Neck and Back Pain and Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care for neck pain

Patients with neck pain usually resort to chiropractic care for treatment. A lot of testimonies abound on the expertise of the chiropractors and the efficacy of the technique itself. The United States has more than 60,000 registered chiropractors, and about 8 percent of American adults and 3 percent of children have had chiropractic care to treat their pain, according to a recent survey. This figure is higher than the percentage that uses massage, yoga, and acupuncture.

Chiropractic is derived from the Greek word (their) meaning “hand” and (praxis) meaning action. Chiropractors treat neck pain by using their hands to adjust the spine and the joints. Adjustments involve applying a force which is sudden but regulated by the joint. This force pushes the joint beyond its range of movement. Doing this loosens joints that do not move well or poorly. Poor movement of the joint is caused by scarring or tissue damage (due to trauma or excessive stress). Whiplash is an example of trauma that causes neck pain.

For neck pain, in particular, a technique called cervical manipulation is used to loosen up the joints of the cervical vertebrae in the neck.  Using this technique can reduce pain caused by muscle spasms and pinched nerves. The neck is twisted sharply and the vertebrae are snapped back into alignment.

 

When it is not appropriate:

There are situations where you may need to meet another type of medical professional. It is not in all cases where you see a chiropractor. Such cases include:

• When you have a painful or numb feeling in your shoulder, arm or leg. This might be due to a spinal cord injury or a slipped cervical disk. Such cases require the services of a neurosurgeon or a neurologist. You may need to visit the emergency room if the case is very severe.
• If your neck pain is accompanied by a fever, a headache, or vomiting, you may need to test for meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, a membrane that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. If it is meningitis, you are advised to visit the emergency room without delay.

Be informed that neck pain may be caused by other conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. In cases such as these, your doctor may prescribe medications such as muscle relaxants. Such medications may alleviate pain better than chiropractic. Chiropractic treatment aims to restore the mobility in in your joints.  It treats the main cause of the pain and not just the symptoms.

 

Chiropractic care for back pain

Chiropractic care for back pain involves a medical examination firstly. After this has been done, lab tests or diagnostic imaging may be used to determine if chiropractic care is suitable for your back pain.

Treatment involves manual adjustments to the back. This involves manipulation of the joints using a sudden but controlled force to improve the quality and range of motion. Some chiropractors will give you nutritional tips, and counseling on exercise to help. Chiropractic care for back pain aims to restore function and prevent injuries alongside relieving pain.

 

The benefits

For acute low back pain, it is safe to use spinal manipulation and chiropractic care. Acute back pain is more common than chronic back pain with a maximum duration of about six weeks. It usually gets better on its own. Studies have shown that chiropractic care also benefits headaches and neck pain (as discussed above).

Some chiropractors make use of techniques such as prolotherapy or sclerotherapy to treat chronic back pain. Research has not verified the effectiveness of these techniques. Patients with osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis, and compression of the spinal cord or those who are placed on blood-thinning medications are advised to first be cleared by their physicians before undergoing procedures such as spinal manipulation.

Effective treatment on based on accurate diagnosis. Be sure to give your chiropractor detailed information regarding your medical history, medications (past and current), lifestyle factors and surgical/traumatic history. Few cases have been recorded in which chiropractic care worsened a slipped or herniated disc. Be cautious. Let the chiropractor study your case to be sure whether or not you will benefit from chiropractic or other pain relief alternatives.

 

Reference

National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. “Handout on Health: Back Pain.”