Chiropractic Manipulation for Cervical Spine Issues

The manipulation of the cervical spine or neck is a common technique utilized by doctors of chiropractic for individuals complaining of the upper back, neck, and shoulder/arm pain, in addition to headaches.

What is the benefit of cervical spinal manipulation?

Similar to the treatment for many injuries and/or conditions that affect the thoracic and lumbar spine or back, chiropractic treatment is thought of as the first line of therapy for a range of cervical spine conditions.

Chiropractic treatment aiming for cervical spine pain management includes (but isn’t limited to) a mix of:

• Reducing pain
• Improving movement
• Restoring function into the head and neck region

Patients must be advised that the treatment will start after a complete patient history, physical examination, review of past, family histories, and review of systems are completed. Tests might include X-ray, CT, MRI, EMG/NCV, urine analysis and lab blood, referral to a professional, and more, depending on each case demonstration.

Different Types of Chiropractic Manipulation

There are two general manipulation approaches for spine ailments:

• Cervical spinal manipulation – frequently thought of as the conventional chiropractic adjustment, or even a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique
• Cervical spinal mobilization – which can be a more gentle/less forceful modification, or even a low-velocity, low-amplitude (LVLA) technique moving the joint through a tolerable range of movement.

The combination of the many approaches varies from patient to patient depending on the healthcare professional’s preferred tactics and tastes, the patient’s comfort and tastes, and the patient’s response to the treatment, in addition to previous experience and observations made during therapy.

Chiropractors may also use therapy to treat other cervical spine complaints. Adjunctive therapies may include a therapeutic heat program, massage exercises, and more. Chiropractic manipulation can handle numerous causes of neck pain. It’s not a cure for every single type of neck problem. Two causes of pain which originate in the neck and may be treated by manipulation comprise mechanical neck pain and disc problems.

Mechanical Neck Pain

Mechanical neck pain comprises pain associated with the tendons, joint capsules, ligaments, and/or fascia. This type of issue is a frequent cause of neck pain and stiffness.  Facet joint issues are a well-known case of mechanical neck pain. The facets are located in the back of the neck. If a facet joint is hurt or sprained, pain may be localized or may radiate along other upper extremities. The pain pattern depends upon the specific level and is unique.

Cervical Disc Issues

Tears may develop in the cervical disc, and/or the inside of the disc (the nucleus) may herniate through the outer area (the annulus) and trap or pinch the nerve root as it leaves the spine.

Cervical nerve root irritation can frequently refer to pain down the arm and into the hand, typically affecting particular areas like the 4th and 5th digits, the palms side thumb to 3rd fingers, and/or the back of the hands on the thumb, index finger side of the hand, depending on which nerve root is irritated.

On rare occasions, if the disc’s nucleus herniates straight backward, it can compress the spinal cord, create symptoms in the legs, and impact the bowels and/or bladder function. On such occasions, the patient needs to be referred to a spine surgeon for prompt care.

These are two examples of types of cervical spine conditions which may be treated with spinal manipulation. The patient needs to receive a whole exam prior to receiving any kind of manipulation.

Additional Topics: Wellness

Overall, health and wellness are essential for maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating balanced nutrition, exercising, and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.

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