Back and neck pain are extremely common, and almost everyone will experience one or both in their lifetime. There are numerous causes of pain in these areas, and if treatment does not occur, the pain can become chronic and make an individual susceptible to additional injuries.
For many injuries of the back and neck, chiropractic care can deliver professional medical advice and effective treatment that not only can result in pain relief but also treats the cause of the problem, so the issue does not return.
The American Chiropractic Association has found that chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment for certain types of pain without resorting to harmful or addictive medication.
Back pain is a leading reason for disability, and it results in missed work and various doctor appointments. Low back pain is more common, but upper back pain occurs as well.
The various causes of back pain include:
Injuries to the back can occur from a traumatic event such as a car accident, sports accident or fall. However, injuries can also result from repetitive motions or lifestyle habits such as sitting for long periods of time.
Lifting incorrectly and poor posture are also a common causes of back injuries. A back pain injury can result in severe pain, general achiness, muscle spasms, a burning sensation or radiating pain to other areas. Certain movements may also exacerbate the symptoms.
Many of the causes of neck pain are similar to those that cause back pain: Arthritis, muscle sprain, disc degeneration, disc herniation, and nerve pressure. Neck pain often originates in the cervical spine area or neck muscles.
Symptoms, including chronic neck pain, can result from a variety of things, including:
Whiplash is a common reason people seek chiropractic for neck pain. It results from a blow to the head and neck, such as from a rear-end car accident. This motion causes injury to the soft tissues and nerves of the neck, which can lead to pain and other symptoms such as tingling, dizziness and headaches.
Although some rarer causes of neck or back pain, such as cancer, require medical attention, chiropractic can help treat many individuals with pain. Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that focuses on the musculoskeletal system, and especially the nerves. The nerves make up the spinal cord, and they control everything in the body.
Nerves exit between spinal vertebrae at different levels of the spine. Because the spinal bones can move, they can place pressure on the nervous system, whether it is the spinal cord itself or individual nerves, which results in dysfunction.
Short term results of nerve pressure may include muscle tension or pain. If left untreated, this can result in not only symptoms such as pain and numbness, but it can also cause the organs to not work as efficiently.
A chiropractor receives extensive training to find the areas of nerve pressure and move the spinal bones in a particular manner to remove the pressure and restore proper function. This is an adjustment or spinal manipulation, and it is a major part of the treatment process.
Many medical treatments for pain just cover up symptoms. In contrast, chiropractic takes a full-healing approach to care and focuses on fixing the root of the problem. The main purpose of chiropractic adjustments, like through procedures like cervical manipulation, is to remove nerve pressure, which is often the cause of the injury. As a result, not only does pain go away, but the body functions better as a result.
Chiropractic treatment keeps nerve signals flowing, and this can prevent a variety of other problems. If nerve pressure remains untreated, symptoms get worse and the shape of the spinal column can change, which leads to degeneration, arthritis, and bulging discs. Getting a chiropractic adjustment as soon as symptoms appear is better than waiting, as acute issues are easier to treat than chronic ones.
A chiropractor is also able to detect spinal misalignments even before symptoms appear. People who are proactive start getting the care they need, and this can help maintain range of motion and often prevent symptoms from showing up at all.
For example, many symptoms from car accidents show up hours or days after the crash. If someone schedules an appointment immediately after a wreck, the chiropractor can perform spinal alignment and before the patient even knows there’s a problem.
Chiropractic is so effective because it is specific. General adjustments in the area of pain are not as effective as adjustments specifically targeting the areas of injury. To find the cause of the symptoms, the chiropractor conducts a thorough physical exam that analyses ranges of motions, joint mobility, muscle strength, nerve function, reflexes and other orthopedic functions.
The chiropractor also palpates the spine and associated soft tissues. He or she may also use motion palpation to detect which spinal bones are stuck. The chiropractor may take X-rays of the spine. This shows misalignments as well as the amount of degeneration in the spine, which gives an indication of how long the problem has been there. At the completion of the exam, the chiropractor knows how best to care for the patient and how many visits it may take.
A chiropractor for back pain and neck pain focuses on using natural approaches to heal the whole body. Even though spinal misalignments and associated nerve pressure may be the main issues, a chiropractor may recommend additional therapies to help heal injured muscles, so the patient feels better faster.
During a visit, the chiropractor may apply hot or cold treatment, use relaxation techniques, or apply muscle stimulation to prepare the muscles for the adjustment. This is more common for acute pain.
