When you're suffering from acute or chronic neck pain, you need to know that whatever course of treatment you embark on is capable of delivering the results you seek. In which case, you'll be glad to hear that chiropractors can use cervical spinal adjustments to treat neck pain with great success -- especially when their adjustments are administered in combination with corrective exercises. Let's take a look at some of the common neck pain issues people face, and how research backs up the contention that chiropractic care can help alleviate or manage this agonizing symptom.
Neck pain can originate from a number of different root causes. Acute accident injuries such as whiplash can actually push cervical spine out of alignment, creating dislocated joints, torn muscles, pinched nerves and herniated discs. Chronic diseases and disorders are other common causes of neck pain, with examples ranging from bulging discs what press against cervical nerve tissue to degenerative joint problems, chronic muscle strain, and longstanding alignment errors.
Age - Discs in the neck may begin to bulge as you approach middle age and the discs lose some of their internal hydration. Age-related wear and tear of cervical vertebral joints can lead to osteoarthritis.
Repetitive motion strain - Occupations or sports that force you to make demanding neck motions over and over again can make the neck tissues prone to micro-tears that eventually turn into chronic inflammatory disorders.
Postural problems - If your neck posture is less than healthy, the unevenly-distributed weight of your head may strain your neck muscles and connective tissues. Certain behaviors such as constantly stooping over your smartphone can even leave you with a form of chronic neck pain called "text neck."
The good news is that chiropractic care can definitely help patients suffering from neck pain. This care typically take the form of manual or instrument-aided adjustments to the cervical spine. By bringing these structures back into a more normal alignment, our chiropractor can equalize the burden on neck muscles, at the same time easing pain related to disc displacement and joint stiffness.
Research has shown that chiropractic treatment for neck pain has significant value. The American Chiropractic Association cites several studies as evidence. In one such study, this kind of manipulative therapy was found to offer more effective relief than other conservative treatment options. Another cited study indicated that chiropractic patients enjoyed better long-term relief (at the one-year mark) than patients who only received medication for their pain.
Chiropractic care seems to offer significant relief for both acute and chronic neck pain. In a study of 49 acute neck pain sufferers, 47 reported satisfaction with the results of chiropractic treatment for their condition -- a 96-percent success rate. A study of chiropractic care for chronic neck pain sufferers showed that a course of 20 chiropractic sessions not only improved the clinical outcome for those patients, but it also helped reduce the overall cost of care versus at-home rehabilitation by itself.
Chiropractic care for neck pain becomes even more effective when it's combined with a course of strengthening exercises. By building up weak or injured neck muscles through carefully-selected exercises, our chiropractor can help your neck maintain the straight, healthy posture made possible by cervical spinal adjustments. But either chiropractic care or exercise can prove more effective against neck pain than medication, according to a study performed at Northwestern Health Sciences University. About 53 percent of both the chiropractic recipients and the exercise recipients continued to report substantial pain relief after one year.
The most convincing proof that chiropractic care can ease your neck pain is first-hand experience. If you're ready to discover for yourself what research has already established, call Zaker Chiropractic at any of our three locations to schedule an appointment with our neck doctor! We are located in Newport Beach, Torrance, and San Pedro CA. We have years of experience treating neck pain and other types of pain. Come see us today!
