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Anybody who has experienced back pain knows that they will do just about anything to relieve their discomfort and fortunately, there are many options available for patients suffering from back ailments.

If you have been experiencing lower back pain, you should schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. Your chiropractor will want to interview you and do an examination first to ensure that they fully understand your condition as well as any limitations that you may be having. After this assessment is complete, one treatment that they may suggest is a therapeutic adjustment.
 

What is a Therapeutic Adjustment?

Therapeutic adjustments are also called spinal or chiropractic manipulation and is a conventional technique that chiropractors use to treat lower back pain. An adjustment involves moving vertebrae that are not moving properly or have abnormal movement. These changes to your spine can move the vertebrae back into place or help to correct the movement that is causing you discomfort.
 

What Can I Expect to Feel During an Adjustment?

Adjustments typically involve short and fast arm thrusts along the vertebrae. These thrusts may cause an audible cracking sound when gas is released from the joint. These gases can include oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide. The release of these gases can also be accompanied by the reduction of pressure within the spine.

Patients often feel an immediate improvement in their pain levels and ability to move. Some minor discomfort has been reported, but it is typically associated with back muscles that are tense and is usually short-lived.

While you may expect your joints to “crack,” it doesn’t always happen, which can be due to a tense patient. Your chiropractor may suggest using ice, having you rest, or using electrical stimulation and massage in order to reduce the tension in your back.
 

What Can I Expect After a Therapeutic Adjustment?

Most patients feel reduced pain or tension levels in their back and spinal column immediately following treatment. When patients feel pain, it is usually associated with muscle pain and when appropriately treated, the effects of muscle pain can be reduced in a matter of hours.

Several studies have shown that chiropractic patients experience mild to moderate pain relief following an adjustment. In fact, chiropractors have been shown to be as effective as many other methods of pain relief for the back, such as sleeping on a firm mattress, taking pain medication, or applying heat therapies.
 

Therapeutic Adjustments and Your Insurance

If you are considering a chiropractic visit to help alleviate your back pain, it is a good idea to check with your chiropractic office as well as your insurance to make sure that it is a covered expense. Chiropractic care is considered a complementary and alternative medicine and while most health insurances (Medicare, workers’ compensation, some Medicaid plans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, much active duty and veteran military facilities) cover chiropractic adjustments, the qualifications or limitations of your treatment can vary greatly. So, before you get stuck with an unexpected bill, be sure to get clarification.
 

Overview

Chiropractic adjustments can be a significant and effective form of treatment for lower back pain. While there may be many causes of a sore back, chiropractic care can help to diagnose these issues and offer some possible remedies. If your chiropractor can fix your pain, the adjustments are usually quick office visits that can be completed during a lunch break.

Additionally, the side effects of a chiropractic adjustment are much smaller than alternative medications. Therapeutic adjustments also cost less than some of the other alternative treatment options, especially if your insurance considers it a covered option. If you are experiencing back pain, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your chiropractor as soon as possible since receiving rapid care can help reduce the amount of time it takes to return to a pain-free lifestyle.  

Many people are beginning to use chiropractors for the treatment of a variety of health conditions. While chiropractors can help alleviate issues as they pop up, you should also consider visiting a chiropractor as part of your regular routine as many people believe that the frequency of visits directly correlates with the effectiveness of the treatment.
 

Why Make Regular Appointments?

While we have all experienced injury or sickness, our ability to rebound from those issues is often related to our physical condition beforehand. If we are in good overall health, our body can more readily compensate for an injury or illness.

This same theory can be applied to our spinal health. If your spine and associated joints are in good working order, you may walk away with minimal to no injuries from an activity that may debilitate someone else.
 

Fix Small Injuries Before They are Big

We often schedule appointments with our doctors or chiropractors when our issues become so severe that we cannot manage to get through the day without outside help. However, if you really pay close attention to the progress of your condition, you may find that the issue started much earlier. Poor sleeping habits, stress, poor diet, and excessive work hours can all lead to injuries or sickness.