Once the patient completes the initial phase of care, the chiropractor may recommend a treatment plan with exercises or manual therapies to stabilize the area, which prevents the issue from returning. Depending on the situation, the chiropractor may also recommend massage or acupuncture.
If you are experiencing pain, there is a good chance you would benefit from seeing a back pain chiropractor. At Chiropractic Approach, we can treat pain caused by various things, and we can sometimes prevent chronic issues. We accept some health insurance plans including no-fault and workers’ compensation.
Contact us today to schedule an initial visit or consultation.
Neck pain can significantly impact your day, making it harder to get around, concentrate on work, and get a good night’s sleep. Many causes of neck pain are a result of misalignment of cervical vertebrae. A neck pain chiropractor has specialized training to target and treat pain emanating from an injured neck. Read on to learn more about neck pain and how chiropractors treat it.
Contact us today to speak to a neck pain chiropractor in Queens, NY!
Doctors and other medical professionals divide the vertebra in the spine into three main sections based on its position relative to the rest of the body:
Each section of the spine corresponds to a specific type of spinal injury. All other things being equal, cervical spine injuries can be the most serious as they can result in full-body paralysis or death. Even a minor cervical injury can cause intense spine, neck, and shoulder pain, along with headaches, reduced range of motion, and difficulties sleeping.
Neck pain is an extremely common condition, affecting nearly 27 out of every 1,000 people. Neck pain is often a result of cervical irritation and damage, which itself can have several causes.
Probably the most common cause of neck pain is a strained muscle, tendon, or ligament. Your neck alone has over 30 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, so strains are highly possible. Neck strains can be a result of a specific instance, such as an awkward movement, or be caused by constant use and strain.
Neck pain and cervical irritation are also often a result of physical trauma, such as a car accident. Whiplash occurs when sudden acceleration causes the head to snap in a direction, putting strain on the neck and upper back and affecting the nerves, muscles, and spinal discs.
Neck pain can also be a result of poor posture or repetitive motion stress. For example, sitting hunched over at a desk for prolonged periods can strain the neck muscles, as well as improper exercise or weightlifting. Repeated movements or postures wear down joints and muscles, leading to chronic, dull, throbbing pain in the neck and upper back.
Arthritis is a degenerative skeletomuscular condition that wears away cartilage at the joints. Arthritis can cause bone spurs and rough points, which put pressure on nerves, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Vertebrae have small, liquid-filled discs between them to allow flexibility and absorb impacts. Trauma or repetitive motion can tear the membrane of a disc or cause it to slip out of place. The bulging disc puts pressure on the spine, causing a shooting burning sensation that can radiate up into the neck and into the extremities.
Chiropractors work through adjusting spinal alignment to reduce pressure on the vertebrae, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. There are several chiropractic treatments a neck pain chiropractor can use to target some of the major causes of neck pain, such as the ones listed below.
Spinal alignment and decompression are techniques in which the chiropractor makes a series of high-velocity, low-amplitude movements to realign and reduce pressure on the vertebrae. Neck manipulation and neck adjustments seek to increase spinal mobility and reduce nearby tension that is putting pressure on the vertebrae.
Deep tissue massages activate deep muscle tissue, reducing muscle tension, producing endorphins, and increasing blood flow in the affected area. Tissue massages can target sensitive muscles and connective tissues in the neck and upper back that contribute to neck pain.
Chiropractors can also teach several relaxation and strengthening techniques, such as stretches, exercises, and at-home routines. These techniques help you manage pain during your daily life and reduce the risk of strain from repetitive motion activities. One study found that regular exercise can reduce the risk of future neck pain by as much as 53%.
Electric muscle stimulation uses small pulses of electrical activity to stimulate muscles and nerves. Electrical activity can also increase blood flow to the area, which can help old injuries heal properly and stop producing pain.
In addition to chiropractor appointments, you can take several steps on your own to manage and reduce the risk of neck pain.
Below are some common questions we receive about cervical adjustments and neck pain.
Yes, neck chiropractors are trained professionals and, when performed by a qualified expert, chiropractor spinal alignment is safe and carries several benefits. One study found that three-month chiropractor appointments reduced reported neck pain by an average of 0.40 points in all groups.
After a neck appointment, you should avoid strenuous activity, such as exercise or lifting heavy objects.
Most chiropractor appointments take anywhere between 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the patient’s needs.
Our doctors accept some insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day Appointments may be available. If you need a neck pain chiropractor after a car accident, contact Chiropractic Approach online or call today at (718) 275-1313 to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor for neck pain!
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