Chiropractic therapy is a non-surgical treatment option that may assist in alleviating your neck discomfort and symptoms. Some of the numerous forms of the neck (cervical) issues that Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) address are listed below:
- Injuries to the cervical intervertebral disc that do not necessitate surgery
- Injuries to the cervical spine
- Neck degenerative joint syndrome (e.g., facet joints)
- Sprained facet joint
- Whiplash
Table of Contents
How Does a Chiropractor Determine the Cause of Neck Pain?
Because various areas of the neck (cervical), mid back (thoracic), and low back (lumbar) may be impacted, your chiropractor will examine your whole spine. Neck pain specialists address the “whole person,” not just your ailments, but the spine as a whole. In addition to treating your neck discomfort, they may educate you on a diet, stress management, and lifestyle objectives.
The chiropractor will perform a comprehensive examination to determine the precise cause of your neck discomfort before determining which technique to attempt for your pain.
They will assess any areas of limited movement, your walking style, general posture, and spinal alignment. These actions can assist your chiropractor in understanding your body mechanics.
In addition to the physical exam, you’ll discuss your medical history with the chiropractor, who may prescribe imaging tests (such as an x-ray or an MRI) to assist them in determining the specific reason for your neck discomfort.
All of these phases in the diagnostic process will provide your chiropractor with more information about your neck discomfort, allowing your chiropractor to build a treatment plan that is unique to you.
Your chiropractor will also rule out a surgical neck pain issue; if they feel your neck pain would be better addressed by surgery, you will be sent to a spine surgeon.
Neck Pain Chiropractic Treatments
As part of your neck pain treatment strategy, your chiropractor may employ a mix of spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and other procedures.
The following are some spine manipulation procedures that your chiropractor may employ.
- Flexion-distraction therapy is a gentle, hands-on spinal manipulation that uses a pumping motion on the intervertebral disc rather than direct force.
- Tool-assisted manipulation uses a hand-held instrument to exert force without pressing into the spine.
- Using a gentle thrusting approach, specific spinal manipulation helps restore joint mobility.
Your chiropractor may also use manual treatments to address your neck discomfort.
- Special tools are used in instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy to assess and alleviate muscular tightness.
- Neck discomfort and other symptoms can be alleviated using manual joint stretching and resistance treatments.
- Tense muscles can be relieved by therapeutic massage.
- Trigger point treatment is used to treat tight, painful muscle spots.
Other methods may also be utilised to alleviate the symptoms of neck discomfort.
- Inferential electrical stimulation stimulates neck muscles with a low-frequency electrical current.
- Ultrasound waves are sent into your muscle tissues to relieve stiffness and soreness in your neck.
Therapeutic exercises may also be suggested since they can increase your neck’s general range of motion and prevent neck discomfort from worsening.
The methods described above are only samples of possible chiropractic treatments for neck pain; your diagnosis will determine your specific treatment plan. Your chiropractor should explain your treatment choices to you, so you understand what will happen.
