NECK PAIN
Most people will experience neck pain at some time in their lives. In a review of all the research associated with treatments of neck pain, the authors concluded that for those suffering from chronic neck pain, chiropractic adjustments are more effective than any other approach.
Poor posture may contribute considerably to neck pain. Specifically, forward head posture can cause an overload of stress on the neck. For every inch your head moves forwards, it leverages 10 extra pounds to the muscles in your upper back and neck because they have to work that much harder to keep the head from dropping onto your chest. With modern electronics and desk jobs, this kind of stress is becoming more and more common. Chiropractic adjustments are key to maintaining good posture and physical health.
The cervical spine provides structural stability and support for the cranium, as well as a protection for the spinal cord and vertebral arteries. It also enables flexible movement and balance adaptation while allowing for directional orientation of the eyes and ears. Nowhere in the spine is the relationship between the osseous structures and the surrounding neurologic and vascular beds as intimate or susceptible to injury as it is in the cervical region. Whether induced by trauma or not, cervical subluxation syndromes may impact the whole body. IVF insults, and the effects of articular fixations, can manifest throughout the motor, sensory, and autonomic nervous systems. Many peripheral nerve symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand originate in the cervical spine, as do some brainstem disorders.
77 patients were divided into three groups. One group received acupuncture, one group received regular NSAID doses, and the last group received chiropractic care. After 30 days of treatment, chiropractic adjustments were the only intervention to achieve a statistically significant improvement. Patients receiving chiropractic care demonstrated a 30.7% reduction in Oswestry scores, a 25% reduction in neck disability index scores, a 50% reduction for low back pain, a 46% reduction for upper back pain, and 33% reduction for neck pain. Neither acupuncture nor NSAIDS provided significant improvement.
