Is chiropractic good for your neck and back pain?

More and more patients are realizing the incredible benefits and effectiveness of treating neck and back pain with conservative, non-addictive care.

Chiropractic treatments offer tremendous relief while helping you avoid other costly, invasive care options. It can remove the need for addictive prescription pain medications that come with a variety of side effects and help you avoid painful surgery and recovery.

While chiropractors can effectively treat most things that cause pain, the most common complaints patients seek relief for are neck pain, back pain, and headaches.

Dr. Cody Doyle has over two decades of successfully caring for patients with pain. During this time, he has helped over 100,000 patients find relief from a broad range of dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.

How does chiropractic help neck and back pain?

The most common cause of neck and back pain is the misalignment of the bones—or vertebra—in the spine. Chiropractic care involves spinal manipulations—also known as adjustments—to realign the spine. Because all the movements of the human body originate in the spine, misalignment can cause pain in muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves.

Spinal adjustments restore mobility to ligaments, joints, and muscles that are restricted or injured from repetitive stress or trauma. When the spine is properly aligned, the body can heal itself.

What can I expect during chiropractic care for neck and back pain?

The first thing Dr. Doyle will do is perform a thorough examination. This includes a complete medical history, a physical exam, range of motion testing, and x-rays. Depending on your symptoms and his findings, he may want to order additional diagnostic imaging, such as a CT or MRI.

If Dr. Doyle feels you are an appropriate candidate for chiropractic treatment, he will discuss all your options. The goal is to provide pain relief while restoring function and preventing future injury.

The most common mode of treatment is spinal manipulation, which uses controlled but sudden force to joints to realign the spine.

During treatment, Dr. Doyle may utilize:

1. Hands-on treatment. This involves the use of his hands and arms to massage and apply high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts.
2. A drop table. This is a special table with sections that Dr. Doyle can drop down during spinal manipulations.
3. A special device that delivers gentle impulses to the spine.

Depending on your unique desires, needs, and diagnoses, Dr. Doyle will create a customized treatment plan for you. This may include suggestions for additional alternative solutions to achieve optimum results. Some examples of complementary therapy services include:

• Acupuncture
• Myofascial release therapy
• Ultrasound
• Muscle stimulation
• A nutritional and herbal plan
• Home exercises
• Hot and cold therapy

Who should seek chiropractic care for neck and back pain?

Certain patients may not be a good candidate for chiropractic care.

For example, patients with the following conditions may need to seek other treatment for neck and back pain:

• Spinal cord damage
• Vertebral fracture(s)
• Severe osteoporosis
• Severe arthritis
• Bone infections
• Patients on blood thinners
• Patients with cancer, especially while on cancer treatment

Chiropractic care is, however, an excellent alternative option for those with acute or chronic neck or back pain.

Some of the most common causes of neck and back pain include:

Trauma, such as from a sports injury, fall, or car accident

Any sudden forceful movement of the head, neck, or back that results in “rebound,” such as with whiplash of the neck, results in injury to the supporting and surrounding tissues.

Trauma can tear muscles and ligaments, also known as a strain. It can also cause muscles to contract and tighten, which leads to stiffness and pain. If severe enough, it can also injure the joints between the vertebra, ligaments, discs, muscles, and nerve roots.

Aging

As we age, degenerative disorders become more common. This can include osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Degeneration puts the patient at a higher risk of bulging or herniated disks. Also, the degenerative changes can cause the body to form bone spurs, compounding the pain.

Spinal stenosis is also more common for older patients. When stenosis narrows the nerve passageways, nerve roots can become compressed and trapped. This usually causes radiating pain, such as down the arms or legs.

Habits of Life

Anything that disrupts spinal balance increases the risk of neck and back pain. This includes things like poor posture, obesity, improper ergonomics, and repetitive stress.

Emotional tension and stress lead to muscle tightening and contracting, which leads to pain and stiffness.

Could chiropractic care give you relief from your neck or back pain?

If you suffer from neck or back pain, whether it is acute or chronic, Dr. Doyle has the experience to bring you relief.

Call (817) 767-5430 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation so you can get started on the road to recovery.