A chiropractor starts with a physical exam to evaluate posture, range of motion and muscle strength. They may also order imaging tests like X-rays or an MRI.
The main technique used is spinal manipulation, also known as cervical manipulation. This involves applying a controlled force to the neck’s joints, which reduces inflammation and improves movement.
Identifying the Cause
Neck pain can be caused by a wide range of conditions. One of the most common causes is a pinched nerve in the neck. This occurs when a vertebrae shifts out of alignment and pinches a nerve in the neck. This can be caused by accidents, poor posture, sleeping in the wrong position and even stress.
A chiropractor can identify the source of your neck pain and recommend treatment to alleviate it. Treatment may include a combination of techniques. For example, spinal adjustments (also known as chiropractic manipulations) can relieve neck pain by applying precise and controlled pressure to the spine. This helps reduce nerve compression and realigns the spine.
Chiropractors also use soft tissue therapy to improve neck mobility, release tension and encourage healing. These techniques include trigger point therapy, myofascial release and massage. In addition to improving neck mobility and reducing muscle tension, these treatments can help increase circulation and decrease swelling. This allows blood to flow more freely through the area and provides your body with the nutrients it needs to heal.
Whether your neck pain is caused by an accident, whiplash or poor posture, it can be debilitating. It can affect your work, sleep and daily activities. It is important to treat your neck pain as soon as you notice it. If you are experiencing stiffness, sharp pain or if the pain is spreading to other parts of your body, make an appointment with a chiropractor right away.
Your chiropractor will ask you a series of questions to determine the cause of your neck pain. They will want to know what symptoms you have, such as when the pain started, where the pain is located and how long it lasts. They will also ask about your past injuries and any other health conditions you have. This information is used to evaluate your risk for treatment side effects. Often, patients who undergo chiropractic care do not require any medications to relieve their neck pain. This is because treatment focuses on addressing the root cause of the pain instead of just masking the symptoms.
Adjusting the Spine
Neck pain can be caused by herniated discs, whiplash injuries, poor posture, muscle strains and arthritis, among other conditions. Fortunately, chiropractic care can help. It can alleviate pressure on nerves in the neck, improve posture and prevent misalignments. It may even reduce the need for pain relievers. In fact, a large study from 2019 found that patients who visited a chiropractor and received spinal manipulation had lower prescription opioid use than those who only saw their doctor.
A chiropractor will start with a physical exam and palpation of the spine. During this, the chiropractor will touch the spine with their hand to detect areas of inflammation and misalignment. They will also move your neck in various directions to assess the range of motion. For example, you might be able to turn your head 90 degrees on one side but only 50 degrees on the other. This imbalance is an indication that something is wrong.
The cervical spine, which starts at the base of your skull, contains seven small vertebrae. Despite its flexibility, the cervical spine is very susceptible to injury and pain. This is because it supports the weight of the head, which is on average 12 pounds. Other factors that can cause neck problems include extended sitting, repetitive movement, car accidents, blows to the body or head, falls and general wear and tear.
When it comes to treating neck pain, chiropractic adjustments, or spinal manipulations, are the most effective tool. During this technique, a chiropractor applies a precise force to the spine to break up restrictions that may have formed around a joint. This will help correct the subluxation or misalignment, release trapped blood vessels and encourage the nerves to signal properly again.
For patients with a more mild condition, a chiropractor may use a different technique, called cervical mobilization or low-velocity, low-amplitude (LVLA). This involves using less force to move your neck’s spinal joints within their tolerated limits. It is often accompanied by soft tissue techniques and therapeutic exercises to reduce muscles tension and stiffness in the neck.
If you are experiencing neck pain, it is important to visit a chiropractor as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment. Make sure to look for a chiropractor who is licensed by your state’s chiropractic board and has experience working with neck pain. If possible, ask friends and coworkers for recommendations. It is also okay to visit several chiropractors to find the best one for you.
Relieving Pressure on the Nerves
For those suffering from neck pain, the main cause of the discomfort is usually a pinched nerve. This occurs when a vertebrae shifts and pinches a nerve in the neck. This can occur for many reasons including bad posture, sitting in a specific position for long periods of time or sleeping on the stomach without a pillow.
A chiropractor can help alleviate this issue by realigning the spine. This will take pressure off the affected nerves and help ease neck pain and stiffness. Chiropractors typically use spinal manipulation, traction and soft tissue therapy to treat this condition.
Spinal manipulation involves moving and jolting the spine to reduce inflammation, ease pain and improve nerve function. It can also be used to treat herniated discs in the neck. Flexion distraction is another popular method that focuses on reducing pressure on the joints in the neck. This can help to reduce herniated discs, as well as sciatica and degenerative disk disease.
Depending on the patient, a chiropractor may also recommend ice packs, heat pads and stretching exercises to ease the tension in the muscles. Electrical stimulation is another way to relieve neck pain. It works by blocking pain signals from the nerves and releasing the body’s natural painkillers. Massage also helps with this pain by loosening the tight neck muscles and promoting healing.
Before starting treatment, a chiropractor will check the patient’s medical history to ensure that neck manipulation is safe. This includes ongoing health conditions, medications and traumatic/surgical history. In addition, the chiropractor will order x-rays and/or computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT) scans. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be helpful in diagnosing herniated discs, bone spurs or arthritis.
Those who have osteoporosis, a spinal cord compression or inflammatory arthritis should not undergo spinal manipulation. In addition, those taking blood thinners should obtain clearance from their doctor before receiving chiropractic care. However, the vast majority of patients find relief from their neck pain and stiffness with this type of hands-on treatment. especially if done at the hands of the Scottsdale chiropractors.
Restoring Mobility
Your neck houses a cervical spine and more than 20 muscles. Because it supports your head and moves in many directions, it is susceptible to dysfunction and pain. Neck pain can result from herniated discs, whiplash injuries, poor posture or osteoarthritis (degeneration of joint cartilage). There are a number of treatments that can help alleviate neck pain and restore function. These include spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercise and stretches, mobilization techniques and soft tissue work.
When you visit a chiropractor, they will perform a physical and neurological exam of your neck. They will feel the spine with their hands to determine whether it is moving correctly, noting areas where there are stiffness or pain. They will also feel for inflammation, which can indicate that a bone fracture or tumor is present.
They will then move the spine through a series of maneuvers called rotational adjustments, which is done by hand with a small amount of force to reduce pain and improve spinal movement. They may also use a technique known as flexion distraction, in which they place pressure on the spinal cord to relieve herniated discs and regain normal nerve function. They will typically combine these techniques with soft tissue mobilization and massage to ease the muscle tension and improve movement in the neck.
In addition to reducing pain and improving function, chiropractic care for neck problems can also help manage headaches. This is especially true for those who suffer from tension headaches, which are characterized by a band of dull pressure around the head and can interfere with sleep, concentration and appetite. These headaches are caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, a pinched nerve in the neck and stress.
In addition to chiropractic treatment, your chiropractor can recommend lifestyle recommendations that will help you keep your neck healthy long after you leave their office. This can include hydration strategies, ergonomic workstation setups and stretches to promote proper spine alignment and prevent future episodes of neck pain. If your neck pain persists after a few visits to a chiropractor, you should speak with a medical doctor for further evaluation because it could be an indication of a serious problem that requires medical attention.
