Neck Pain, Stiffness and Radiculopathy
The neck, or cervical section of the spine, is a crucial area of the body since it supports the skull and brain. While mild stiff necks are a common complaint, more serious neck pain, particularly pain that is radicular, or travels down the arm, may be cause for concern. There are two types of neck pain: mechanical, which is caused by injury and subsequent inflammation of the soft tissues of the region, and cervical radiculopathy.
While mechanical neck pain is typically the result of a pulled muscle, ligament or facet joint, cervical radiculopathy usually results from degeneration or herniation of a disc that results in a compressed ("pinched") nerve. Radicular pain is often accompanied by numbness, tingling, or muscular weakness along the arm and fingers. Radicular pain may also radiate into the shoulders and upper back or result in headaches. Reflexes in the area may also be affected.
Chiropractic Treatment of Neck Pain
Studies have shown that neck pain of either type may respond well to chiropractic adjustment. In addition to manual manipulations of the region, chiropractors typically use a combination of techniques to ease the patient's pain and restore a normal range of motion. These techniques may include:
- Ice
- Traction
- Deep tissue massages
- Electrical stimulation
- Ultrasound
- Stretching
- Passive range of motion
On occasion, depending on the individual patient's condition, the chiropractor may recommend rest and icing for a day or two before any treatment is begun. Sometimes, a temporary neck brace may be recommended to immobilize the neck, preventing further nerve irritation. Patients should not put on neck braces, however, without consulting with a medical professional and should never wear such a brace for more than a few days since such devices may impede the healing process.
Because the cervical spine is a very delicate area, and because some patients object to cavitation (the cracking sound that accompanies the release of gas from the joint) in this region, chiropractors often limit their treatment of neck pain to more gentle forms of adjustment, using slower movements and softer thrusts as they work on the neck. Most doctors of chiropractic are conservative in dealing with this region and take a full medical history and any necessary diagnostic images before beginning a therapy program.
Typically, patients experience relief after the first few chiropractic treatments. While mechanical neck pain normally resolves with 3 weeks, patients with radicular symptoms report a 60 percent improvement after 6 weeks of therapy, and it may take as long as 5 months for them to experience a full return of sensation and grip strength.
Advantages of Chiropractic Treatment for Neck Pain
Unlike many types of allopathic care, chiropractic care approaches the patient from a holistic point of view. Chiropractors work by correcting misalignments of the spine in order to help the body heal itself. Chiropractic care in non-invasive, does not require medication, is not painful, and usually provides some measure of immediate relief.