The Chiropractic Neck Adjustment

  Neck pain is the worst kind of overachiever. It’s so common that it’s the fourth-leading cause of disability globally, following ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and lower respiratory infection. Nearly 30 percent experience it each year.

And it’s not always centralized in the neck. It can radiate across your whole upper body, affecting your shoulders, arms and chest and can even cause headaches. Living with neck pain can be miserable, making it hard to focus and get through the day.

Neck pain can be debilitating and may interfere with day-to-day life, including your ability to sleep, feel productive, and enjoy time with friends and family. And it affects more than just your physical body. Studies have shown that chronic pain can have an impact on a person’s mental health; up to 80% of patients with chronic pain are affected by severe depression.

The Chiropractic Neck Adjustment

Chiropractic neck adjustments, called cervical manipulation, loosen up the joints of the cervical vertebrae in the neck. This can reduce pain caused by pinched nerves, muscle spasms, strains and other contributing factors. Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related wear and tear.

The neck pain chiropractor use their hands to manipulate the neck and place the vertebrae back into alignment, combatting the effects of posture and other factors. Sometimes, neck pain isn’t just local. Discomfort from causes such as pinched nerves can radiate throughout the shoulder and down the arm. Chiropractors can help relieve these pains by repositioning the bones, relaxing the muscles, and reducing the pressure on nerves.

In conjunction with your chiropractic treatment plan, continual stretching and home exercises can ensure your neck pain stays at bay. Soft tissue massage can also loosen muscle knots in the neck and shoulders to relieve pain.

Prevention

Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related wear and tear. To help prevent neck pain, keep your head centered over your spine. Some simple changes in your daily routine may help. Consider trying to:

Use good posture. When standing and sitting, be sure your shoulders are in a straight line over your hips and your ears are directly over your shoulders.

Take frequent breaks. If you travel long distances or work long hours at your computer, get up, move around and stretch your neck and shoulders.

Adjust your desk, chair and computer so that the monitor is at eye level. Knees should be slightly lower than hips. Use your chair’s armrests.

Avoid tucking the phone between your ear and shoulder when you talk. Use a headset or speakerphone instead.

If you smoke, quit. Smoking can put you at higher risk of developing neck pain.

Avoid carrying heavy bags with straps over your shoulder. The weight can strain your neck.

Sleep in a good position. Your head and neck should be aligned with your body. Use a small pillow under your neck. Try sleeping on your back with your thighs elevated on pillows, which will flatten your spinal muscles.