Chiropractic & Neck Pain (Part 2)

In this month’s discussion, we will cover the last two primary goals when it comes to the chiropractic management of neck pain: #3 - Functional Restoration and #4 - Prevention.

3. FUNCTIONAL RESTORATION: Restoring function allows the patient to return to their pre-injury activities of daily living, which is the ultimate goal when managing all conditions. To accomplish this goal, it is necessary to have the first two goals accomplished, and the primary tool that we use to accomplish this goal is exercise training. There are several options to determine which exercise is most needed. A physical performance test can be done, which consists of a series of exercise-like maneuvers that we measure with an instrument that measures degrees (for range of motion), count repetitions (when testing for strength), or count time—usually in seconds (when testing for endurance, balance, and aerobic capacity). We then can compare you to the “norms” that have been published to see if you need help in a particular area. This also establishes a “baseline” or starting point to compare a month later after you’ve performed the proper exercises designed to improve that “failed test.” The three primary goals of exercises include stretching, strengthening, and restoring coordination.

STRETCHING: A very effective exercise is performed by bending the head to the right, reaching over with the right hand, and gently pulling on the head until a good stretch is felt on the left side of the neck. Reaching down with the opposite (left) arm (as if there’s a dollar bill on the ground and you just can’t quite reach it) enhances the stretch. While stretching, tuck in your chin, drop your head forwards and backwards, and turn your head a little from side to side to feel for different tight muscle fibers. Continue this stretch for 10-20 seconds or long enough to feel that you’ve accomplished a good stretch.

4. PREVENTION: The fourth goal of chiropractic management of neck pain is prevention. This involves identifying risk factors that may lead to future neck pain and addressing them before they become problematic. Some common risk factors include poor posture, repetitive strain injuries, and stress. By addressing these risk factors early on, we can help prevent future episodes of neck pain.

If you’re experiencing neck pain or discomfort, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Morgan Chiropractic. Our team of experts will help you understand your condition and provide you with the best possible treatment options.