Visit Arizona's Family Chiropractic clinic if you need chiropractic treatment for bad neck pain.

How Chiropractic care helps treat Neck Pain

By: Dr. Brice Neff DC

The vertebrae in your neck stretch from the head to the upper torso. Cervical discs cushion trauma between the structures of the neck. The bones and soft tissues of the neck support and allow the head to move freely. When we experience recurring neck pain, it is often due to bad posture or strain. Neck pain is sometimes caused by trauma or whiplash. Often, neck pain isn’t a significant problem that can’t be resolved in a few days. However, neck pain might signify a serious injury that requires chiropractic therapy in other circumstances. Chiropractic treatment can help you control and alleviate the inflammation and tightness exerted by neck pain.

Factors For Neck And Upper Back Pain

A combination of factors causes neck and upper back pain almost all of the time. Injury can occur in conjunction with bad posture, spinal imbalance, mental tension, and/or disc issues:

Whiplash, the quick, hyperextension and then immediate hyperflexion of the head, is a common neck injury. It is most commonly connected with vehicle accidents, although it may also occur when the head sustains thrashing stress while participating in sport. Soft tissues in the neck and upper back are destroyed whenever this occurs, although the full extent of the injury may not be noticed for a while. Whiplash sufferers need to be exceedingly cautious not to exacerbate it, even if they are experiencing no acute symptoms. Dr. Brice Neff DC of Arizona’s Family Chiropractic, may be consulted if chiropractic therapy is required to lessen the symptoms and protect against potentially lasting harm.

Bad posture is a prevalent cause of neck discomfort, and it has also been linked to migraines. Unlike abrupt injuries, which we usually notice, improper posture develops over time and becomes something we accept as ordinary. Regular tasks like studying in bed may lead to problems and discomfort later in life. Anyone who works at a desk for lengthy periods can acquire a forward head posture and spinal displacements. The head needs to be relaxed, the back maintained, the knees somewhat lower than the hips, and the arms supported. Avoid hunching the neck and maintaining the same posture for an extended time. If this is inevitable, attempt to maintain proper posture to avoid issues.

Spinal misalignments are dangerous and may need to be treated quickly. They put a lot of pressure on the body over time, causing all kinds of difficulties in regions that are then compelled to adjust until everything is out of balance and pain ensues. The bulk of spinal misalignments are concentrated in four areas:

  1. The point at which the cervical spine joins the skull
  2. The center of the cervical spine, which bears the majority of the load of the head
  3. The spine’s passage between the cervical and thoracic regions
  4. The thoracic spine’s main section, which bears the majority of the upper body’s weight

Psychological and emotional stress tenses the back and neck muscles. This is a fundamental survival reflex to avoid harm in the face of danger, but it causes injury when it occurs over an extended period. A personalized workout routine and deep breathing/relaxation practices can help you deal with stress.

A herniated or bulging disc compresses the nerves that leave the spine via that location. Lumbar discs are more susceptible to herniation than cervical discs; however, trauma may trigger a herniated cervical or lumbar disc.

Symptoms Of Neck Pain

The following are some indications of neck pain:

  • Headache/migraines
  • Inability to move the head freely
  • Muscle contractions and stiffness
  • Pain that is frequently exacerbated by keeping your head in one position for lengthy periods

How Our Chiropractors Help Neck Pain

Chiropractic therapy is a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to over-the-counter prescription drugs routinely recommended to manage discomfort and inflammation. The following are some of the health benefits that chiropractic therapy and may bring to people suffering from neck pain:

  • Enhanced activities and lifestyle
  • Enhanced joint mobility
  • Increased flexibility
  • Pain and inflammation alleviation

Common Gentle Chiropractic Techniques for Neck Pain

Gentle chiropractic treatments that are widely used to alleviate neck pain include:

Cervical mobilization

In this technique, the patient comfortably lies on their back, as the chiropractor manually adjusts the vertebrae in the neck from side to side. The chiropractor may also switch between the side-to-side movement and apply this at different degrees of moving the head: forward, backward, to the side, and in rotation. This is a gentle, non-thrust massage that minimizes regions of limited mobility between the cervical vertebral column. A pulsating motion with the hands is commonly used during cervical spine mobilization.

Cervical manual traction

During the treatment, the patient is often lying face up, sitting, or, less frequently, lying face down on their stomach. The chiropractor softly tugs on the neck, extending the cervical spine and altering the inclination between flexion and extension, seeking the perfect angle to relieve the stiffness. This method is frequently used with mobilization by rotating between the two and/or performing both simultaneously.

Cervical “drop” techniques

The technique requires the patient to lie on the stomach (prone position). Or lying on their side on a specific sort of table, with the head drop-piece elevated into a designated spot. The chiropractor next places a hand and/or a finger on the spinal region to be adjusted. A medium to high velocity, low amplitude thrust, and gradually rising downward pressure is delivered until the headpiece opens and lowers a small distance. The purpose is to minimize cervical vertebra fixation using a specific table.

Conclusion

A chiropractic correction is a mild, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy administered by chiropractors. At Arizona’s Family Chiropractic, we can help you eliminate joint stiffness or misalignments in the spine to alleviate irritation and enhance the afflicted joint’s performance and the neurological system. The body can better handle neck discomfort by enhancing joint range of motion and boosting nervous system performance and spinal wellbeing.

References

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chiropractic Good For Neck Pain?

Yes. Chiropractors often use neck adjustments to alleviate neck pain. In certain circumstances, these neck manipulations, together with a personalized workout regimen, may be more effective than prescription drugs for neck pain.

Content Reviewed By

Dr. Brice Neff DC Gilbert AZ
Doctor of Chiropractic
Author