If you are regularly seeing a chiropractor, they can often identify these issues when they are small. They may even be so minor that you haven't noticed them yet. If your chiropractor can correct these issues when they are minimal, you will rebound more quickly without having to experience the debilitating pain that the injury may have caused.
 

The Spine Controls EVERYTHING

Every message that your body sends to your brain has to travel through your spinal cord which is housed by the spinal column. If you are having an issue somewhere in your body, that issue, along with the remedy, must travel through your spinal cord. If you have a problem with your nervous system, that message can’t be delivered, and your body cannot correct the problem.

Many issues can be attributed to spinal health including headaches, intestinal health, and immune response.
 

To Keep Yourself in Top Condition

These regular appointments are sure to keep your health at the front of your mind and if you take care of yourself and keep yourself healthy, you are able to better focus on other issues. When your health is poor, it is hard to look beyond the pain and discomfort to focus on work, family, or the enjoyment of your life.

If you maintain a regular relationship with your chiropractor, they are also more likely to fully understand your background in order to quickly suggest and implement the best treatment for a variety of conditions that you may be facing.
 

To Avoid Surgeries

Chiropractic care is often overlooked when people are experiencing significant discomfort. If you regularly visit your chiropractor and update them on your other health conditions, they may be able to suggest therapies that could ultimately keep you from having to undergo unnecessary surgery and recovery time.

Chiropractors can also offer a second opinion or an initial therapy before you decide on surgery, which may cause damage that is permanent and irreversible. If chiropractic treatments are conducted but aren’t successful, you can opt for an operation at a later time.
 

Overview

The benefits of regular visits with a chiropractor are numerous. Chiropractors can often identify health issues before you have noticed the negative effects of the sickness or injury and if they correct these issues early, your discomfort may be greatly minimized. Additionally, regular chiropractic care can help you avoid some sickness or injuries altogether by keeping your health in top shape. Call a licensed chiropractic professional to schedule your appointment today.  

Methods of Chiropractic Care

Going to the chiropractor can be for a variety of reasons. While chiropractors typically focus on our backs, they are truly joint specialists that help to keep our bodies and joints in proper alignment. However, the effects of chiropractic care extend far beyond our joints. Chiropractic adjustments have been used to help a diverse group of ailments that include back and neck pain, pregnancy issues, ear infections, weight loss, digestive issues, and many more. The issues that can bring you into the office are as diverse as the methods to care for them, but here we’ve compiled a list of five common methods or techniques for the care of neck or back pain.
 

Diversified Technique

The diversified technique is likely to be used by your chiropractor if you are experiencing neck or back pain that is caused by a herniated lumbar disk. This is one of the most common methods used by chiropractors and offers almost instant relief for the patient. It is commonly associated with the popping or cracking of joints that allow for the release of the gases trapped in the joints which allow for reduced pressure on the joint and the nerves that pass through it.
 

Logan Technique

The Logan technique is a conventional technique that works by applying pressure to the spine which will help to realign your spine and joints. Your chiropractor may use this method if you are having issues with headaches or migraines. It also helps to improve or restore your balance and release tension throughout the spinal column.
 

Flexion-Distraction

Flexion-distraction involves stretching the spine along the axis to help bring the spine back into alignment. This method is used in patients who have scoliosis, joint pain, or other specific back pain ailments. This technique helps to reduce pressure on the spine from a bulge or a disk herniation in the lumbar spine, increases spinal motion, and reduces symptoms of sciatica. Typically, chiropractors will have a special table that is used just for this technique.
 

Gonstead Adjustment

The Gonstead technique is considered one of the most popular adjustments and is used for the treatment of specific ailments in patients. Your chiropractor will do a spinal assessment on five separate criteria to detect issues with your spine. These five criteria include:

• Visualization – This is a visual inspection of the spine that helps to immediately identify any areas of misalignment or changes to your posture that could indicate an issue.

• Instrumentation – The Nervoscope is a piece of equipment that is used to detect any changes in temperature that may indicate inflammation of tissues around the spine. The instrument is used by running it along your spinal column to detect any issues.

