The neck, which is also referred to as the cervical spine, starts at the base of the skull, and it has seven smaller vertebrae. The cervical spine gives support to the full weight of the head, which is on the average, 8-12 pounds. While it can move the head in almost all directions, the cervical spine’s flexibility has a trade-off. It makes the neck more susceptible to injury and pain.
Chiropractic is an approach which manipulates the joints and spine to relieve neck pain. It is one popular therapy which does not involve medication and can be considered by so many people.
People who experience pain in the neck can resort to chiropractic care for help. Most even report that the work performed on them by chiropractors in Amarillo, not only brings relief for the pain but also addresses the pain source.
What is Neck Pain?
The neck acts as a bridge between the torso and the head in more than one way, many ligaments and muscles support the neck. That the obvious part. The less obvious function of the neck is that of proprioception. Proprioception is how we know where different parts of our body is in space without having to physically look at them. It plays a part in balance, eye movement & vision, and in the control of postural muscles. Proprioception even plays a part in how every individual spinal segment moves atop each other from day to day.
Pain in the neck most time occurs when the muscles, joints, and ligaments in the neck are inflamed or irritated.
Neck pain can range from minor pains to debilitating and excruciating pains. When it is combined with other symptoms, it can indicate an immediate need for attention.
What Causes Neck Pain?
These are some of the most typical causes of pain in the neck:
- Accident and Injury: A sudden forceful movement of the neck or the head in any direction and then the rebound in the opposite direction is called whiplash. This sudden motion causes injury to the surrounding as well as supporting tissues of the neck. The muscles of this area then react by tightening and contraction, which eventually creates muscle fatigue and then results in stiffness and pain. You have to picture essentially a bowling ball sitting atop a stack of bones. Any time you go from one speed to another in a millisecond, there will be undo strain and stress on the tissues. EVERY TIME.
- Growing Older: Disorders such as spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc diseases often affect the spine.
- Daily Life: Obesity, poor posture, and weak abdominal muscles can disrupt the balance of the spine. This makes the neck to bend forward to compensate for the imbalance. Emotional tension and stress can also cause the muscles to contract and tighten, which also results in stiffness and pain.
How Chiropractors diagnose neck pain
Our Amarillo chiropractor has gone the extra mile to get educated through the Diplomate of the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists (DACO). Dr. Jeff Williams will evaluate the spine wholly as other regions of your neck, mid-back, and lower back may be affected. Chiropractors will not only treat your spine but also treat you entirely as a person. You will get educated on how to manage stress, nutrition and lifestyle goals, all in combination with treatment plans for your neck pain.
Chiropractic Treatment for Neck Pain
We think our chiropractor is the best chiropractor in Amarillo and will likely combine manual therapy, spinal manipulation, and other techniques in the treatment plan for your neck pain.
Chiropractic delivers a non-invasive, gentle, and non-pharmacologic treatment called chiropractic adjustments. This sort of adjustment reduces joint dysfunction or joint restrictions in the joints and spine, all in the effort to minimize inflammation and at the same time, improve functions of the affected joints and nervous system. That’s just a small part of the puzzle though. When we add in massage, exercise/rehab, therapy, etc….well, our patients really respond quickly.
Below are some of the spinal manipulation techniques that your chiropractor may use on you:
- Flexion-distraction technique: This is a gentle and hands-on manipulation which involves the use of a pumping action on the intervertebral disc rather than the use of direct force.
- Instrument-assisted manipulation: This is the use of a hand-held instrument to help the chiropractor apply some level of force without thrusting deep into your spine.
- Specific manipulation of the spine: This helps in the restoration of joint movement with the use of a gentle thrusting mechanism.
To know if chiropractic care is the best for you, a chiropractor in Amarillo will perform a consultation and an examination of your joints and spines. If necessary, the chiropractor may also refer you to a diagnostic center to have an MRI or x-ray done, and he may even have to cross-check your past medical history.
In the end, if our chiropractor cannot help you, we will find someone that can.
Based on the findings of our consultation and examination, we may choose to treat the neck pain in conjunction with other professionals such as physical therapists, massage therapists, and other primary care medical personnel.
Call us at Creek Stone Integrated Care today at 806-355-3000 and let’s get you set up for an exam.
Creek Stone Integrated Care – Evidence-based, patient-centered teamwork getting results for our patients
Amarillo Chiropractor – Chiropractor Amarillo
