Millions of people each year suffer from neck pain. Some people find neck pain to be so severe that it can be downright debilitating. Many people with neck pain seek out a chiropractor for care and relief. Chiropractors can treat neck pain and other ailments without the use of drugs or surgery. Instead, they primarily use their hands to perform manipulations to the spine and other joints of the body. The theory behind the chiropractic approach is that when your body is out of alignment your entire musculoskeletal system does not perform properly. By using manipulation to realign the spine and other joints, your body can perform as it should and pain is relieved.
There are numerous types of neck injuries that chiropractors can treat. From whiplash to cervical sprain injuries, chiropractors are highly trained to treat injuries and pain in the neck.
If you have neck pain or a neck injury, your first step will be to find a chiropractor. Check with family and friends for a referral and with your insurance company. Most medical coverage includes chiropractic care and you will want to find a chiropractor that takes your insurance.
On your first visit to a chiropractor you can expect to provide information on your medical history, just as you would at any other doctor’s office. Many chiropractors will then give you an overview of what chiropractic care is and the different techniques that they use. The chiropractor will then perform an extensive chiropractic exam. He or she will look not only at your neck but at your entire spine including the middle and lower back area. Neck pain can be caused by other areas of your spine being out of alignment. The chiropractor is looking for areas of the spine where there is restriction to the joints, where there are muscle spasms and where there might be an alignment injury.
The chiropractor will also feel for tender areas or tight areas and take a look to see if your spinal joints are moving correctly. He or she may have you walk around while they observe your gait and overall posture. All of these things are important to help the Doctor to understand how your spine is working and moving. The chiropractor may also request x-rays or an MRI to help further diagnose the cause of your neck pain.
After the exam, you and your chiropractor will sit down together and come up with a treatment plan. The plan will most likely include a variety of treatment options.
Spinal manipulations are the most common chiropractic treatment. Spinal manipulation will allow the joints of the spine to resume normal functioning which can decrease and eliminate pain.
Cervical manipulation is another common way to treat neck pain. To perform cervical manipulation the chiropractor will use their hands and twist the neck quickly. As a result the vertebrae in the neck will move back into alignment, reducing pain.
Instrument assisted manipulation is another kind of treatment your chiropractor could use in your therapy. They will use a hand help chiropractic instrument to apply force to the joints without the use of thrusting, making it a safer therapy for patients who have degenerative joint syndrome.
Trigger point therapy is another technique that the chiropractor could use in your treatment plan. He or she will identify tight and or painful spots and use pressure to relieve the pain.
For neck pain treatment, a chiropractor may also use some additional treatments that include therapeutic stretching, massage, ultrasound and electrical stimulation. These additional treatments can help to increase blood flow to the area and decrease pain. They can also help to prevent further injury and prevent recurrent pain.
Your Tulsa Chiropractor,
Dr. Ryan Marshall, D.C.