Neck pain is a common occurrence in many people across the world. Those who suffer from neck pain can obtain more effective relief from chiropractic care.
People who experience neck pain frequently report having the following symptoms:
Chiropractic neck adjustment referred to as cervical manipulation, is used by Tacoma chiropractic care givers to loosen the joints of cervical vertebrae around neck region reducing neck pain.
Some types of neck pain that can be treated using chiropractic care include the following:
The neck is flexible and can move the head in many directions. Because of this flexibility, the neck is very highly susceptible to injury. Majority of causes of neck pain include:
All these cause the vertebrae to shift from the usual natural alignment resulting into a painful neck.
Discomfort caused by neck pain if untreated can permeate throughout the body causing serious pain in the arms.
Prolonged neck pains can cause:
Chiropractic care givers can help by relaxing the muscles, repositioning the bones, and relieving the pressure exerted on the nerves.
Experiencing acute or chronic neck pain, discomfort or stiffness will require the help of a chiropractic care giver.
To comprehensively diagnose specific cause related to your neck pain, a chiropractor will:
A chiropractor will follow these steps to get a better understanding of your body mechanics. The diagnostic process can enable a chiropractor to create a personalized treatment plan for your neck condition.
After diagnosis of the cause of the neck pain, your chiropractor will create a program of treatment plan that may include combining several types of treatment options, depending on the necessity of personal needs. Cervical manipulation aside, your treatment plan may consist of mobilization, rehabilitative exercises or massaging.
Your chiropractor will take time to take you through the possible treatment options after diagnosis so that you are aware of what will be happening in the course of your treatment.
And if your chiropractic care giver believes that your neck pain can be better treated through surgery, then you are more likely to be referred to a spinal surgeon.
Chiropractor care givers can help in adjusting the neck through what is referred to as cervical manipulation by loosening up joints of cervical vertebrae around the neck region.
A chiropractor may also opt to use manual therapy as part of the treatment plan for the neck pain in addition to other techniques.
Chiropractic care givers use their hands in manipulating the neck and placing the vertebrae back into its natural alignment.
Spinal manipulation technique may include the following:
According to a 2019 study Lohman et al. (2019) revealed the potential of cervical spine manipulation in the treatment of neck pain.
Manual therapy technique may include the following:
Other therapies that a chiropractor may consider using to ease your neck pains include:
In addition, a chiropractor may also educate you on stress management skills and appropriate nutritional diet to follow as well as lifestyle goals after treating your neck pain.
Chiropractic care doctors are conservative; the scope of their practice doesn’t include the use of surgery or drugs in treating patients suffering from neck pain.
If your chiropractor’s diagnosis of your condition falls outside the accepted conservative scope, that may indicate existence of organic disease or neck fracture; you will be referred to an appropriate medical specialist or physician. Your chiropractor may also request for permission to liaise with your family physician regarding the on-going chiropractic care to ensure a properly coordinated chiropractic care and medical care.
The use of over-the-counter pain medications can be addictive. However, the best alternative to prescribed medications for patients with neck pain is to engage the services of a licensed chiropractor.
The goal of a chiropractor is to relieve your neck pain and improve its functioning. Chiropractors don’t do surgery or prescribe drugs. They manipulate your spine or adjust body structure to proper alignment. A properly aligned body ensures better chances of the body healing itself overtime.
Licensed chiropractors are qualified enough to safely administer non-invasive, non-addictive spinal adjustments to your neck as the best alternative to prescribed medications to patients suffering from neck pain.
Chiropractic adjustment has been hailed by research as one of the best ways to treat neck pains. According to a study published in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) by Haneline and Cooperstein (2009) showed improvement of patients suffering from neck pain who underwent chiropractic treatment.
The circumstances that precipitated your neck pain will dictate the duration that chiropractic treatment plan will take. Patients experiencing neck pain caused by auto related accidents, injuries sustained in the course of participating in sports or arthritis are likely in need of long-term care. While patients experiencing neck pain due to pinched nerve or postural issues may be in need of a short-term chiropractic care.
The only way to determine the length of chiropractic care is to visit a chiropractor for consultation, x-rays and palpations.
Chiropractic care can provide patients suffering from neck pain with the following benefits:
Chiropractic spinal adjustments can significantly reduce misalignments and associated inflammation. This can improve functioning of affected nervous system and joints and reduce discomfort experienced in the neck.