The neck consists of vertebrae. The vertebrae extend from the skull to the upper torso. The area of vertebrae or cervical vertebrae has cervical discs that absorb shock between the bones. A combination of the bones, muscles, and ligaments in your neck provides support for your head. They also aid in its movement.
Many people experience stiffness and neck pain occasionally. Although it may not be serious, it can also be an indication of a serious injury or illness. Chiropractic care uses spinal manipulation to find the root cause of the pain. It then applies spinal adjustments to correct and deal with the root cause.
If you have neck pain that lasts for more than one week, you must seek medical attention immediately. You may first seek the help of a chiropractor before using medication or other invasive techniques to treat the pain.
Treatment Using Chiropractic Care
Neck pain can happen for a variety of reasons. These include injury, bad posture, muscle strain, or degenerative diseases. A chiropractor can tell you what the problem is and help you deal with it. So, where do they start?
Getting Your History
During chiropractic care, your chiropractor will ask you questions. These questions will help them get to know you better and trace the root cause of the pain. They will want to understand when you first remember feeling the pain. They will also want to know if you are receiving other treatments for the pain. The chiropractor will also want to know about your lifestyle and medical history.
A Physical Analysis
After the questions, the chiropractor will physically analyze your body. They will use their eyes, hands, and even technology. It still helps them to get to the root cause of your pain. They can ask to perform some neurological and physical exams.
During the neurological exam, they will check for nerve changes, muscle strength, and reflexes. They will then observe your range of motion, posture, and physical condition. After this, they will use their hands to palpate your spine gently. They will check the curvature and alignment and look to note any pain.
Cervical Adjustments
Many people are afraid of the cracking and popping sounds that chiropractic adjustments make. They think it is the sound of bones breaking. However, it is the sound of the release of pressure from the joints.
As your chiropractor performs cervical adjustments, you will hear these sounds. They mean that muscles and bones are aligning. Cervical adjustments are gentle and have minimal discomfort. They increase your range of motion and balance and bring relief from pain.
Aligning Muscle And Tissue
The treatment does not end with cervical adjustments. Your chiropractor will also work on your muscles and tissues. Sometimes, muscles become tense and tighten up. Other muscles and tissue may lose tone due to an injury. Your chiropractor will use stretching exercises together with other techniques to treat them. These techniques include heat therapy, ice pack, and massage.
Stretching Therapy
Stretching exercises help rehabilitate muscles and joints in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. They will help tense muscles relax and strengthen weak muscles. With the stretching and strengthening exercises, your body will heal quickly.
Chiropractic care will improve your quality of life. It will also help you do more than you can do before. Keep to your appointments and exercises.
For more information on treating neck pain with chiropractic care, visit O’Neill Chiropractic & Wellness at our office in Buffalo, New York. You can call today to schedule an appointment.