• Static Palpation – This assessment is used when you are not moving. Your chiropractor will palpate or press along your spine in order to identify swelling, misalignment, or discomfort that are indicative of underlying problems.

• Motion Palpation – Similar to static palpation, this involves your chiropractor feeling along your spine for issues. However, they will have you move and bend your spine at various angles to detect issues.

• X-Ray Analysis – X-rays are used as a visualization of the spine. This imaging helps to identify joint and disc irregularities and may be helpful in identifying or ruling out many pathologies.
   

Soft Tissue Therapy

Soft tissue therapy is the use of therapeutic massage that is targeted at the muscles and ligaments that are connected to the spine. This helps to allow the spine to shift back into a proper position or reduce the tension that is placed on the spine.
 

Overview

Chiropractors have many tools at their disposal to make sure that your body is functioning correctly and you are feeling your best. If you are experiencing neck or back pain, consider scheduling an appointment today.  

If you have been paying attention to what is happening in the medical community, then it’s likely that you have heard about holistic medicine. However, to really understand the practice takes more than just a passing reference to the topic. Holistic medicine is a type of medicine that is concerned with the entire person as a whole. This practice accounts for the body, mind, spirit, and emotions. The belief behind the practice stems from the idea that people can operate at their highest levels when all their systems are operating well and in balance with each other.

Practitioners of holistic medicine believe that if one of these systems is out of balance, all of the other systems in the body will be affected. In order to treat an individual, medical professionals may utilize a variety of techniques. For example, if a patient visits their doctor for a migraine, they may be prescribed pain medication and sent home. However, when a physician takes a holistic approach, they look at a myriad of potential factors that are influencing and causing the headache. Therefore, even though a patient may still be prescribed pain medication, issues with their diet, sleep patterns, stress, and spiritual outlook will also be reviewed and it is only after considering all of these factors that a treatment plan will be developed.
 

Holistic Options

Holistic medicine offers a wide variety of treatment options to treat underlying conditions and below we have compiled some of the most standard treatment options along with brief explanations. However, if you feel that holistic medicine is an option for you, you should consider contacting a holistic medical professional today for more information.

• Patient Education – Holistic medicine believes that every person can heal themselves. It is no surprise that when patients know more about themselves and their condition, they have better results in their treatment. Education may cover diet, exercise, and counseling as it relates to the patient's needs.

• Alternative Medicine – In order to treat the body as a whole, alternative medicine is another option that may be used as part of a patient’s treatment plan. These treatments may include chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, or naturopathy.

• Western Medicine – Sometimes Western medicine will offer an additional or complementary benefit. These treatments may include medications or medical procedures in order to correct any underlying issues.
   

Chiropractic Holistic Medicine

Many patients who opt for a holistic approach to their medical needs will find that chiropractic care becomes one of the most critical aspects of their treatment. Chiropractic offers a non-invasive approach to helping with many medical issues including back and neck pain, nerve pain, gastrointestinal issues, and even ear infections.

Chiropractors are highly trained medical professionals that have received specialized education in understanding the role that your spine and the associated nerves play on your wellness. They understand your individual needs and don’t prescribe to a one size fits all approach. Additionally, chiropractors have access to the latest medical equipment and can confidently come to an appropriate and accurate diagnosis.

Chiropractic has been used for generations to help patients heal without invasive procedures or utilizing potentially dangerous prescription medications. This field of medicine has been determined safe and effective for use on every population including the elderly, infants, pregnant women and everybody in between.
 

Overview

If you have a health concern and are weighing your options, you should consider meeting with a chiropractor. They will conduct a detailed review of your medical history and perform a physical examination to help determine the best course of action for you. With a long and safe history, you should rest assured knowing that your treatment is in capable hands.

Many people today struggle to maintain their waistline. There have been a significant number of studies that correlate our weight, or rather, excess weight, to shortened lifespans, reduced quality of life and an increase in various diseases. People are often focused on the newest fad diet or exercise routine to help them reduce their body fat percentages and maintain weight loss, but a visit with your chiropractor will add another layer to your ability to fight the battle of your expanding midline.
 

