When you have pain in your neck, it’s important to find treatment so you can move your head freely again. Sometimes, all you need is a little rest, but other times, you’ll need assistance from a health care professional.
One health care professional that many people see for neck pain is a chiropractor. Chiropractors specialize in adjustments and other treatments that help reduce pain in the spine and joints. If you have neck pain, this is exactly the kind of person you may want to see for treatment.
Reasons to visit a chiropractor for neck pain
Several conditions can cause pain in the neck that may require chiropractic adjustment for treatment. These conditions may include:
- Whiplash — Whiplash is a condition that typically occurs during automobile accidents. It’s the result of the head jerking forward and bouncing back after a sudden impact. This causes the muscles and soft tissue in the neck to stretch and tear, which is painful and puts pressure on the spine.
- Arthritis — Osteoarthritis in the spine causes the cartilage to break down. This creates friction between the vertebrae that can lead to bone spurs. These bone spurs can limit your range of motion.
- Spinal stenosis — Many injuries and conditions can cause the spinal column to grow more narrow. This is known as spinal stenosis. When spinal stenosis happens, the spinal column puts pressure on the nerves running through it, which is often painful.
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) — The discs between the vertebrae in your spine naturally wear down over time. These discs are supposed to help cushion the vertebrae from impact and friction. As they flatten and lose elasticity over time, you may notice more pain in your neck and other parts of the spine.
Is chiropractic care safe?
When performed by a licensed health care professional, chiropractic treatments are safe and effective. Many people worry about the safety of chiropractic care due to misconceptions about adjustments.
Chiropractic adjustments look painful, but they are in fact not painful and help reduce pain immediately in many cases.
Chiropractic care is not right for everyone. You shouldn’t receive chiropractic treatment if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have a spinal fracture
- Have a herniated disc
- Have severe arthritis or osteoporosis
- Are taking blood thinners
Visit iRISE Spine and Joint for chiropractic care
If you have pain in your spine or joints, you should talk to one of our chiropractors at iRISE Spine and Joint. Our team helps reduce your pain and improve your range of motion with adjustments and other treatment methods. Contact us today to speak with one of our dedicated patient care coordinators to learn more about chiropractic care or to schedule an appointment.