You’ve Got Neck Pain. We’ve Got Solutions.
Your neck (cervical spine) consists of 7 vertebrae (spinal bones), intervertebral discs, joints, muscles, ligaments and fascia (connective tissue). Dysfunction of any of these structures could lead to pain and discomfort. People commonly complain of neck pain—is there any doubt as to why? For many Americans, the routine is clearly set. Drive to work (tense the neck), sit in front of a computer for 8 hours (tense the neck), stress-out about work (tense the neck), drive home from work (tense the neck). A common cause of neck pain is tension and stress. Stress hormones can cause your muscle to get too tight (especially those muscles where the neck/shoulder meet and at the base of your skull–chances are good you know just what we’re talking about…). Or perhaps you are like 120,000 other Americans who (this year) suffered from whiplash following a motor vehicle accident. Maybe your work or play requires you to engage in slumped or hunched over postures. Because most causes of neck pain are musculoskeletal, most cases of neck pain respond well to chiropractic.
With chiropractic adjustments (known as spinal manipulation), manual therapy (mobilization, myofascial release), gentle stretching procedures, muscle relaxation exercises, rehabilitative exercises and ergonomic/biomechanical advice we’ll give you all the tools you need to get rid of that pain in the neck!
Chiropractic and Neck Pain: What the Research Shows
Recently, the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders was established to review scientific research and create reports which would discuss the management of neck pain. This task force has reported that neck pain is a widespread condition which tends to recur. They indicate that there are many causes of neck pain, and that various factors may contribute to the onset of neck pain. Interestingly, the treatments recommended by the Neck Pain Task Force (for the common causes of neck pain) are offered at Lehigh Valley Chiropractic. These include manipulation (chiropractic adjustments), mobilization, manual therapy and education. Treatments that are unlikely to help the most common causes of neck pain include cervical collars, passive modalities (TENS, ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation), injections (like corticosteroid injection in the cervical facet joints), radiofrequency neurotomies (heating of nerves in the neck to decrease pain) and surgery. Lehigh Valley Chiropractic offers evidence based non-invasive alternatives that may provide you with relief. Want more info? Head to our Chiropractic Research Page.
Is Chiropractic Safe and Effective for Treating Neck Pain?
In a study published in the British Medical Journal, the researchers concluded this: ” Manual therapy (mobilization/manipulation) is more effective and less costly than physiotherapy or care by a general practitioner for treating neck pain. Patients undergoing manual therapy recovered more quickly than those undergoing the other interventions.”
Time and again, chiropractic is shown to be a useful, safe and preferred method for treating neck pain without all those drugs, injections or surgery. At Lehigh Valley Chiropractic, spinal manipulation (chiropractic treatments/adjustments) is combined with additional types of manual (hands-on) therapy like trigger point work and myofascial therapy, and therapeutic exercise in order to provide you with the fastest results. Unlike most other treatment methods for neck pain (injections, medication, surgery), chiropractic is generally not associated with serious side effects. The most common side effect is a temporary increase in spinal pain. Most often, after the initial increase in discomfort is preceded with relief and increased range of motion. The doctors at this Bethlehem Chiropractic practice are highly trained and skilled in the art and science of chiropractic adjustments for the treatment of neck pain. Click here to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care.
- Haldeman S, Carroll L, Cassidy D, Schubert J, Nygren A. The bone and joint decade 2000-2010 task force on neck pain and its associated disorders: executive summary. Spine. 15Feb 2008; 33(4S): S5-S7.
- Korthals-de Bos et al (2003), British Medical Journal.