Do you find yourself rolling your shoulders or turning your neck, trying to ease the pain? Maybe you were recently in a car crash and sustained a whiplash injury. Sometimes, bad posture and staring at a screen all day can cause neck pain, too.
In fact, the prevalence of neck pain in the US ranges from 13 to 16%. About 13% of patients visit chiropractors to ease their neck pain. Some patients go to ease their headaches, which is usually associated with neck pain, too.
Wondering how a chiropractor in Brandon can treat your neck pain? Keep reading to discover the chiropractic treatments for neck pain that can help!
By reading this guide, you could find the best way to ease your pain. Read on to learn more.
1. Manual Manipulation
During your first appointment, your chiropractor will determine your source of neck pain. They’ll take your medical history and determine if you’ve been in an accident or sustained a recent injury. They might also order an imaging test, such as an MRI or X-ray.
Learning about your daily habits and lifestyle can also help your chiropractor determine the root problem.
Once the chiropractor diagnoses the issue, they can determine which treatments for neck pain best suit your situation.
You might have a neck condition such as:
- Facet joint sprain
- Cervical intervertebral disc injuries
- Degenerative joint syndrome
- Whiplash
- Cervical sprain injuries Your chiropractor might decide on a mix of treatments to treat your pain.
Manual Manipulations
One of the most popular chiropractic treatments is manual manipulations. Manual manipulations allow your chiropractor to use their hands to apply quick force. This form of treatment can ensure your spine is in alignment.
Ensuring your spine is aligned can ease the pressure on your neck and help alleviate your pain.
When scheduling an appointment with a chiropractor in Brandon, make sure they’re licensed and experienced. Don’t try to align your neck on your own. Trying an at-home technique could make the pain worse or lead to disability.
Aligning your central nervous system will also improve your blood flow. Your blood carries essential nutrients throughout your body. Your body needs these nutrients in order to heal from an injury.
If your blood can’t flow, you might experience chronic inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s natural process for healing. Over time, however, inflammation can cause pain and swelling.
In some cases, your chiropractor might utilize the flexion-distraction technique. This technique involves a pumping action instead of direct force. This technique is a gentle way to relieve pressure on your intervertebral disc.
Your chiropractor might combine manual manipulation treatment with instrument-assistant manipulation. This process involves using a hand-held instrument to apply force to your spine without thrusting.
2. Acupuncture
If manual manipulation isn’t enough to ease your neck pain, your chiropractor might also suggest acupuncture.
Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points along energy pathways, or meridians. According to traditional beliefs, inserting needles into your meridians can influence how your body functions, including pain. It’s believed that medical conditions can occur if your pathways are blocked.
Acupuncture might also help ease your pain by encouraging pain-relieving chemical messengers to release through your nervous system.
Stimulating pressure points throughout your neck could help soothe your aching muscles.
In addition to acupuncture, your chiropractor might also suggest trigger point therapy. Trigger points are sensitive spots in your soft tissue. Rubbing and pressing on your pressure points might provide pain relief.
Trigger point therapy could also relieve any headaches and low back pain you’re experiencing.
3. Ultrasound
Your chiropractor might also combine psychotherapeutic modalities with therapeutic ultrasound treatments. An ultrasound can help increase your blood circulation, which will promote healing. By warming your soft tissues and sore muscles, ultrasounds can also ease tight muscles that feel sore.
During an ultrasound treatment, your chiropractor will use a probe against your neck. The probe will send high-frequency sound waves to your tissue and muscles. You’ll likely notice a gentle heat, which can ease your inflammation and pain.
Once your blood flows properly, your neck muscles will receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal.
4. Physical Therapy
Common treatments for neck pain also include physical therapy exercises. Your chiropractor can walk you through a customized list of exercises you can use at home or at work. These exercises can help you strengthen the muscles in your neck.
Over time, these exercises can help improve your range of motion and flexibility.
5. Massage Therapy
Your chiropractor might also utilize massage therapy to treat your pain.
Regular massages can loosen the muscles in your neck. In addition to easing your pain, massages can also promote relaxation and blood flow.
Remember, your body uses blood flow to ensure injured areas heal properly.
Regular massages can also ease your stress, headaches, and energy levels. About 54% of people list medical concerns as their reason for getting a massage.
6. Improving Your Posture
Your home environment could contribute to your neck and back pain. For example, you might add to your neck pain by:
- Sleeping on your stomach, which can cause neck strain
- Using traditional crunches and sit-ups during your exercise routine, which can make the pain worse
- Staring down at your phone all day
- Crossing your legs, which adds pressure to your lower back
- Slouching in your chair
- Spending too much time in one position
There are about 12 to 15 pounds of weight in the human head. Turning your head down to look at your phone can strain those muscles. Your bones and discs will push together, which can contribute to your neck pain.
Your chiropractor can also provide you with tips for improving your posture. For example, they might suggest a standing desk or pillow for neck pain.
7. Diet and Nutrition
Obesity can impact your posture as well. If you’re trying to lose weight and manage your inflammation, you might consider foods that offer anti-inflammatory properties. Remember, chronic inflammation can contribute to your pain.
Speak to your doctor about ways you can improve your diet to ease your pain. For example, you might consider adding tomatoes, fatty fish like salmon, and green leafy vegetables to your daily diet.
Treat Your Neck Pain: 7 Ways a Chiropractor in Brandon Can Help
Stop living in pain! Instead, consider visiting a chiropractor in Brandon, Florida. They can help treat your neck pain, allowing you to live life to the fullest.
Ready to say goodbye to your neck pain? Ease the pain away with one of these treatments for neck pain! Visit one of our locations today to find a Preferred Injury Physician in your area.