Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain - Common Questions

What causes neck pain?

There are several potential causes of neck pain, including:

Acute neck pain can be related to a variety of incidents, including:

• Falls
• Work-related injuries
• Sports injuries
• Personal injuries

Whether your neck pain was caused by a specific incident or injury or developed over time, chiropractic care can help you treat it.

What are the symptoms associated with neck pain?

Symptoms of neck pain manifest in different ways. The most common symptom is discomfort in your neck and the muscles in the surrounding area. However, there are different types of pain, including:

• Tingling
• Stiffness
• Dull pain
• Loss of sensation
• Burning
• Limited range of motion

Additionally, often depending on the cause of the pain, people with neck pain might also experience emotional symptoms, including:

• Insomnia or other sleep disturbances
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• PTSD

Temporary, mild to moderate neck pain is rarely a major issue. But over time, if the pain interferes with your enjoyment of life, you’re more likely to develop emotional symptoms. These problems are even more likely when your neck pain is linked to a devastating incident like a fall or car wreck.

How can a chiropractor help with neck pain?

Chiropractic care is one of the most effective options for treating neck pain.

It helps reduce swelling and inflammation. It’s also a natural option that includes no OTC or prescription medications, and you can use it in combination with these methods. But it also stands alone for people who want to avoid reliance on potentially addictive medications.

Chiropractic care is safe and effective and can be used throughout a person’s life to manage pain and enhance the quality of life.

Is massage or chiropractic care better for neck pain?

One is not necessarily better than the other for treating neck pain. Instead, you should use the two in combination with each other for the most comprehensive treatment plan. Each focuses on a different aspect of healing and pain management.

Chiropractic treatment realigns the neck and spine vertebrae, alleviating pressure on the nerves.

Massage, on the other hand, relaxes the muscles and enhances cell metabolism and new cell growth.

Does chiropractic treatment for neck pain hurt?

Some people are reluctant to try chiropractic treatments because they believe they are painful, which should never be the case.

The goal of chiropractic treatment is to alleviate pain. It is gentle and safe. If you have concerns about whether it’s uncomfortable, consider sharing those concerns with a chiropractor. They’ll explain the process and ease you into treatment to alleviate any of your anxiety or concerns.

Is it ok to “pop” my own neck?

One of the reasons people falsely believe chiropractic manipulation and treatment to be painful is because they think it’s all about “popping” the neck. Some people even wonder if they can “pop” their neck at home.

Although you might be tempted to try neck manipulation at home, doing so can cause increased pain and further injury. It might also cause misalignment and joint instability, causing tingling, numbness, and worse.

It’s always better to leave chiropractic care and manipulation of the neck and spine to an experienced professional.

Can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve in the neck?

Yes, chiropractic neck pain treatment can alleviate a pinched nerve.

Pinched nerves trigger a variety of symptoms, including:

• Numbness or tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Pain

There is no guarantee that chiropractic care will fix a pinched nerve, but it’s a great place to start before pursuing more aggressive treatment.

Are neck adjustments safe?

Yes.

Chiropractic manipulation and other treatments, including neck adjustment, are safe and effective if performed by an experienced chiropractor.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, “neck manipulation is a remarkably safe procedure.”

There are relatively few side effects and no risk of addiction. Many people use chiropractic care their entire life to fix problems and maintain the health of their spine and neck.

What happens when you get your neck adjusted?

Knowing what to expect during a chiropractic adjustment goes a long way in feeling comfortable and at ease with your treatment.

The “crack” or “pop” experienced during a neck adjustment is called cavitation. It removes the restricted joint movement, reducing pain signals and allowing for an increase in range of motion and pain relief.

How effective is chiropractic treatment for neck pain?

Chiropractic treatment is incredibly effective. It’s a proven therapy that offers neck pain relief and healing. There is a great deal of research and case studies supporting the effectiveness of this treatment.

Unfortunately, many people still view chiropractic adjustment as alternative or ineffective.

How often should you get your neck adjusted?

Neck adjustments are safe and non-addictive. They can treat an injury several times a month. Some people even schedule adjustments every week or two to maintain alignment.

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.