Management Strategies For Neck Pain

When you schedule a chiropractic evaluation for your neck pain, your chiropractor will provide in-office procedures and teach you self-help approaches to manage your neck pain or headache complaint. During the evaluation, you can expect a thorough history, examination, x-ray (if warranted), and a discussion about what chiropractic care can be done for you and your condition. Your chiropractor will map out a treatment plan and discuss commonly shared goals of pain reduction, posture/alignment restoration, and prevention of future episodes.

Pain reduction approaches include joint mobilization and/or manipulation, muscle/ligament stretching techniques, inflammation control by the use of physical therapy modalities (such as electrical stimulation), ice, and possibly anti-inflammatory vitamin/herbal therapies. Your chiropractor will also teach you proper body mechanics for bending/lifting/pulling/pushing and help you avoid positions or situations where you might re-injure the area.

Posture/alignment restoration can include methods such as spinal manipulation/mobilization and leg length correction strategies (heel and/or sole lifts, special orthotic shoes, and/or foot orthotic inserts). These are often great recommendations as they “work” all the time they are in your shoes and you don’t have to do anything (except wear them)!

The third goal of future episode prevention is often a combination of ongoing treatments in the office and strategies you can employ at home. This includes whether you should use ice, heat, or both at times of acute exacerbation; avoiding positions or movements that create sharp/lancinating pain; and doing the exercises.