Beyond the Cracks: How Chiropractic Can Help Your Neck

A Chiropractor's Guide to Neck Pain Relief

Chiropractic for neck pain offers a safe, non-invasive approach to treating a musculoskeletal problem that affects nearly 50% of the population annually. Research shows that chiropractic manipulation can effectively treat acute neck pain and reduce the need for prescription medications.

Quick Answer: What You Need to Know About Chiropractic for Neck Pain

• Effectiveness: Clinical trials show high-quality evidence that spinal manipulation safely treats chronic neck pain.

• Treatment Duration: Most patients see relief in 5-10 visits for short-term neck issues.

• Safety: Minor side effects like soreness occur in only 7.8% of patients.

• Patient Satisfaction: 96% of patients report being satisfied with chiropractic care.

• Pain Relief: Studies show significant improvements in pain levels following treatment.

• Hormone Benefits: Chiropractic treatment may increase natural pain-relieving hormones like oxytocin.

Hello! I'm Dr. Michelle Andrews, founder of ChiroHer in Oklahoma City. Whether your neck pain stems from poor posture, "tech neck," whiplash, or stress, understanding your options is the first step toward relief. The cervical spine supports your head while allowing incredible mobility, but this flexibility also makes it vulnerable. I've helped hundreds of patients, from busy professionals to moms, find relief from neck pain through personalized chiropractic treatment plans. My training in drug-free pain therapy has shown me how effective gentle, targeted care can be.

Understanding Chiropractic for Neck Pain

Neck pain can derail your day, making simple tasks feel impossible. At ChiroHer, I've seen how it affects busy professionals and moms. Understanding what's happening in your neck is the key to finding real relief.

What Causes Neck Pain?

Your cervical spine consists of seven small vertebrae (C1-C7) that support your head and allow for a wide range of motion. This flexibility also makes it vulnerable to strain and injury. Common causes I see in my Oklahoma City practice include:

• Poor Posture: Hours spent hunched over a computer can lead to "tech neck," where the head drifts forward, straining muscles and joints.

• Muscle Strains: Simple things like sleeping in an awkward position, carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder, or holding a phone to your ear can create painful muscle tension.

• Worn Joints: Over time, cartilage can break down, leading to osteoarthritis. This can cause bone spurs and narrow the spaces where nerves exit the spine, resulting in nerve compression.

• Injuries: Whiplash from car accidents or sports can damage soft tissues, causing pain that may not appear for days.

Stress and weak core muscles also play a significant role in neck pain by affecting your spinal balance.

How Chiropractic Care Addresses Neck Pain

Instead of just masking symptoms with medication, chiropractic for neck pain focuses on correcting the root cause of the problem. We do this primarily through spinal manipulation, which are gentle adjustments that restore proper movement to the cervical spine.

When neck joints become restricted or misaligned, they can't move correctly. This leads to muscle tightness, inflammation, and nerve irritation. Chiropractic adjustments work by:

• Restoring Mobility: By applying a controlled force to stuck joints, we improve their movement. This allows surrounding muscles to relax.

• Alleviating Nerve Pressure: Correcting misalignments can take pressure off pinched nerves that cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the shoulders and arms.

• Reducing Inflammation: As your spine begins to function better, your body's natural healing processes can work more effectively to reduce inflammation.

Scientific studies on chiropractic for neck pain confirm that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment. Research also shows it can naturally increase pain-relieving hormones like oxytocin.

Common Chiropractic Techniques for Neck Pain

At ChiroHer, I customize every treatment. We may use a combination of techniques, including:

• Spinal Adjustment (Cervical Manipulation): This is our cornerstone treatment. It uses precise movements to restore joint function and improve range of motion.

• Instrument-Assisted Adjustment: For patients who prefer a gentler approach, these tools deliver a precise force without any twisting or popping sounds.

• Flexion-Distraction: This technique uses a special table to gently stretch the spine, reducing pressure on discs and nerves.

• Therapeutic Massage and Mobilization: We often combine adjustments with soft tissue work to address muscle tension and gradually improve flexibility.

You can learn more about our comprehensive approach on our chiropractic services page, where we detail how these techniques work together in your personalized treatment plan.

