Can a Chiropractor Help With Neck Pain?

Do you suffer from neck pain? Maybe you find it difficult to turn your head from side to side. If so, then you need to get checked out!

Compared to traditional medications, chiropractic care for neck pain is a practical, natural alternative. Additionally, conservative treatments are an excellent way to improve your range of motion and alleviate pain. 

Are you interested in learning more about chiropractic care for neck pain?

Keep reading, because in this article we will answer common questions like: 

• Can a chiropractor fix neck pain? 
• When should I go to the chiropractor for neck pain? 
• How can I identify common causes of neck pain?
• And much more

Table of Contents

• Does Chiropractic Care Help With Neck Pain?
• When Should I Go To the Chiropractor for Neck Pain? 
• Identifying Common Causes of Neck Pain
• Can a Chiropractor Relieve Neck Pain?
• What Can a Chiropractor Do for Neck Pain?: 5 Techniques and Treatments 
• Can a Chiropractor Make Neck Pain Worse?
• Start Your Journey Towards Being Pain-Free with Cascade Spine & Injury Center

Does Chiropractic Care Help With Neck Pain?

If you are suffering from neck pain, you are not alone. It is estimated that up to 75 percent of the people in the world have experienced chronic or acute neck pain.

And when it comes to treating neck pain, chiropractic care plays an important role.

When Should I Go To the Chiropractor for Neck Pain?  

Many people have difficulty detecting neck pain right away since neck pain has a way of sneaking up on you. 

Several types of neck and shoulder pain aren’t immediately debilitating, so people often put the pain off and attribute it to stress, hoping they will eventually go away.

Meanwhile, their …

• Daily habits
• Bad posture; and 
• Lifestyle 

… continue to aggravate the situation.

Chiropractic care can be beneficial to people suffering from neck pain for several reasons:

• It can allow pain to be treated without painkillers
• It addresses the underlying issue rather than relying on medications to treat symptoms
• You can learn how to prevent neck pain from recurring with lifestyle advice
• You’ll likely sleep better at night and feel less stressed during the day

A chiropractor should be consulted as soon as possible if you have neck pain to determine whether the discomfort is caused by long-term habits or short-term stress. It is also possible that a physical disability is visibly manifesting itself through your pain.

Identifying Common Causes of Neck Pain

Necks are among the most delicate parts of the body.

Inflammation or injury of any …

• Bone
• Muscle; or
• Ligament

… can cause significant pain in this area.

As a result, you may have difficulty moving your head or find that you cannot function due to stiffness and pain. 

Chiropractors must determine the exact cause of your pain so they can devise a plan of action to resolve it. 

Read on to find out the most common causes of neck pain. 

Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury that affects the:

• Muscles
• Tendons; and
• Other soft tissues of the neck

A whiplash injury occurs when the head is suddenly thrown into hyperextension, followed by flexion as the head is then thrown forward.

It’s most commonly caused by car accidents (often due to rear-endings). Although a less frequent occurrence, whiplash can also be caused by sports injuries or falls.

When you experience whiplash pain from an auto accident or another event, Cascade Spine & Injury Center is here to guide you through every step of the recovery process.

With over 20 years of experience treating accident and injury-related conditions, Cascade Spine & Injury Center experts provide quick, comprehensive, and effective care.

Don’t spend another day in pain — contact us today. 

Non-Direct Force Injuries

A non-direct force injury is also known as a “whiplash-type injury”.

For example – If you experience a fall, you might not land directly on your neck, but your body has been “jostled” and your neck is affected. 

Chiropractic care will focus on the affected area, thereby relieving the neck.

Sporting Accidents

Sports require us to push our bodies beyond what they are used to and sometimes, even beyond what they can take. 

Many different injuries can result from participating in sporting activities, but the majority affect the musculoskeletal system. 

When you play sports regularly, you can put a lot of wear and tear on your neck’s muscles and ligaments. 

One of the most significant benefits of chiropractic care for sports injuries is that it can help speed up the healing process, enabling you to recover more quickly. 

Can a Chiropractor Relieve Neck Pain?

Can a chiropractor relieve neck pain? Yes! 

Chiropractors believe that your body heals when your spine and joints are aligned correctly. They use natural, manual therapy to place your body in the best position for recovery. 

A chiropractor gets to the “root” of your neck pain rather than just treating the symptoms.

What Can a Chiropractor Do for Neck Pain?: 5 Techniques and Treatments 

A chiropractor may use a variety of treatments to treat neck pain. 

Chiropractic treatments for neck pain are usually gentle. These gentle chiropractic adjustments can provide several benefits.  

Read on to take a closer look at what a chiropractor can do for neck pain.

