Chiropractic and neck pain go hand-in-hand or, should I say, neck-in-hand. Are you suffering from neck pain? Does the idea of seeing a chiropractor for their “popping” and “clicking” chiropractic treatments fill you with dread or excitement?
Neck pain can be caused by a range of problems. Posture, repetitive strain, injury from whiplash, or direct trauma can all result in neck problems. Whatever the cause it’s worth trying to do something about it.
If you are suffering from neck pain then there are a few things you should know before seeing a chiropractor.
They will not dive straight in with treatment. Your chiropractor will first carry out a proper consultation. They will start by taking a thorough history and carry out a physical examination. They should then be able to reach a diagnosis as to what is causing your pain. If they think they can help with chiropractic treatment, then they’ll formulate a treatment plan for you.
They will then explain their findings, answering any questions or concerns you might have.
As with any medical and healthcare treatment, it is important that you, as the patient, understand what the problem is with the proposed treatment plan and any potential risks.
There are various treatment options open to the chiropractor. The kinds of techniques and treatments they use will depend on the kind of neck pain you are suffering with. They will also consider your personal preference. Some people love chiropractic “popping” and “clicking” techniques; some people loathe them!
Rest assured, if you don’t like the “popping” and “clicking”, chiropractic usually has a range of other techniques. Some chiropractors combine their manipulative techniques with acupuncture, massage, stretches, and exercises.
Some chiropractors work closely with sports massage therapists to benefit the patient with a truly integrated approach to their healthcare.
As well as hands-on treatment, chiropractors may give you some neck pain self-help tips. There is a range of stretches and exercises to help with most musculoskeletal problems. Once the chiropractor has identified the cause and any associated dysfunction, they can tell you what to do to look after yourself at home.
There is a range of postures that can put more pressure on your neck.
The upper-crossed syndrome seems to be increasingly common, possibly associated with people working for longer periods hunched over laptops and mobile devices. Check out this blog for some self-help tips and advice for upper-crossed syndrome.
Over 50% of people suffer from at least one headache a year. In some cases, the headaches can be generated by neck problems.
Headaches arising from your neck can be called “cervicogenic headaches”. There is a range of potential links between neck problems and headaches. Sometimes the body confuses the neurological signals from your neck pain for head pain. Also, stiff tight muscles and joints can put physical strain – again referring up to give you head pain.
Typically, cervicogenic headaches are felt at the back of the head (sub-occipital region) and can refer around to the front (frontal region). They are generally a dull background headache and don’t typically have any other associated symptoms, apart from neck pain or stiffness.
These cervicogenic headaches can respond with chiropractic treatment.
Your chiropractor will first identify if you have cervicogenic headaches and will then work with you to create the best treatment plan for you.
If you are a headache sufferer, you can also try some of these self-help tips: avoid sugar or caffeine highs; encourage regular exercise; drink plenty of water, and slash that screen time!
If these simple self-help tips do not help, then consider seeking medical or another healthcare professional’s help.
If you’d like to find out more, this website: www.BackBlog.co.uk has hundreds of useful health-related blogs available to search.
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