Neck pain is quite common! Neck pain often results from poor posture and may stem from several diseases and disorders. Things that cause neck pain include car accidents, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease and neck strain. Neck injuries such as whiplash, a pinched nerve and a herniated disc can also cause neck pain.
What Does Neck Pain Feel Like?
The primary symptom of neck pain is a dull aching pain. The pain can get worse when you turn your neck or head. Other symptoms of neck pain include the following:
- Tenderness
- Tingling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Headache
- Numbness
- Pulsations
- Swelling of the Lymph nodes
- Sharp-shooting Pain
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness
- Difficulty with Range of Motion
Chiropractic Care and Treatment of Neck Pain
Chiropractic treatment of neck pain is a non-surgical treatment procedure that helps alleviate neck pain and other associated symptoms. Before treating neck pain, a seasoned chiropractor will first evaluate your spine.
The chiropractor will check the neck and other parts of the spine that are connected to the neck including the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. Chiropractors don’t just focus on a singular symptom but treat your body as a whole. Until they get a proper diagnosis and an accurate cause of your neck pain, they won’t proceed with treatment.
This is to ensure a tailor-made treatment that will target the issue and work effectively. The chiropractor will also prove your medical history to reach a diagnosis. He or she may also prescribe imaging tests for good measure.
What are the Chiropractic Treatments for Neck Pain?
There are several chiropractic treatments for neck pain including spinal manipulation and manual therapy. Depending on your diagnosis, your chiropractor may use a combination of techniques to treat your neck pain.
Examples of Spinal Manipulation Techniques
- Instrument-assisted manipulation — Here, the chiropractor uses a hand-held instrument to apply the right amount of force to your spine.
- Specific spinal manipulation — It involves using a gentle thrusting technique to restore joint movement.
- Flexion-distraction technique — This is a gentle technique that entails pumping the intervertebral disc as opposed to using direct force.
Examples of Manual Therapies
- Therapeutic massage — a massage that helps relax and loosen tensed muscles.
- Trigger point therapy —is used to alleviate painful and restrictive muscle points.
- Manual joint stretching and resistance techniques — a technique that helps relieve neck pain and other related symptoms.
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy — involves special instruments that diagnose and treat muscle tension.
In addition to these treatments, your chiropractor may also recommend therapeutic exercises to restore your neck’s range of motion and prevent pain progression or recurrence!