#1: Diagnosis

A patient’s treatment is tailored to their specific needs, as each patient is unique. 

Before treatment can begin, a chiropractic consultation or physical exam must be completed.

A chiropractor will discuss your medical history at your appointment, including any recent injuries you may have suffered. In addition, they ask about the type of pain you’re experiencing and whether it increases when you do specific movements. 

Chiropractors also want to know if your pain is accompanied by any red flags – which are symptoms that may indicate a more serious problem.

The chiropractor’s goal is to find:

• Weakness
• Tenderness; and
• Numbness in the muscle

To determine the very best treatment option for you, chiropractors utilize the information they have gathered, and in some cases, they may require further testing.

#2: Muscle Energy Work

In acute and chronic pain, muscle energy work can provide relief. Through the application of both touch and feel techniques and positioning techniques, muscle energy work attempts to change the position of muscles in the body. 

Chiropractors use “muscle energy” to ensure that muscles relax and lengthen to their optimum levels to perform and heal better. 

Pinning and Stretching

The pin and stretch technique focuses the force of a stretch on a specific muscle area. It breaks up scar tissue and adhesions in the muscles caused by injuries and years of overuse. 

While a part of the muscle is in a shortened state, your chiropractor will pin it down while you lengthen it.

Removing the scars and tight tissues allows for better circulation and function to the muscles in that area and a greater range of motion. 

Trigger Point Work

An area of stiffness and tightness in a muscle is considered a trigger point. It can disrupt daily activities, and even something as simple as reaching up can become difficult and painful.

A chiropractor who uses trigger point therapy may use their hands or a small instrument to relax the muscles by using concentrated force and movement to the area. 

It is best used on patients with tight muscles that limit their movement, and many patients find that their mobility improves after just one trigger point therapy session.

Dynamic Movement Work

Sore and achy muscles are targeted by dynamic movement work. 

Dynamic movement work involves movement of moderate intensity that does not exceed your normal range of motion, with increasing range and intensity as you progress. 

Exercises like these increase your flexibility and mobility by using your entire range of motion. 

#3: Activator Adjustments

An activator adjustment chiropractic technique utilizes a spring-loaded, hand-held mechanical instrument called an “activator adjusting instrument.” Chiropractors can use this instrument to deliver a quick, low-force impulse at specific points.

An activator adjustment provides two advantages:

1. High speed — The instrument’s speed makes it less likely that the muscles will tense in response and resist the treatment. Less muscle resistance makes the treatment more effective.
2. Controlled force — This type of applied force places the joint in no compromised positions, such as bending or twisting.

Pressure is applied to the tissues, either at the joint or near it. All you will feel is a slight jump in your muscles as if your reflexes are being tested.

#4: Manual Adjustment

Manual adjustments, which are adjustments by hand, are probably the most familiar technique.

While performing a manual adjustment, the chiropractor uses his or her hands to manipulate the spine to achieve the desired results. 

Chiropractic manual adjustments involve …

• Manipulating
• Massaging
• Mobilizing
• Adjusting
• Stimulating; or
• Applying traction

… to influence the spine or related tissues with the hands.

Although there may be some discomfort, this usually only lasts for a short period. Most patients report feeling better quickly after an adjustment.

#5: At-Home Exercises 

A chiropractor may suggest you perform various exercises at home, depending on your condition and pain level. The purpose of these exercises is to maintain health and help manage your pain.

Several factors will affect the exercises you are asked to perform, including: 

• Medical history
• Pain location
• Pain severity; and
• Other treatments you are currently using

It is important to remember that at-home exercises are a beneficial form of chiropractic care. Your chiropractor can make sure that you are performing the exercises correctly at home to achieve the best results.

Can a Chiropractor Make Neck Pain Worse?

It is a common misconception that chiropractic adjustments can worsen pain, but no treatment can provide immediate relief. You might experience some soreness as you grow stronger, but think of it as going to the gym — your muscles need time to adjust to the experience.

Start Your Journey Towards Being Pain-Free with Cascade Spine & Injury Center

Do you suffer from neck pain? At Cascade Spine & Injury Center, we offer the best chiropractic care in Portland for neck pain treatment. 

As a chiropractic care physician, Dr. McClaren strives to provide dependable, results-oriented pain relief.

Every patient receives an individualized, comprehensive chiropractic treatment plan customized to meet the specific needs of a patient suffering from neck pain.

No matter how mild or debilitating your neck pain is, Dr. McClaren can diagnose and treat the source.

There is a wide range of insurance coverage available at Cascade Spine & Injury Center, including:

• Workers’ compensation
• Auto insurance
• Private Group Health Insurance
• And more

Additionally, we provide services to those without insurance.

Get started on your journey towards healing and comfort by contacting us today.