The Benefits and Risks of Chiropractic for Neck Pain

Patients often report significant benefits from chiropractic for neck pain, and the research supports this.

Benefits:

• Pain Reduction: Many people feel relief shortly after their first adjustment.

• Increased Range of Motion: Improved mobility makes daily activities like driving and working at a computer more comfortable.

• Reduced Need for Medication: Patients receiving chiropractic care are less likely to need opioid prescriptions for neck pain.

• High Patient Satisfaction: Studies show 96% of patients are satisfied with their chiropractic care.

Risks:

• Temporary Soreness: It's common to feel mild soreness or stiffness after an adjustment, similar to post-workout muscle ache. This usually resolves within a day or two.

• Serious Complications: These are extremely rare when treatment is performed by a licensed chiropractor. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health confirms the safety of spinal manipulation by trained professionals.

At ChiroHer, your safety comes first. I conduct thorough examinations and take detailed health histories to identify any conditions that might make certain techniques inappropriate for you. We discuss everything openly so you can make informed decisions about your care.

Making an Informed Decision About Your Care

Choosing the right treatment for your neck pain is an important decision. At ChiroHer, I believe you deserve to understand what to expect so you can make the best choice for your health.

What to Expect from Your Treatment

Your first visit to ChiroHer is all about getting to know you and your pain.

• Consultation and Health History: We'll start by discussing your symptoms, when the pain began, and your health history. This helps me understand you as a whole person, not just your symptoms.

• Physical Examination: I'll perform a hands-on exam to assess your posture, range of motion, and spinal alignment. We'll check for areas of tension and test reflexes to see if any nerves are affected.

• Personalized Treatment Plan: If chiropractic care is right for you, we'll create a custom treatment plan. This may include spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and therapeutic exercises. Sometimes, X-rays may be needed for a complete diagnosis.

For acute neck pain, many patients feel significant improvement within 5-10 visits. Chronic pain that has been present for months or years may take longer to resolve as we work to retrain long-standing patterns. I will always discuss realistic expectations with you.

Is Chiropractic Right for You?

Chiropractic care is effective for many types of neck pain, but it's not for everyone.

You might benefit from chiropractic care if you have:

• Persistent neck pain or stiffness

• Headaches linked to neck tension

• Radiating pain, numbness, or tingling down your arm

• Difficulty turning your head or looking up and down

You should see a medical doctor first for:

• Neck pain following severe trauma, like a car accident or fall

• Red flag symptoms like fever, progressive weakness in your limbs, or loss of bladder/bowel control

• Certain health conditions, such as severe osteoporosis, spinal cancer, or vascular conditions that increase stroke risk

Compared to other treatments, chiropractic care is a non-invasive, drug-free approach that addresses the source of many neck problems. While medication offers temporary relief and physical therapy focuses on rehabilitation, chiropractic adjustments restore proper joint function. This makes it an excellent first-line treatment for most musculoskeletal neck issues.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're dealing with neck pain in the Oklahoma City area, including Yukon, Edmond, Del City, Mustang, and Moore, I'd love to talk with you. Every person's pain is different, and your treatment plan should be too. Book a consultation with us to find out if chiropractic care is the right choice for you.

Building Trust: The Science and Expertise Behind Chiropractic Care

When you're in pain, you need a provider you can trust. At ChiroHer, that trust is built on transparency about our training, commitment to evidence-based care, and dedication to current research.

Like all chiropractors, I completed an intensive four-year doctoral program covering anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, and radiology. My education is ongoing, as new research continually helps us improve how chiropractic for neck pain works. The care you receive is informed by the most current scientific understanding.

The evidence supporting chiropractic care for neck pain is robust. Multiple clinical trials have shown that spinal manipulation safely and effectively treats both acute and chronic neck pain. We use treatments that have been rigorously tested and proven effective, not just ones based on tradition.

We also collaborate with the broader medical community, including medical doctors and physical therapists, to ensure you receive comprehensive care. If you're interested in the science, I recommend exploring resources from reputable organizations like The American Chiropractic Association and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the NIH.

At ChiroHer, we take the time to explain what we're doing and why. We earn your trust through consistent, caring, and evidence-based treatment.

This guide is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for already established medical advice from your healthcare provider.