Chiropractic care can relieve neck pain for seniors

Chiropractic care can relieve neck pain for seniors

In my 35 years of chiropractic practice, I have seen patients of all ages who have experienced neck problems. In most cases, chiropractic care was successful in relieving neck pain. However, on occasion, some of my older patients who ultimately achieved relief were somewhat skeptical when they began care as to whether they could be helped. A surprising number of them thought they were too old and had been told by previous doctors that “nothing could be done for them and they would just have to live with it.” This article discusses a common cause of neck pain, what can be done to relieve neck pain, and current scientific research on seniors with neck pain.

The majority of people who suffer from a sore throat are suffering from a mechanical condition. In other words, there is a specific physics problem. First, let's start with some basic anatomy. The bones of the neck are called the cervical spine. There are seven bones in the cervical spine and each bone is called a vertebra. There are joints between each of the vertebrae called facet joints. Facet joints, like all other joints in the human body, allow defined movement as we carry out our daily activities. not too much exercise and not too little.

If we delve further into our anatomy discussion, we all know that there are neck muscles. The muscles in the neck are called flexors. Muscles in the neck are called extensors. And there are muscles on the side of the neck that allow us to move our heads from side to side and turn right and left.

There are also nerves that connect to the cervical spine. The base of the brain narrows into the spinal cord, which is enclosed and protected by the spinal canal of the cervical bones. There are openings on the sides of the cervical spine called intervertebral foramen. Peripheral nerves travel from the spinal cord, exit through the intervertebral foramen and travel to various parts of the body. Some of the peripheral nerves of the cervical spine travel to the muscles at the base of the skull. Others go to muscles in the front, back, and sides of the neck. In still other peripheral nerves travel to our upper extremities.

Optimally, the vertebrae of the cervical spine are aligned and moving properly. However, when a traumatic injury or repetitive overuse occurs, stress vertebrae can become misaligned and exhibit incorrect motion. This is when the facet joints of the cervical spine and the peripheral nerves of the neck can become irritated. This is the most common cause of neck pain. This mechanical abnormality is also the most common cause of tension and migraine headaches.

A current scientific study in the research journalChiropractic and manual therapies, December 2019speaks specifically about seniors with neck pain. It is estimated that one in five people aged 70 and over suffers from neck pain. A recent survey of 288 Australian chiropractors found that seniors accounted for about a third of their patients, with about half of those with neck pain often presenting with comorbid headaches. Among responders, the most common treatment approach for older adults with cervical pain included a combination of manual therapies (including manipulation and mobilization), neck-specific exercises, and self-management techniques.

As the scientific article notes, chiropractors use a technique of treatment called manipulation. Chiropractors also use the term “chiropractic adjustment” interchangeably with manipulation. A chiropractic adjustment gently, safely and expertly realigns and properly moves the cervical vertebrae to relieve irritation of the facet joints in the spinal nerves. This treatment method is considered the “gold standard” for pain relief for most patients with neck pain.

As mentioned previously, I have treated a number of older adults who suffered from neck pain and thought nothing could be done to relieve their neck condition. However, once chiropractic care began and these patients noticed improvement in their discomfort, their skepticism dissipated along with their previous discomfort.

Certainly, anyone who suffers from neck pain is recommended to consult a chiropractor to relieve their problem. Seniors would also definitely fall into this category and should not hesitate to seek this avenue for possible support.

Inspired by James Schofield