When considering going to a chiropractor about your neck pain, it is first important to keep a few things in mind. The chiropractic practice began with the intent of only working with spine and back related problems, and while many instances of neck pain may be related to back misalignment, many others are not.
Chiropractic adjustment of the neck and cervical vertebrae may carry with it some risks, so your chiropractor will perform an examination first. While very low in its risk, an improperly done neck manipulation can actually cause some problems ranging from stroke to pinching and severing major blood vessels in that area.
Chiropractors clearly understand the risks involved in performing any spinal manipulation, especially to the neck, and only perform this procedure when it is the right treatment for the patient. The doctor of chiropractic will learn the patient’s case history and perform a physical, orthopedic, and neurological examination before performing any treatment. When spinal manipulation goes wrong, it’s often the result of an untrained, non-chiropractor attempting to perform the treatment.
Many conditions, including headaches, neck pain, and numbness and tingling in the arms, can be related back to the neck. The benefits of a specific cervical adjustment can mean the end to a lifetime of chronic problems, so people readily seek out chiropractic treatment only after they’ve exhausted more traditional methods of relief including medications and injections.
Chiropractic treatment can be very helpful in dealing with neck pain, even if it’s chronic. Many times this chronic neck pain may be caused by muscle tension or posture issues which can be fixed in just a couple of visits with a skilled doctor, even if the problem has been around for years. Because chiropractic is so effective in dealing with the spine, this can also affect how the person deals with muscle tension or how they carry their muscles and whether that translates itself into back or neck pain.
When determining if chiropractic is the right answer for your neck pain, you can consider visiting with your primary care doctor first if you have any concerns about issues related to any of your health conditions. He or she can help determine other treatment options or if chiropractic is appropriate for your condition. If you do decide that chiropractic is best for you, look for someone who is recommended or seek out a referral from a trusted friend or family member.
The chiropractic doctor may determine that a radiographic examination (x-ray) of the neck and maybe the entire spine after performing an examination. The chiropractor may then recommend treatment that includes massage, heat, cold therapy, ultrasound, and electric stimulation in addition to the spinal adjustments. The additional therapies complement the main treatment; the spinal adjustment.
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