Chiropractic and the Impact on Weight

At the beginning of each January, weight-loss fads and gym membership applications skyrocket, only to taper off during the next few months. People often focus on one aspect of their lifestyle to reduce their weight, but these aspects by themselves don’t focus on an overall healthy lifestyle. If you can change your focus to living better for the rest of your life, you may start to find that you can bring some balance to your future weight loss endeavor. When used as a part of your weight loss routine, people who receive chiropractic care tend to see faster and longer-lasting results.

Chiropractic adjustments aren’t considered a cardio workout in themselves, but patients who are maintaining a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can really benefit from routine adjustments. Chiropractors can help to keep us free from injury, reduce fatigue, and help keep our digestive systems working properly which allows our bodies to readily process the foods that we eat to properly fuel a workout while disposing of waste.
 

A Properly Aligned Spine

Athletes at any level are at an increased risk for injury. The physical movements that we make when we work out can place additional stress on all our joints, making movement more difficult. When we feel pain in our joints, we tend to reduce the workload. Chiropractic adjustments help to keep your joints in their best physical condition and everyone knows, that when you feel better, you can work harder. Your increased output will result in more calories burned which when paired with proper nutrition, can result in big losses on the scale.

Many chiropractors are specifically geared to work with weight loss. In addition to specialized techniques that help keep you in the best shape possible, they can offer additional exercise and nutritional information. If you’re considering pairing your weight loss plan with chiropractic, please talk to your chiropractor. They are a wealth of underutilized knowledge.
 

Barbells and Chiropractors

When we think of building lean muscle, we often think about lifting barbells and dumbbells, but studies show that the act of getting an adjustment can lead to better muscle tone. And as our bodies build muscle, the fat that we consume isn’t immediately placed into stores which means that it makes it harder for the body to gain additional weight.

Additionally, properly aligned joints, as well as the adjustments themselves, can lead to reduced muscle fatigue and more rapid healing than rest alone. Chiropractic adjustments allow your muscles to relax which puts them into the best state to be healed.
 

Stopping Injuries Before They Stop You

Chiropractors are experts at spotting issues with our joints and alignment. As they work through your appointment, they may find issues before they become more serious. This allows you to take precautions before you really hurt yourself and sideline your weight loss plan. If you can recognize the injury early, it takes less time to heal, and you have a better chance of a full recovery.
 

Overview

If you are getting serious about fighting for your health, then it’s time to cut out the extra weight. While you should consider a multi-faceted approach, you should also work with your chiropractor to identify the best plan for you. With their ability to keep your body in top operating condition, their advice on exercise and nutrition can also be an invaluable tool to help you reach your goals.

There is a lot of information (and misinformation) that people can find online today. When it comes to chiropractic care, the misinformation can become difficult for many people to differentiate from the truth. Therefore, we have compiled a list of some of the most common myths and misconceptions about chiropractic care below. It is our hope that by understanding the truth about chiropractic care, patients will be able to better seek the care that they need and deserve.
 

Chiropractic is Dangerous

Many people have fears about having their neck and back adjusted or manipulated. While these fears are generally due to the perceived weakness of the neck and back from movies, chiropractors are specially trained to perform these techniques safely and effectively. In fact, chiropractic is safe for the elderly, infants, pregnant women, teens, and many other demographics. It is difficult to find medical procedures or even medications that are able to help this wide of a range of the patient population.
 

Chiropractic Treatments are Expensive

Many insurance companies consider chiropractic care a covered procedure, meaning that you may only be responsible for a copay, or potentially no costs at all, to receive your chiropractic care. Even Medicare and Medicaid offer coverage for chiropractic care.

Recent studies show that chiropractic care is one of the most affordable and cost-effective treatment options for patients. Studies like this have helped insurance companies justify and even prefer chiropractic care for their clients.
 

