If you’re struggling with neck pain, you’ve come to the right place. But don’t expect your chiropractor to crack your spine and send you on your way with a quick fix. Instead, your chiropractic team will apply a whole-body health approach, using tools that work together like a well-tuned piano. These techniques nudge your body towards healing, transforming pain into wellness.
Chiropractors are lifelong students, delving into research to ensure every adjustment is backed by science. They’re also adept at recognizing and addressing the myriad factors that contribute to neck discomfort, including stressors like poor posture, a lack of proper warm-up, overexertion, or an unbalanced diet.
A chiropractic treatment plan often includes manual spinal manipulation and mobilization. Static and motion palpation and pain provocation tests are used to evaluate the spine and pelvis. Once the chiropractor determines that a joint in the spine or pelvis is at its physiological range of motion, they’ll apply a high velocity low amplitude thrust to restore the joint to its correct position. This technique is gentle enough for patients of all ages and has been shown to be effective for treating a variety of conditions, including sciatica, neck pain, scoliosis, shoulder pain, low back pain, plantar fasciitis, and whiplash.
The spine is a complex structure that influences musculoskeletal health and overall function. When the spine is aligned correctly, nerve pathways are optimized, allowing your brain to communicate effectively with different parts of your body. This results in improved mobility, reduced pain and inflammation, and enhanced general health.
Injuries to the neck are a common occurrence, whether the result of trauma or repetitive movement. Over time, the spine’s tough outer layer can get brittle and crack, causing the gel-like interior to herniate out and press against nerves, leading to pain. These injuries can be caused by sports or even daily activities, such as hunching over a computer.
Aside from manual spinal adjustments, a holistic approach to health and wellness might include massage therapy or other complementary therapies. These treatments accelerate the healing process, enhance relaxation and provide a deeper level of pain relief. For example, interferential therapy is a popular modality in chiropractic care that uses specialized electric currents to induce muscle contraction. It’s completely safe, non-invasive and clients usually lay down for a session. Interferential therapy has been shown to increase blood flow, decrease pain and inflammation, strengthen muscles, and improve tissue regeneration. This is why it’s such a valuable tool in the chiropractic arsenal.