Neck Pain TreatmentAlbany, OR
Neck pain can start out as a minor ache before increasing to debilitating pain that prevents even turning one’s head. Neck pain treatment can help provide lasting relief from the pain and related symptoms. Often, neck pain goes away on its own and does not need treatment. However, when neck pain needs treatment, our chiropractic team can help with a holistic approach and a treatment plan tailored to the needs of each patient.
Neck pain treatment is available at Better Pain Solutions in Albany and the surrounding area. Learn how a chiropractic approach to treating neck pain could help you find relief. Call our office at (541) 249-7317 to schedule an appointment.
About Neck Pain
The neck is an amazing thing. It can support the weight of an eight to 12-pound head and move in any direction. However, these responsibilities are also part of the reason the neck is highly susceptible to strain, injury, and fatigue. An estimated 1 in 3 people deal with neck pain at least once a year.
The first step in treating neck pain is identifying the cause, which can be the result of a variety of factors. Poor posture and bad sleeping habits are some of the most well-known causes of neck pain, as are repetitive motion and carrying heavy items such as a purse or bag. Injuries such as whiplash sustained when the neck is jerked around suddenly in a car accident or during vigorous physical activity often trigger neck pain. A problem with a disk, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and pinched nerves are frequently reasons the neck hurts. In rare cases, neck pain can be the result of cancer or meningitis. These are serious conditions that must be ruled out right away.
No matter the cause, neck pain is never pleasant and can even impair movement. Neck pain can range from sore, stiff, and achy to stabbing, stinging, or intense. In addition, neck pain can travel down the shoulder to the arm and even interfere with a person’s ability to lift or grasp objects. If neck pain does not go away or increasingly interferes with a person’s day, it is time to seek treatment.
“The first step in treating neck pain is to identify the cause, which can be tricky because it can be the result of so many factors.”
What to expect during the first visit
The chiropractor will conduct a thorough exam, taking down a detailed health history of the patient to help identify the cause of a patient’s pain and customize a treatment plan. The exam may include studying movements and posture and the alignment of the spine. The chiropractor may order imaging tests to help with the diagnosis. Patients should be prepared to provide information regarding their physical life and health history, including surgeries, injuries, and any medications they are currently taking.
Being able to provide detailed information on current symptoms is a priority. Neck pain can be a challenge to diagnose, so the more information the patient can provide, the better. Some questions the practitioner may ask include:
- How long has the pain been going on?
- Is the pain accompanied by any other symptoms?
- Is the pain constant, or does it come and go?
- Is the pain worse after certain activities or at certain times of the day?
- Was there a specific injury or event that appeared to cause it?
- What is the quality of the pain (sharp and stinging or a dull ache)?
- Where is the pain located, and does it travel?
- What treatments have been tried, if any?
- When did the pain start?
Some patients find it helpful to keep a journal of their pain and bring it to the initial consultation.
“Patients should be prepared to provide information regarding their physical life and health history, including surgeries, injuries, and any medications they have taken.”
Neck pain treatments
Chiropractors believe the body has a better chance of healing itself and reducing pain if the spine is in proper alignment. Practitioners may use a variety of approaches to accomplish this. Often, the best treatment comes from combining hands-on therapies and massage with lifestyle advice and stretching. Customizing the treatment to the patient is key.
A chiropractor may employ a number of hands-on therapies. The more gentle techniques commonly include cervical mobilization, cervical manual traction, and cervical drop techniques. These are for patients who like a more gentle approach and dislike cracking sounds. Both are slow low-velocity techniques. A neck adjustment is a precise procedure, also known as cervical manipulation, applied the neck joints by hand to reduce stiffness and soreness and improve mobility—more force is involved with this technique. The practitioner may use their hands or instruments. Other techniques include soft tissue therapy and therapeutic massage, along with manual joint stretching and resistance techniques.
“Often, the best treatment comes from combining hands-on therapies and massage with lifestyle advice and stretching.”
Candidacy for chiropractic neck pain treatment
Not everyone is a candidate for this type of treatment. The chiropractor will want to rule out any conditions they cannot treat and look for red flags that may signal a serious condition. In addition, any condition that requires surgery will also need to be ruled out. If a patient is not sure if they are a candidate for treatment, they should schedule a consultation.
If the practitioner believes a patient’s neck pain will be better treated by another means, they may refer the patient to another specialist. The best interests of the patient are of primary importance to our team. Those with severe osteoporosis, spine cancer, an increased stroke risk, a bone abnormality in the upper neck, or numbness or tingling in a limb should not seek chiropractic adjustments.
“The chiropractor will want to rule out any conditions they cannot treat and look for red flags that may signal a serious condition.”
Benefits of chiropractic care for neck pain
Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach that does not involve drugs or surgery. It is an approach that aims to improve the health of the patient, not just mask symptoms. The goal is to get to the source of what is causing the pain and treat that cause rather than just offer temporary relief from pain. The absence of invasive procedures and prescription drugs makes chiropractic care attractive to many people, especially those concerned about the addiction risk associated with certain painkillers and others who do not tolerate the side effects of medication.
Of all the alternative therapies for neck pain, chiropractic care is among the most popular, and patients seem pleased with the results. In some cases, neck adjustments combined with exercises work better for neck pain than pain medication. Other benefits chiropractic care for neck pain can provide include reduced inflammation, improved flexibility, and increased range of motion.
“It is an approach that aims to improve the health of the patient, not just mask symptoms.”
Call Us Today
If neck pain that will not go away is interfering with your life, we can help. Our team offers customized treatment plans that relieve pain and promote health. To learn more about our treatments for neck pain, call Better Pain Solutions today at (541) 249-7317 to schedule an appointment.
Check out what others are saying about our Neck Pain Treatment services on Yelp: Neck Pain Treatment Albany
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What happens during the initial consultation?
Q. How do chiropractors treat neck pain?
Q. Who is a good candidate for chiropractic care?
Q. What are the benefits of having a chiropractor treat neck pain?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can neck pain be a sign of something serious?
A. Neck pain can be a sign of certain life-threatening conditions that require emergency care. The bacterial infection meningitis is among them. Others include heart attack, multiple myeloma, a tumor in the spine, or cancer. If any of these conditions are suspected, they will be taken very seriously, and the patient will be referred to the right medical professional.
Q. How can I prevent neck pain?
A. Sometimes neck pain cannot be prevented. However, there are things that are within our control. Using good posture, especially at work, and taking time out for daily neck stretches and exercises such as gentle head rolls go a long way. Avoiding heavy lifting or carrying heavy bags on your shoulder will reduce your risk of developing neck pain. Adopting a healthy sleeping position and quitting smoking help prevent neck pain as well.
Q. How much does chiropractic treatment for neck pain cost?
A. The answer to this question varies widely. Much of it depends on the patient’s particular issue, the type of treatment required, and the number of appointments. In many cases, health insurance plans will cover at least a portion of chiropractic care. We recommend patients check with their insurance provider for the specifics about their plan.
Q. Is it okay to try and crack my own neck?
A. Cracking joints like the neck or knuckles is a common habit, but it does not necessarily mean it is good. Gently cracking one’s neck or doing so once in a while is not likely to be a problem. However, doing it too often, incorrectly, or forcefully can be harmful, leading to extreme pain and pinched nerves and even increase one’s risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Q. Which chiropractic approach works best for neck pain?
A. The optimal chiropractic approach depends on the patient. Some patients swear by the more forceful manipulation techniques, while others prefer the gentler mobilization approach. Our team will examine your case and make suggestions and take into account the type of treatment that makes you feel most comfortable.
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