Neck pain is the second most common reason someone sees a chiropractor, wedged in-between back pain and headaches. About two thirds of people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives.
Like its back pain counterpart, neck pain can be broken down broadly into three categories: serious spinal pathology, nerve irritation, and uncomplicated mechanical neck pain.
A doctor will use a patient’s history, examination findings, imaging studies, and other tools at his/her disposal to rule out serious spinal pathology.
Nerve irritation in the neck is typically caused by excess pressure or tension. Albeit more serious than mechanical neck pain, it can still be treated conservatively ninety percent of the time.
The majority of neck pain is of mechanical origin. This comes in the form of joint dysfunction, myofascial trigger points, spinal disc injury, sprain/strain, etc...
Being that neck pain is usually a mechanical problem, it makes sense that a mechanical treatment is often the best solution. Manual therapy (muscle and joint manipulation/mobilization) of the cervical spine consistently outperforms commonly prescribed anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, and muscle relaxers in research.
A 2005 article in American Family Physician stated that manual treatments for uncomplicated neck pain were likely to be beneficial, compared to drug and other treatments.
In one trial, 183 patients were assigned to three different treatment groups: manual therapy, physical therapy, and general practitioner care. The manual therapy group received significantly more favorable results compared to patients assigned to the physical therapy and general practitioner groups.
In addition to being more effective, manual therapy typically costs less as well.
An article in the British Medical Journal demonstrated that manual therapy was both more effective and less costly than care delivered in the general practice setting.
Many patients are apprehensive about manual therapy being performed on the necks. It’s normal. Maybe we’ve all watched too many Chuck Norris movies. Rest assured that manual therapists are familiar with this apprehension and will work with you at your comfort level.
Relative to other treatments, manual therapy performed on the neck is regarded as safe. One study concluded that, “The best evidence indicates that cervical manipulation for neck pain is much safer than the use of NSAIDs, by as much as a factor of several hundred times.”
To sum it up, manual therapy for neck pain appears to be more effective, cheaper, and safer than medications and other forms of treatment. If you are suffering from neck pain, I highly suggest you make an appointment with a doctor that practices manual therapy.
If you would like more information, feel free to call (304-840-2820) or stop by the office. No appointments are necessary, and consultations are free. You can also email me at DocLeviChiropractic@yahoo.com.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Levi G. Merritt, D.C., CPT, CHC
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