Chiropractic Care Must be Used for the Rest of Your Life

Many chiropractic patients visit a chiropractor for a specific issue. However, your chiropractor will be able to develop a specific treatment plan designed to best manage and correct your issues. At the conclusion of this treatment plan, the benefits are often so striking that many patients continue to see a chiropractor on a regular basis even though the original issue has been resolved and see these visits as routine checkups. If they decide to stop these visits, it does not mean that they will regress. In fact, there are studies to suggest that the benefits of chiropractic care last well after the last adjustment.
 

Chiropractors Aren’t Real Medical Professionals

The modern certification process for chiropractors is exceptionally rigorous. In fact, current chiropractic students complete more in-class instruction than medical students. Chiropractors must also complete a residency program and pass four national tests as well as the appropriate state board tests in order to receive their certification. Many chiropractors are also required to complete a full year of Ph.D. level nutrition classes. This means that not only are they medical professionals, but they are adequately equipped to help you with many of your health needs beyond the neck and spine.
 

Chiropractic Care Isn’t Effective

This myth continues to be pushed by people who haven’t ever received chiropractic care. Many patients have received excellent care and help with their conditions through chiropractic care. Adjustments and spinal manipulations have been used to help treat migraines, back pain, earaches, neck pain, arthritis, pregnancy, blood pressure issues, and generalized joint pain. If chiropractic care wasn’t effective, insurance companies would not cover this procedure.
 

Chiropractic Isn’t Safe for Kids

Chiropractic care is especially important for kids. Their rapid growth and high activity levels mean that they are more prone to injury than other age groups. If children aren’t treated quickly for their injuries, it can impair their proper growth and development.

Chiropractic care has been found as a safe and effective treatment for many demographics, including children. Many parents opt for chiropractic care rather than many other medical procedures or potentially dangerous medications.
 

Overview

Many of the myths about chiropractic care mask the countless benefits that this medical field can have for your life. Chiropractic care requires less downtime or recovery than most medical procedures and avoids or reduces the need to use medications that contain opioids. With these benefits, it’s hard to imagine why you shouldn’t consider chiropractic for your treatment.  

Every profession today has some level of risk for employees to receive an injury at work. Office professionals are at an increased risk for the neck, back or carpal tunnel injuries. Employees that work in physically demanding positions can experience an injury due to the physical requirements or repetitive motions that they conduct throughout the day. No matter what profession you are in, injuries that are related to work are stressful and unfortunately, leave employees with the decision to continue working through their pain or take the time off to allow for the proper treatment and healing.

One recent study found that individuals who received chiropractic care as part of their injury treatment were able to return to work more quickly than those who did not. Additionally, people who reported receiving chiropractic care for neck and back pain had less than two hours of missed work per year as an average. It is essential to understand the types of injuries that many employees sustain in order to find the best way to treat those injuries.
 

Common Types of Work Injuries

• Force – Force injuries are caused by overexertion or strain on the muscles or joints. These injuries are typically the result of improper lifting or lifting objects that are too heavy.

• Posture – Poor posture or slouching can result in additional strain on the joints in your back and neck. This can be compounded when individuals are in an office setting and retain these positions for long periods of time.

• Repetition – Employees that repeat the same motion over time are at an increased risk for repetitive motion type injuries. These injuries occur because the muscles become fatigued and can no longer adequately perform the required movement, or because the joints can wear down over time.

• Stress – Emotional stress can manifest in physical injuries. Employees that are under constant or extreme stress often keep their muscles tensed and rigid which leaves them at increased risk of injury or accident.
   

Chiropractic Care Help

Chiropractors have a long successful history of helping employees recover from their injuries in order to return to work quicker. In fact, chiropractic care has been shown to return employees back to their work faster than many other methods of treatment.

Chiropractors often utilize manual manipulation to help correctly align the spine and reduce pressure on the nerves that travel through the spinal column. These non-invasive techniques require little to no recovery time in direct contrast to surgeries that often require extensive preparation and recovery and can be prohibitively expensive for many patients.

Chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment that offers benefits after the first treatment and has been shown to last long after the last treatment. This style of treatment also can help to avoid or eliminate the need for using potentially addictive and lethal pain medications. 

Research has shown that chiropractic care offers one of the most successful treatment options for those who suffer from lower back injuries. This leads to employees returning to work more quickly than their counterparts and are also less likely to experience lingering issues after their treatment has concluded.
 

Overview

Injuries or accidents that occur as part of a workplace incident can be difficult to navigate. However, patients who choose to use chiropractic care as part of their treatment plan are more likely to return to work more quickly than those who don’t. Chiropractic care has also been found to be more effective and less dangerous than many other options. If you are the victim of a workplace accident or injury, you should contact your chiropractor today to develop your individualized treatment plan.  

If you have children of any age, it is likely that you have had an intimate experience with ear infections at some point in your life. Five out of six children will have experienced at least one ear infection before they are three years old as younger children are far more prone to ear infections. Luckily, as they age, they may “grow out” of them.

Researchers believe that younger children are more susceptible to ear infections because their eustachian tubes are shorter and angled which make them more prone to bacteria that can cause an ear infection.

While ear infections are the most common in children, they are an ailment that affects many of us throughout our lives. Ear infections are not only particularly painful and bothersome due to the sensitive nature of our ears, but can also threaten to leave lasting damage if they aren’t adequately treated.

Many people jump automatically to medications to correct the issue. However, some of the complications associated with medications, especially for children can be a cause for hesitation. If you are considering alternative options, chiropractic care is worth looking into.
 

Symptoms and Causes of Ear Infections

Ear infections are caused by a virus or bacteria that infects the middle ear. This can cause the middle ear to become inflamed and hold fluid that leads to a buildup of pressure. This pressure can be excruciating. Colds, the flu, and allergic reactions can all lead to ear infections as these illnesses can result in a swelling of the ear that blocks fluid from draining from the eustachian tubes, nasal passages, and throat.

While ear infections are often straightforward to diagnose in our own bodies, they often manifest in children who haven’t developed the ability to communicate their discomfort. In these situations, it’s important to know the range of symptoms for an ear infection.

These symptoms include:

• Fever

• Ear redness

• Ear pain (infants may pull or rub their ears) 

• Difficulty sleeping

• Fluid drainage from the ear

• Loss of balance

• Headache

• Diminished hearing
   

Treatment Options for Ear Infections

Medical treatment is often the first option that people use to heal their ears. Pain can be significant, and in some of these situations, doctors may prescribe pain medications that contain opioids. Opioid medications have been the target of many news reports and government policies due to their addictive nature.

Since opioids are very addictive, they have the potential to cause severe damage or death if they are not used properly and many patients have found that the potential risks are not worth their benefits. If you are concerned with using these medications, you may want to consider an alternative treatment option.

Chiropractic care is a great option for many individuals who suffer from ear infections. In fact, chiropractic care may even reduce the effects of chronic ear infections, or prevent you from ever getting an infection in the first place.

A 1996 study found that patients that used chiropractic treatment for their ear infections had a 93% improvement rate. With the success rate of chiropractic care, the lack of exposure to potentially harmful medications, and no invasive procedures, chiropractic care might be the exact treatment that you’ve been looking for. Chiropractic care for the treatment of ear infections is safe for children as well as adults.
 

How it Works

Your chiropractor will explain how they are going to help alleviate your ear infection in more detail, but typically, your chiropractor will review your case and then perform a series of adjustments in specific areas that are targeted to align the joints and reduce pressure on the nerves. When the nerves can fully function, they can help to alleviate the issues that are causing your ear infection quicker.
 

Overview

It’s very likely that you or your children are going to fall victim to an ear infection at some point and you may want to consider a trip to the chiropractor to evaluate your condition for their services. Chiropractors offer safe, drug-free options for the treatment of several health conditions, including ear infections for people of all ages. Call to schedule an appointment with a licensed chiropractor today.

