Understanding Chiropractic Treatment for Neck Pain

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Neck pain is a common complaint that can affect the range of movement in your head and your concentration levels, but GPs can usually only suggest you take painkillers and press on with your busy life. Painkillers simply mask the pain and don't treat the cause of your neck pain, so what's the alternative?

Chiropractic treatment takes a natural approach to healing and has been shown to be effective at treating neck pain. Here's an overview of the causes of neck pain and chiropractic treatment process:

Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can occur when too much stress is put on the nerves, muscles and ligaments in your neck, which can be caused by the following:

• Poor posture—Slouching on the sofa or spending your days hunched over a desk can reduce blood flow and cause an imbalance in your neck muscles.
• Trauma—Any trauma, such as being involved in a car accident or suffering a sports injury, that causes your neck to jerk suddenly can leave you with nerve damage and strained neck muscles.
• Wear & tear—As you age you become more susceptible to joint and tissue degeneration as a result of the build-up of the effects of physical stress on your body over the years. The delicate structure of your neck is often one of the first areas of your body to feel the effects of age-related degeneration.
• Repetitive strain injuries—Overuse of the muscles and ligaments in your neck can cause inflammation, which can impair the functioning of the nerves in your neck and lead to stiffness.

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatment uses manual adjustment techniques to free trapped nerves, loosen tight muscles and bring your neck back into alignment. Your chiropractor will apply pressure to your neck with their hands and manipulate areas of stress. They may use high-velocity thrusting manipulations to improve the range of motion in your neck or low-velocity manipulations to stretch your neck muscles out. Additionally, your chiropractor may combine deep tissue massage with the manipulations to achieve a deeper adjustment.

They will also give you advice on maintaining a healthy posture and show you how to do some simple exercises at home, which will help to keep your neck loose between treatment sessions. Exercises can also strengthen your neck muscles, which can prevent future episodes of neck pain.

Chiropractic treatment is painless and safe for almost everyone, including children, pregnant women and the elderly. However, certain medical conditions such as osteoporosis are contraindicated in chiropractic care, so do disclose any health conditions before starting treatment.

If you're experiencing neck pain, don't struggle through your days with painkillers. Schedule an appointment with a clinic like Coogee Chiropractic for a thorough assessment of your neck.

12 May 2015