What works best for neck pain relief

It is estimated that 70% of people will experience neck pain at some point in their life. There are many forms of treatment available, but it is sometimes difficult to know specifically which will be the most effective method of getting relief from neck pain. This article will discuss the most common cause of neck pain and a safe and effective approach to relief from neck discomfort.

A 2012 scientific research study, evaluating 272 patients with neck pain, compared three treatment approaches: chiropractic, medication, and exercise. Patients who received chiropractic care or exercise instruction reported the greatest reduction in pain. In fact, the researchers found that patients receiving chiropractic care and exercise therapy were twice as likely to achieve complete pain relief as patients in the medication group.

The most common cause of neck pain is due to misalignments and improper movement of the joints between the bones of the spine. The bones of the neck spine are called cervical vertebrae. There are seven of these vertebrae. Just as we have joints in the rest of the body, we have joints between the cervical vertebrae. Those joints are called facet joints. These joints allow the vertebrae to move through a limited range of motion. The joints must move just the right amount. If the joint does not move freely it is called hypomobility. If the joint moves excessively it is called hypermobility. If there is hypomobility or hypermobility, neck discomfort can occur. Any abnormal movement of the facet joints is called dysfunction.

Chiropractors are physicians who are trained to determine if there is adequate movement of the facet joints of the cervical spine. Chiropractic training focuses on chiropractic doctors being able to feel the movements of the facet joints. It takes many years of training for a chiropractor to learn this skill. Chiropractors can also feel if the muscles around the facet joints have normal tone or are in spasm, which usually occurs if there is joint dysfunction. Aside from chiropractors, there are very few physicians or therapists in other professions who have the skill level and sense of touch to be able to diagnose joint dysfunction.

Once joint dysfunction is determined to be the source of neck discomfort, chiropractors can provide treatment through chiropractic spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation is also a skill unique to the chiropractic profession and requires many years of training and practice. Chiropractic spinal manipulations restore proper motion to the facet joints to relieve neck pain.

For over one hundred and twenty-five years, gentle and safe chiropractic care has been considered the gold standard treatment for neck pain relief.