Neck Pain
The Chiropractic Approach
Neck Pain affects up to 75% of us at some time during our life, and up to 21% of us at any given time. This is more common in office and those that use computers regularly. Neck Pain is one of the biggest reasons for disability and time lost at work.
Neck Pain is common, but not normal.
What is causing my neck pain?
Most causes of neck pain are considered "non-specific" or "mechanical" , meaning that there is no known serious underlying pathology. In other words, the pain you are feeling is coming from the function of your spine and the supporting anatomy around your spine, such as muscles, joints and nerves. These structures become irritated most commonly due to postural irritation.
Your head weighs about 5 kg and must be properly supported by the rest of your spine. If you spend many hours or perform repetitive tasks with a forward head posture, neck pain is inevitable due to the forces involved. Of course, sudden trauma and injuries can also cause neck pain. Occasionally, neck pain can be caused by problems such as fracture, infections, disc injuries or bony disorders.
How do chiropractors help with neck pain?
Chiropractors help to restore proper alignment to your spine, relieving pressure on your nervous system. Correction of misalignment's called "subluxations" in your spine result in positive outcomes for both acute and chronic neck pain. Once under control, your chiropractor can help you with preventative strategies by addressing your lifestyle and environment. Your chiropractor will also be able to help identify and rare problems that may be causing your neck pain and may need further investigation.
Patient Satisfaction with Chiropractic
Numerous studies have shown chiropractors to rate among the highest in patient satisfaction. This high satisfaction is related to overall effectiveness of care, patient communication and providing useful advice and information regarding your health and wellness.
A wellness approach
It's important for you to realise that chiropractic is not a "cure" for neck pain. In reality, your body does all of the healing; chiropractors are there to help ensure proper movement of your spine and freedom for your nervous system, which maximises your body's ability to heal itself. As always, it's important to realise that true wellness comes from the combination of many lifestyle choices - your chiropractor will be able to help you form effective lifestyle habits to reduce future episodes of neck pain.
