Neck Pain

The neck is an area that is prone to pain and injury because of its high mobility and complex structure. Neck pain is common and can occur at any age. Among adults, it may occur in up to 15%-20% of people in a year. Damage or inflammation in the neck can lead to pain or stiffness, but this can also be caused by problems in surrounding areas such as the thoracic spine or the shoulders.

Neck pain tends to involve three main factors. One of these is the structural misalignment of the vertebrae, which affects the stability of the neck and the nervous messages to the rest of the body. Another is muscular dysfunction in the neck, leading to tension and poor posture. The third is postural abnormalities, which can cause an imbalance in the nervous system and lead to further structural misalignment and muscular dysfunction.

Some of the more minor causes of neck pain include poor posture and overuse which may be relieved within days. More serious problems may be caused by injuries sustained by a fall, accident, whiplash, or contact sport, or from illness, which can have a more lasting effect and impact on all aspects of life, such as getting dressed, driving a car, or working.

How Can Chiropractic Help?

Research suggests that chiropractic care may improve the condition of both acute and chronic neck pain. According to a study involving acute and chronic neck pain patients who had received no chiropractic care during at least the 3 months prior to the commencement of the study, receiving chiropractic care through the course of the study made a significant difference to their condition, which increased over time. After the first week, 77.8% of acute patients and 37.6% of chronic patients considered their condition to be improved. This increased to 86.6% of the acute group and 62.4% of the chronic after one month, and this further increased to 70.1% for the chronic group after 3 months.

Chiropractic care aims to help neck pain by:

● Reducing pain levels
● Decrease muscular tension
● Increase range of motion
● Support healthy nerve function