Neck pain is one of the most common problems that can lead to serious chronic pain or even permanent disability.
According to the National Institute of Health Statistics’ national survey, every three of four Americans suffer from neck pain at some point in their lifetime. Usually, neck pain lasts for a short time, but if it is taking longer than usual, it can be a symptom of a serious problem.
Regardless of the severity of your neck pain, chiropractic care can provide you with instant and long-term relief better than any narcotic pain medication.
Typical Causes of Neck Pain:
Some common causes of neck pain include:
Whiplash:
It is a common neck injury that often occurs when a sudden force tears the muscle and tendons in your neck. The most common cause of this injury is a car crash.
Cervical Osteoarthritis:
Also known as cervical spondylosis, it is a condition where bones, discs, and joints change their shape or position due to normal wear and tear. This condition is mostly common among people aged 45 to 65.
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease: It is one of the most frequent causes of chronic neck pain that develops when cushioning discs in the cervical spine begin to break as a result of spinal wear and tear.
Cervical Herniated Disc: It is another common cause of neck pain that develops when the disc material compresses or pushes a spinal nerve. This is a more serious condition and may require surgery.
Cervical Foraminal Stenosis:
It causes intervertebral foraminae to narrow, compressing and trapping the nerve roots. It can be a result of aging and wear and tear on the spinal. Spinal Stenosis: It occurs when the spaces in the spine narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve root. This is also a serious condition that leads to problems like numbness, extreme weakness, and bladder dysfunction.
Symptoms of Neck Pain:
Here are some common symptoms associated with neck pain:
Stiffness: Stiffness in neck can arise when you keep your head in one position for too long. Some possible causes of this condition include cervical spine disorders, muscle strain and Meningitis. It is a common ailment among excessive computer users.
Cervicalgia:
It is another common symptom of neck pain which may arise as a result of enormous stress on your neck muscles and cause sharp pain in your neck whenever your head is suddenly moved. This type of pain usually occurs in the lower part of your neck.
Muscle Ache:
Muscle aches, or myalgia, is a common symptom of muscle ache. Tension, stress, and minor injuries are some common causes of muscle pain.
Neck Spasms:
Neck spasms are involuntary contractions of one or more muscles of your neck. This condition causes muscles to become tight and hard, thus preventing you from moving your neck.
How Does a Chiropractor Diagnose Neck Pain?
During your first visit to a chiropractic clinic, you will undergo physical and neurological exams. In the physical exam, your chiropractor will examine your physical condition, posture and Range-of-Motion (ROM) to determine which movement is causing you pain. During the Neurological-Muscular Examination, he or she will perform a manual muscle testing and determine ROM of the neck. Your chiropractic doctor might also order some tests like an X-Ray, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test (an MRI), a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan or in some serious cases, an Electromyography (EMG), to diagnose your condition. These measures help your doctor gather maximum information about your neck pain and create a treatment plan according to your specific condition. Chiropractic Techniques for
Neck Pain Treatment:
Your chiropractor may treat your neck pain using spinal manipulation therapy or manual therapy. Some common spinal manipulation techniques used in chiropractic care are:
Flexion-Distraction Technique:
It is a safe, effective and economical spinal manipulation technique that is aimed at streamlining the movement of the spine so that the pressure on disc bulge can be released. The treatment is conducted through a specially designed table with moveable parts for separating different parts of the spine that enable the patient to perform a specific head motion or flex or bend at the waist.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM):
It is a simple, effective and non-invasive therapy that helps your practitioner to quickly and effectively diagnose and treat muscle tension. Thanks to its effectiveness and efficiency, IASTM is becoming a popular treatment method for Soft Tissue Dysfunction.
Spinal Manipulative Therapy:
It is also a common treatment for neck pain that is used to restore or improve the joint function. Besides the above-mentioned methods, your practitioner may also use manual hand-on neck adjustment techniques like therapeutic massage, Manual Joint Stretching, and Resistance &Trigger Point Therapy to enhance the mobility of the spine, streamline the movement of adjoining muscles and restore ROM.