Neck pain is an extremely common problem in society and there are a variety of sources that may contribute to or cause neck pain. Some of these identified causes include whiplash, poor posture - including abnormal sleeping posture, muscular strain, ligament and tendon injury, joint sprain, inflammation, spinal misalignment, disc injury or degenerative disc disease, infection, or arthritis.
Neck pain can feel like any of the following:
Stiff neck that makes turning the head difficult
Sharp or stabbing pain in one spot
Soreness or tenderness in a general area
Pain that radiates down into the arms or fingers or radiates up into the head
In some cases, other symptoms associated with the neck pain are even more problematic, such as:
Tingling, numbness, or weakness that radiates into the shoulder, arms, or fingers
Trouble with gripping or lifting objects
Problems with walking, balance, or coordination
Headaches
Neck pain might be minor and easily ignored, or it can be excruciating to the point where it interferes with important daily activities, such as sleep. The pain might be short-lived, come and go, or become constant. While not common, some neck pain can also be a signal of a serious underlying medical issue, such as meningitis, or cancer.
Individuals seek chiropractic neck adjustment with neck pain chiropractor and other musculo-skeletal professionals on a daily basis. Besides lower back pain, there is no doubt that it is the most frequent clinical presentation that we see in practice.
Chiropractic Treatments for Neck Pain
Your chiropractor for neck pain may use a combination of spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and other techniques as part of your treatment plan for neck pain. Below are some spinal manipulation techniques your chiropractor may use.
Flexion-distraction technique is a gentle, hands-on spinal manipulation that involves a pumping action on the intervertebral disc instead of direct force.
Instrument-assisted manipulation uses a hand-held instrument to allow your chiropractor to apply force without thrusting into the spine.
Specific spinal manipulation helps restore joint movement using a gentle thrusting technique.
Your chiropractor may also use manual therapies to treat your neck pain.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy uses special instruments to diagnose and treat muscle tension.
Manual joint stretching and resistance techniques can help reduce neck pain and other symptoms.
Therapeutic massage can help relax tense muscles.
Trigger point therapy is used to relieve tight, painful points on a muscle.
Other therapies may also be used to ease neck pain symptoms.
Inferential electrical stimulation uses a low frequency electrical current to stimulate neck muscles.
Ultrasound sends sound waves into your muscle tissues to help stiffness and pain in your neck.
Therapeutic exercises may also be recommended—these can help improve overall range of motion in your neck and prevent neck pain from progressing.
