The Role of the Neck or Cervical Spine

The neck, or the cervical spine, comprises the first seven vertebrae in the spine. It starts below the skull and is the most flexible part of the spine. Pain in the neck can appear due to injury, muscle strain, uncomfortable sleeping position (inadequate pillow), poor posture, arthritis, or disc degeneration. These discs separate the small bones in the spine, prevent them from rubbing at each other, and act as shock absorbers. If a disc slips out of its place, it is called a herniated disc, and it can cause neck pain and other problems by putting pressure on spinal cord nerves. Neck pain chiropractic specializes in the health of the cervical spine and can treat the pain and the source of the problem.

So, the neck is an essential part of your body that you shouldn’t neglect, especially if you have intense pain that does not go away after a few hours. A chiropractor for neck pain can be the solution for your condition. According to spine-health.com, “Chiropractic is considered a first line of treatment for a range of cervical spine conditions.” The treatment aims to reduce pain, improve motion, and restore function of the affected area.

Gentle Neck Pain Chiropractic Therapy

The neck area is more sensitive than other parts of the spine because it holds the head’s weight with limited muscle support. There is a higher risk of injury from sudden and intense movements, so chiropractors apply more gentle techniques. These techniques include but are not limited to, cervical mobilization, cervical manual traction, cervical drop, and soft tissue technique.

Cervical mobilization consists of gentle neck stretches by moving the head side to side, forward and backward, rotating it at various degrees to ease tension and recover flexibility. Cervical manual traction is a similar technique applied by neck pain chiropractic therapy to reduce tightness in muscles and joints by gently pulling the neck to extend the cervical spine. The cervical drop technique is implemented with the help of a table with a headrest that can be locked in different positions, designed precisely for this purpose. The patient lies on the table, usually on their side, and the chiropractor touches or applies pressure on specific points, then releases the headrest, which drops a short distance. Soft tissue techniques involve neck massage, releasing muscle knots, and stimulating blood circulation in the cervical area, facilitating healing.

How Can a Chiropractor for Neck Pain Treat Headache?

Stress, hormone changes, lack of sleep, skipped meals, dehydration, etc. can trigger headaches. Neck pain and headaches are often related because of the nerves that connect the head and the face to the spinal cord. Muscles in the shoulders and neck become tight, leading to tension headaches. Cervicogenic headache is directly associated with neck problems and often appears as a unilateral pain that starts in the neck and then radiates to one side of the head. If you experience headaches regularly and medications do not stop the pain, you should consider visiting a chiropractor for neck pain.

Chiropractic therapy can treat not only your neck pain and stiffness but also your headaches by relieving tension in the muscles and joints of the neck. Chiropractic therapy can reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines by applying a combination of techniques. However, a terrible headache and stiff neck, fever, sensitivity to light, dizziness, or nausea can be signs of meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membrane that covers the spine and the brain. It can occur due to an infection and needs special medical treatment, depending on the type of infection.

Possible Risks of Chiropractic Neck Adjustment

You might be curious if any risks are involved once you book your appointment with a chiropractor for neck pain. Before applying any treatment, the chiropractor will comprehensively examine your condition. It is important to tell them if you had a neck injury or a strained muscle; all these details can be used to establish the diagnosis. Then, you will discuss the treatment plan together, and at this point, you can tell them if you’re uncomfortable with specific techniques.

Among minor side effects, like temporary sensitivity or soreness in the neck, there is a rare complication of chiropractic neck adjustment. This rare complication is called arterial dissection; in other words, the blood vessels that carry the blood from the heart to the brain could be torn. But you don’t need to worry about this condition because it is uncommon, and neck pain chiropractic pays particular attention to treating the cervical spine, so they use gentle methods.

Recommendations to Avoid Neck Pain

The cervical spine can be misaligned because of injury or sleeping in uncomfortable positions, but the tech neck is one of the most typical reasons. The tech neck is a term used to describe neck pain caused by excessive device use. In this modern world, when people do not leave their houses without their gadgets like phones, tablets, or laptops, it is unsurprising that one spends a lot of time looking down on a device. The muscles in the neck are continuously strained when you tilt your head, which can lead to muscle pain, posture problems, and, over time, pinched nerves or herniated disks. It is recommended to reduce the time spent using devices. If your job involves working on the computer for hours, place it at eye level and invest in an ergonomic chair with lower back support and adjustable armrests to keep your spine healthy. Regular breaks will also help; you can do stretching exercises to prevent neck pain.

A chiropractor for neck pain will show you specific exercises to ease muscle tension at home. They can also recommend special, ergonomic pillows of memory foam that support the head, neck, and shoulders. If you tend to sleep on your stomach, consider changing position because it puts tension on your neck and back. The chiropractor may recommend some lifestyle changes that include increased water intake (staying hydrated helps keep your spinal discs healthy), introducing regular physical activity, or quitting smoking.