First, consider chiropractic care for neck pain relief

First, consider chiropractic care for neck pain relief

Neck pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek chiropractic care. The causes of neck problems can be varied. In some cases, the cause may be unknown, or it may be due to an accumulation of years of poor ergonomics and poor posture. In other cases, it may be due to trauma, such as: B. whiplash in a rear-end collision. This article addresses neck pain and provides a natural, safe and gentle way to relieve neck pain.

There are three areas of the human spine. The neck area, called the cervical spine; the middle back, called the thoracic spine, and the lower back, called the lumbar spine. Of the three, the cervical spine shows the most movement. As a result, it is often an area that can become painful.

Some of the reasons why the neck area can cause discomfort include misalignment of the bones, pinched nerves, degenerative discs, herniated discs and whiplash.

A misalignment of the cervical spine bones irritates the joints in this part of the spine. These joints are called facet joints. The facet joints may be misaligned or may become fixed and locked.

A pinched nerve can occur in the neck area. When this happens, it is due to a misalignment of the cervical spine bones, called the vertebrae. When the vertebrae are misaligned, impingement of the nerve exiting the cervical spine can occur. This can result in a very painful condition known as a “pinched nerve.”

Herniated discs are usually a condition of the neck that occurs over a long period of time. The intervertebral discs of the cervical spine are a form of cartilage material sandwiched between the cervical vertebrae at the top and bottom. The discs can wear out and create a “bone on bone” situation. This is a form of wear-and-tear arthritis.

A cervical disc herniation occurs when the back portion of the cervical disc bulges or protrudes and compresses the spinal cord, spinal nerves, or both.

Whiplash occurs when there is a rear-end collision with a car. The passengers' heads and necks "whip" forward and then back. This causes the supporting muscles and tendons (called a strain) and ligaments (called a sprain) to tear. This type of injury can lead to any of the conditions mentioned above.

Since all of these conditions that cause neck pain are mechanical in origin, a reasonable course of treatment is chiropractic. Chiropractors are health care practitioners who are trained to assess, diagnose and treat physical, mechanical problems that lead to neck pain.

There are a number of methods that chiropractors use to help patients relieve neck pain.

Manipulation, sometimes called a chiropractic adjustment, is a safe way to achieve realignment of abnormally positioned cervical vertebrae. It is very safe and usually gives the patient good relief from neck pain. Another treatment approach is mobilization. Mobilization is a slow gentle stretching of areas that also serves to induce proper alignment of the cervical vertebrae. Of course, chiropractors use other modalities to induce healing, such as electrical muscle stimulation, the use of cold packs, and firm contact with tight muscles, called trigger point therapy. Sometimes a doctor of chiropractic will treat the patient together with another doctor, e.g. B. if pharmacological therapy should be carried out.

Most patients who undergo chiropractic care value this natural, holistic form of healthcare for neck pain relief.

Inspired by James Schofield