Neck Pain: 4 Ways Chiropractic Care Can Help

Stiffness and pain in the neck are typically caused by issues with the cervical spine. The nape area—which begins right at the base of the skull down to the seventh vertebrae—is responsible for supporting the weight of the head, which is 12 pounds on average. This amount of weight, moving in nearly every direction, makes the cervical spine extremely prone to injury and pain. This susceptibility to pain and injury is largely due to natural biomechanics made even worse by activities and events like accidents, hard blows and trauma to the head and/or body, repetitive movement, prolonged sitting, daily activities, and normal aging. Pain in the neck can range from bothersome to debilitating, which is why consulting a neck pain specialist is highly recommended when experiencing persistent ache and stiffness.

Chiropractic care for neck pain should begin at the source. When you visit a personal injury chiropractic, you’ll receive a thorough evaluation of your condition—including tracing the root cause of your pain—so that the proper approach to treatment can be determined. A physical exam and a walk through your medical history is crucial as well, and in some cases, proper imaging tests to better pinpoint the cause of the neck pain. Chiropractors make use of various spinal manipulation techniques and manual therapies to treat neck pain, among which include:

1. Flexion-distraction – A gentle spinal manipulation technique involving a pumping action right on a patient’s invertebrae discs. This helps correct subluxations in the nape and other affected areas.

2. Specific or direct manipulation – This is a gentle thrusting motion that helps restore joint movement and range of motion.

3. Instrument-assisted manipulation – With instrument-assisted manipulation, chiropractors make use of hand-held instruments to apply force into the spine.

4. Manual therapies – Your chiropractor may also use a combination of manual therapies to help with neck pain, ranging from soft tissue therapy (instrument-assisted), therapeutic massages, trigger point therapy, and manual resistance and stretching techniques for the joints.

If you are looking for a neck pain specialist and personal injury chiropractor in the Augusta area, Dr Walker Chiropractic is the perfect partner to help fight against the debilitating effects of persistent aches and pains due to daily stresses or perhaps a traumatic injury. Augusta Chiro’s chiropractic care center ensures a comprehensive and individualized approach to treatment, providing you a well-rounded program aimed at overcoming your chronic painful conditions.