December 03, 2018
Chiropractic: Great for Neck Pain Recovery
According to The American Academy of Pain Medicine, more people in the US suffer with chronic pain than diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer combined. On top of that, neck pain is the third most reported type of pain, beat out only by lower back pain and headaches.
Not surprisingly, a lot of patients come to our Alexandria, KY office seeking neck pain treatment, and Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. has helped many of them find relief. This is a smart decision, as some research indicates that over 90% of neck pain patients improve with chiropractic.
Studies Confirm Chiropractic Works
A report published in The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy included 64 people who were suffering with neck problems. Approximately half were placed in an experimental group and the other half were assigned to a comparison group. Both were given chiropractic adjustments of the neck as well as a home exercise plan, while the experimental group also received adjustments of the thoracic spine.
Data was collected before treatment began and one week after the adjustments. Researchers found that 94 percent of the experimental group reported "significantly greater improvements" in regard to pain and disability in their neck symptoms. Just 35% of the patients who received neck adjustments showed the same level of improvement, illustrating that evaluating the entire spinal column is an important part of restoring the body's normal function.
Yet another study posted in Physical Therapy involved 60 participants between the ages of 18 and 60 who were suffering with neck pain. Each individual was randomly assigned to one of two groups--thoracic spine thrust manipulation or non-thrust manipulation--with follow-up exams occurring two and four days after the treatments.
The investigators found that the study patients who received the thrust manipulations (the same manipulations that offered such positive results in the first study) "experienced greater reductions in disability" than the group that received the non-thrust manipulations. Their pain was lower as well, which shows that this type of approach offers many benefits.
Chiropractic Even Offers Benefits After Failed Neck Surgery
Another study found the same sort of positive results after thoracic adjustments in a patient who had a failed neck surgical treatment. This particular case involved a 46-year-old woman who had recently had neck surgery but still experienced neck pain, headaches, pain in her elbow, and muscle fatigue.
The woman reported reduced pain in her neck and reduced headache intensity, immediately after the first chiropractic adjustments. After six weeks of care, which involved chiropractic, exercise, and patient education, the patient still placed her pain at a zero on a scale of 1 to 10. Her neck disability reduced as well, with a rating score that represented that it was a "great deal better."
It is studies like these that demonstrate the effectiveness of chiropractic techniques, even if you've already attempted neck surgery that didn't provide relief. So, if you are dealing with neck problems and would like to find a solution that has a high success rate, try chiropractic. It may just be the help you're looking for.
Our office is in Alexandria, KY and Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. can help you recover from neck pain. Give us a call today at (859) 448-0056.
References
- AAPM facts and figures on pain. The American Academy of Pain Medicine.
- Masaracchio M, Cleland JA, Hellman M, Hagins M. Short-term combined effects of thoracic spine thrust manipulation and cervical spine nonthrust manipulation in individuals with mechanical neck pain: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 2013;43(3):118-127.
- Cleland JA, Glynn P, Whitman JM, Eberhart SL, MacDonald C, Childs JD. Short-term effects of thrust versus nonthrust mobilization/manipulation directed at the thoracic spine in patients with neck pain: a randomized clinical trial. Physical Therapy 2007;87(4):431-440.
- Salvatori R, Rowe RH, Osborne R, Beneciuk JM. Use of thoracic spine thrust manipulation for neck pain and headache in a patient following multiple-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a case report. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 2014;44(6):440-449.
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Dr. Wagner
Wagner Chiropractic in Alexandria, Kentucky provides quality care to the Northern Kentucky area through the expertise of Dr. Michael Wagner. Dr. Michael Wagner has been providing Chiropractic care to individuals and their families for over 10 years with a focus in spinal care, muscle therapy and weight loss. We also serve the people of Cold Spring and Highland Heights.