractors can help relieve these pains by repositioning the bones, relaxing the muscles, and reducing the pressure on nerves.
In conjunction with your chiropractic treatment plan, continual stretching and home exercises can ensure your neck pain stays at bay. Soft tissue massage can also loosen muscle knots in the neck and shoulders to relieve pain. The right combination of these therapies prescribed at the right time, can deliver the best results at reducing pain and restoring natural function in the neck.
IS CHIROPRACTIC SAFE FOR NECK PAIN?
Licensed chiropractors can safely administer spinal adjustments to the neck. Routine chiropractic care can provide you with a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to patients to help them manage their pain.
Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body, which can reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. This gives your body the ability to better manage the discomfort in the neck.
Research shows that patients with chronic neck pain enrolled in clinical trials reported significant improvement following chiropractic adjustments. As part of a literature review published in the March/April 2007 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, researchers reviewed nine previously published trials and found high-quality evidence that patients with chronic neck pain showed significant pain-level improvements following spinal manipulation. Additionally, all groups showed positive changes up to 12 weeks post-treatment. (2)
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR FOR NECK PAIN?
Your chiropractic treatment plan will always depend on your particular situation. Patients who experience neck pain due to auto accidents, sports injuries or arthritis may need long-term care, whereas patients who experience neck pain from postural issues or a pinched nerve may only need short-term care. One of the most common determinants of care is length of time with symptoms, and history or prior injuries. These
The obvious way to determine this is to have a quality, thorough evaluation and consultation with a qualified Chiropractor. This usually involves a detailed history, physical examination, and potential imaging (often via an X-Ray or other Advanced Imaging).
After this, your chiropractor should explain all of the findings and results with you to help you understand WHY you are experiencing pain!
If you experience neck pain, discomfort or stiffness, call us at (858-215-4485) or request an appointment online here!
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