Many people have some general knowledge about chiropractors, but not many know what to expect during their first appointment. While the process is not complicated, a lack of familiarity can create unnecessary stress and anxiety in patients before they even arrive in the office.

Here we have compiled some information to let you know what to expect for your first visit and hopefully ease any anxiety associated with your first visit.
 

Schedule an Appointment

While chiropractic offices pride themselves on being available to take care of your needs, it’s always a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance whenever possible. While emergencies do happen, scheduling visits in advance will allow for the more efficient service that you desire as well as the meticulous care that you expect.
 

Ask Questions

When you call to schedule your first appointment, it's generally a good idea to ask some initial questions or even interview your potential chiropractor. Just remember, while it is a good idea to ask any questions that you have, here are some that you should be sure to ask as the answers can vary greatly.

• Is the chiropractor licensed?

• What is their education and experience background?

• What is your chiropractor’s philosophy of care?
   

It may also be a good idea to call a few different offices to find the best fit for you. Your back pain can be a complicated process, and you want to know that you have a chiropractor who matches your specific needs.
 

Come Prepared

Before a chiropractor ever does an actual physical exam, you will fill out a medical questionnaire. You should be prepared to answer questions about your family history as well as your own background. If you have an extensive medical history, you should also consider bringing in supporting documentation so that your chiropractor can review them and better understand all of your needs.

You should also be prepared to answer questions about the specific nature of your appointment that day. These questions can include:

• How did the pain begin?

• When did the pain start?

• Describe the pain (sharp or dull, pressure or stabbing, does it radiate, does it change intensity)?

• Did the pain begin following an injury or a movement?

• Is there anything that you do that makes the pain better? Worse?
   

The answers to these questions can help your chiropractor identify some of the immediate treatment options that might be right for you. You should feel free to discuss the benefits and any potential drawbacks of those options.
 

The Exam

Once you are through the background information, your chiropractor will conduct a physical exam. The exam will include general medical information such as blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. In addition, your chiropractor will also want to test your reflexes and complete orthopedic tests to explore your range of motion, muscle tone, strength, and neurologic integrity.

These tests will help to assess the seriousness of your injury in order to further refine which treatment options will be right for you.
 

Additional Studies

Even once your chiropractor has reviewed your history and completed a physical exam, they still may not be able to rule out all the possible causes of your pain and so they may want to further explore the extent of the damage. In these cases, you may be asked to complete some additional testing which may include X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI, or other laboratory tests. These tests can help to ensure that you receive the proper care and treatment that is individualized to you.
 

Diagnosis

After your chiropractor has gathered enough information to present you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment options, they will work with you to find which option will work best as well as discuss the length of these treatments. If you have questions, you can request written information that you can review at your own pace. Choosing the right option for you will lead to faster and longer-lasting results.

Neck pain is a relatively common ailment, which most of us will experience at least once in our lifetime. In most cases, neck pain will improve and disappear on its own, but if you frequently suffer from this problem, or find that conventional ways of relieving your pain are not working, you may want to consider chiropractic care.
 

About neck pain

The neck is a very important part of our body, containing the very top of the spine, called the cervical spine as well as many blood vessels and nerves that supply structures including our esophagus, larynx, trachea and thyroid gland. The neck is also home to major blood vessels including the carotid arteries and jugular veins.

When there is tension in the neck, it can have a significant impact on the flow of blood between the head and body, as well as cause compression of the nerves and potentially the spinal cord. When this happens, it can have an effect on other areas of the body, including the upper and lower limbs. 
 

What causes neck pain?

In many instances, the exact cause of neck pain may never be known, but some of the most common causes believed to be behind the majority of cases include:

• Sleeping in an awkward position

• Bad posture

• Trapped nerve

• An injury, such as from a vehicle collision or fall
   

The pain you experience may also differ. It may be a constant dull ache or a sharp pain that occurs when you place your head a certain way or perform a specific movement, such as turning your head from side to side.

In many cases, neck pain may be accompanied by other symptoms, including swelling or inflammation in the neck, pain that radiates into the shoulders or upper arms, or headaches.