Neck pain is one of the most common reasons that people seek help from a medical professional. While a mainstream healthcare provider might recommend medication or even surgery to relieve the pain, there is a drug-free, surgery-free alternative that can alleviate pain, restore range of motion, and improve the quality of your life.
Chiropractors work with their hands to adjust their patients’ bodies. By properly aligning their spines and other joints, they can minimize or even eliminate pain without prescribing dangerous opioid medications.
Chiropractic Treatments for Neck Pain
The word ‘chiropractor’ comes from two Greek words. The first word is cheir, which is Greek for hand. The second word is praxis, which is Greek for action. Put together, they tell us that chiropractors use their hands to act upon their patients’ bodies.
You may have heard chiropractic treatments referred to as adjustments. When a patient comes to them with neck pain, chiropractors evaluate the patient to try to determine the cause of the pain. Neck pain can be caused by a variety of issues.
Traumatic injuries can cause pain that can linger if it’s not treated properly. One example of a traumatic injury that can result in neck pain is whiplash, which can occur from an automobile collision when the neck is whipped forward and then back by the impact.
The other kind of neck pain that chiropractors treat is a repetitive stress injury. A repetitive stress injury can be caused by consistently poor posture or by engaging in an activity that puts stress on the neck over time, such as sleeping in a position that’s not beneficial to your neck.
Chiropractic adjustments to the neck involve the chiropractor applying a controlled amount of force to the neck, which pushes the joint beyond its normal range of motion. Properly done, an adjustment can loosen up joints that aren’t moving properly.
Cervical manipulation can loosen up the vertebrae of the neck and reduce pain caused by muscle spasms or pinched nerves. Treating neck pain typically requires a series of chiropractic adjustments. Whether the pain is caused by a trauma or by repetitive stress, it’s rare that it can be resolved in a single appointment. Fortunately, many insurance plans now cover chiropractic care.
How to Find a Chiropractor Near You
Finding a chiropractor in most areas of the United States is fairly easy. There are two ways:
- Ask your primary care physician for a recommendation. Many medical doctors collaborate with chiropractors and other alternative healthcare providers to treat their patients. Your doctor may do that and be able to refer you to someone they trust.
- Check with the American Chiropractic Association to find a chiropractor. You can click this link to provide information about where you are, and they’ll provide you with a list of names in your area.
A chiropractor can be an important part of your wellness team. It’s a chiropractor’s job to provide you with drug-free, non-invasive care to reduce neck pain and help you lead a healthy life.
