Everyone knows what it’s like to have neck pain. Whether it’s after a long drive, holding the phone between the head and shoulder, or star-gazing. There are many causes of neck pain. The question is, how do chiropractic adjustments help neck pain?
Chiropractic Breakdown
Chiropractic, when broken down into fundamental Greek derivatives, means “hand” (cheir) and “action” (praxis). The technique often associated with chiropractic treatment is spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation is when a “high velocity, low amplitude” thrust is applied to specific vertebrae in the spine. It restores mobility in an area with restricted movement and stimulates the sensory “neuroreceptors” in joint capsules. This can create a muscle relaxing reflex effect. Also, it can affect surrounding neurological structures in certain parts of the spine. Neurological structures include the parasympathetic (cranial & sacral regions) and sympathetic (mid-back) nervous systems. The structures have beneficial effects on the digestive system, cardiovascular system, and other body systems.
Joint manipulation can be traced back as early as 400 BCE. The chiropractic profession began in the late 1800s and has grown in popularity ever since. There is currently an overwhelming body of evidence that supports spinal manipulation as safe and highly effective for neck pain, back pain, headaches, and more.
Conclusion
There are many different types of manual therapies that chiropractors use when caring for neck pain patients. There’s “low-velocity, low amplitude” or non-thrust techniques that don’t produce the “cracking” noise. The term “mobilization” reference these non-thrust methods. This incorporates a combination pulling of the neck left to right, and front to back “gliding” movements usually starting lightly and gradually increasing the pressure as tolerated. A chiropractor may utilize a combination of manipulation and mobilization as well as “trigger point therapy” depending on a patient’s needs.
