Neck Pain

Common Causes of Neck Pain

• Injury and Accidents: Whiplash from sudden head movements, often from car accidents, can strain neck tissues, leading to pain, stiffness, and muscle fatigue. Severe cases may involve damage to joints, discs, ligaments, and nerves.
• Aging: Conditions like osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease affect the spine:

• Osteoarthritis deteriorates cartilage, leading to bone spurs and limited joint motion.
• Spinal stenosis narrows nerve passages, causing neck, shoulder, and arm pain, and sometimes numbness.
• Degenerative disc disease reduces disc elasticity and height, potentially leading to bulging or herniation, with symptoms like tingling and pain radiating into the arm.
• Daily Life: Poor posture, obesity, and weak abdominal muscles can disrupt spinal balance, causing neck strain. Stress and tension can tighten muscles, leading to pain and stiffness that may extend into the upper back and arms.

Chiropractic Safety

Chiropractic care is highly effective for neck pain and carries minimal risk, with side effects usually limited to mild soreness. Compared to medications and surgery, chiropractic is a safe and cost-effective treatment option and should be considered a primary approach in addressing neck pain.

Patient Satisfaction

Overall, the patient assessment post care is a great measure in itself regarding the efficacy of chiropractic care for neck pain. Observational studies have consistently found that low back pain patients receiving chiropractic care, which typically includes (but is not restricted to) spinal adjustments, are more satisfied than those receiving medical care (Cherkin, 1989; Carey, 1995; Kane, 1974). Ultimately, chiropractic care leaves large numbers of patients pleased with their results. 

Research Supporting Chiropractic Care

One of the most recent reviews of scientific literature found evidence that patients with chronic neck pain enrolled in clinical trials reported significant improvement following chiropractic spinal manipulation. As part of the literature review, published in the March/April 2007 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, the researchers reviewed nine previously published trials and found “high-quality evidence” that patients with chronic neck pain showed significant pain-level improvements following spinal manipulation. No trial group was reported as having remained unchanged, and all groups showed positive changes up to 12 weeks post-treatment.

Our Office

During your visit to our office, the doctor of chiropractic will perform a detailed consultation and examination to locate the source of your pain. This will involve a series of questions about your current condition, followed by an exam. In the physical exam, your doctor will observe your posture, range of motion, and physical condition, noting movement that causes pain. The doctor will feel your spine, note its curvature and alignment, and feel for muscle spasm. If warranted the Doctor may order x-rays. Once all of the information is collected to develop a specific diagnosis, a report of findings will be delivered to you. If you qualify for conservative chiropractic care, recommendations for the appropriate adjustments and therapies will be provided.