How Can Chiropractic Help with Neck Pain?

Most people know that chiropractors can help with pain near the spine. In fact, more people go to chiropractors for neck and back pain than for any other symptom. And it makes sense that they can help relieve pain in these areas because they are experts in the musculoskeletal system. But have you ever wondered why exactly chiropractic is so effective at getting rid of neck pain? We would love to dive into the science of chiropractic and explain just how incredible it is. 

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The Science of Chiropractic

Just about everyone has at least one spinal misalignment, meaning one (or more) vertebra is twisted or shifted out of place. While that may not seem like a huge deal, particularly if they are only out of place by the tiniest margin, it can actually cause a myriad of problems far worse than pain and discomfort.

The spinal cord runs through the spine, and it’s the information highway between the brain and the rest of the body. The brain sends messages to the various systems of the body, telling them what to do to ensure proper function. But if one vertebra is not in the right place, it can put pressure on the nerves in the spinal cord and those nearby, and it can interrupt that message being sent properly. This leads to dysfunction in the body’s systems and in how the brain is now sending and receiving messages.
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Spinal misalignments can bring about significant issues when ignored for a long time, such as chronic pain, chronic diseases, and recurring problems. However, they can also cause pain. While pain is generally seen as the first indication that something is wrong, it is actually more likely to be one of the later symptoms of an underlying issue. Only about 10% of the nerves in the body can feel pain, so more often than not, you won’t feel pain when something is amiss. That makes it even more important for you to get checked out when you are feeling pain.

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Neck Pain and Chiropractic

Injuries, illnesses, sleeping awkwardly, looking down at technology, and more can cause neck pain. All of these things can cause misalignments in the vertebrae, but they can also lead to muscle pain, tension, and tightness that can contribute to the pain. When one of your vertebrae is pushed to one side, the muscles on one side are shortened and those on the other side are lengthened. This can be uncomfortable and cause pain and decreased range of motion. Since the vertebrae in your neck are also closely connected to the nerves in that area, those misalignments can also lead to problems with eyesight, hearing, sinuses, the thyroid, brain development, and much more.
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As you can see, neck pain is just the tip of the iceberg. If you are dealing with pain in your neck or anywhere else in your spine, it’s a surefire sign that you have some spinal misalignments. Don’t wait to get them checked out, as they will often cause more problems when left unchecked. Contact Dr. Shane Hoffman at Thrive Family Chiropractic today to schedule a consultation and get yourself and your family on the road to pain-free living and improved function.

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Sources
Alcantara, J., Fleuchaus, S., Oman, R. “Resolution of Torticollis, Neck Pain and Vertebral Subluxation in a Pediatric Patient Undergoing Chiropractic Care.” Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, and Family Health, 2009 Nov: 1-9.

Maltby, J.K., Harrison, D.D., Harrison, D.E., Betz, J.W, Ferrantelli, J.R., Clum, G.W. “Frequency & Duration of Chiropractic Care for Headaches, Neck and Upper Back Pain.” Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, 2008 Aug: 1-12.

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