If you have pain in any part of your body, it can range from uncomfortable to downright debilitating. In the case of your neck, any degree of irritation can impede your ability to function. Because of this, it is important that you learn about how chiropractic relieves neck pain so that you can find the assistance you need.
Getting Rid Of Neck Pain Is A Process
When you first visit a chiropractor, you should take along medical records that relate to your neck pain. This includes any medical history that outlines the description and symptoms of your condition by another physician. For instance, whether the pains are sharp or dull, throbbing or steady can provide valuable information to your chiropractor. If you have experienced any injury involving your head or neck, even minor ones, the chiropractor will want to know that as well.
If you happen to have a copy of your most recent head and neck x-rays, bringing those along will help. They are not necessary in most cases, though, and if the chiropractor feels they would be valuable, you can also be referred to a radiology clinic for up-to-date images.
Depending on the chiropractor’s approach, a typical first visit includes an initial consultation, examination and x-rays. If the chiropractor has time, he or she may go over the results the same day.
However, many chiropractors prefer to study and review your case before determining if they can or cannot help you. So, even though you’re in pain, be patient for the chiropractor’s full recommendations which may not be available until the following day.
Short Term Relief Of Neck Pain
With that said, most chiropractors won’t leave you hanging. They’re compassionate to your pain. In other words, they’ll administer some form of pain relief the same day as your initial visit until a complete diagnosis is available.
During this initial waiting period, your local chiropractor may administer the following pain relief methods for neck pain:
- Ice
- Light soft tissue work using a topical analgesic like BioFreeze
- Interferential therapy, electrical stimulation and/or other physical therapy modalities
- Heat (if the condition isn’t acute)
Additionally, your chiropractor may make pain relief recommendations that you can use back home to help reduce your neck pain until your next visit. These typically include the proper use of ice as well as the administration of a topical analgesic like BioFreeze.
During your subsequent visit, a detailed treatment plan will be presented to you if your chiropractor believes he or she can help correct the problem. If so, be consistent with the treatment plan your diagnosis warrants so that your neck pain is not only relieved but potentially corrected.
Remember, your local chiropractor is not only concerned about relieving your neck pain but even more concerned about finding and fixing the cause of the problem. Misalignments of the spine (aka vertebral subluxations) don’t just happen over night (unless there is some form of blunt force that caused them). Correcting these subluxations through multiple chiropractic adjustments may take time, even when the pain disappears.
Regardless, when people are experiencing neck pain, it can diminish their quality of life. It becomes difficult to perform regular tasks such as driving, doing housework, and exercise. Visiting a chiropractor and allowing them to treat the area is a smart choice. These professionals have undergone extensive training in their field and are capable of treating neck pain effectively. Call Dr. Caulfield today, and he’ll take the pain out of your neck!