fbpx
Your Guide To Doctors, Health Information, and Better Health!
Your Health Magazine Logo
The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Sherri Beauchamp, DC, CCSP
Say Goodbye To Neck Pain
Medi-Wellness of Calvert

Say Goodbye To Neck Pain

Consulting a chiropractor for neck pain and headaches might seem obvious to a person who has experienced chiropractic and who associates an adjustment with the release of tension, increased motion, and pain relief.
For others, chiropractic treatment of the neck brings to mind a different picture. What could be the benefit of popping the bones in the neck? When family doctors are asked about neck manipulation, they often visualize an abrupt twisting of the neck and occasionally are apt to sound a note of alarm when a patient seeks chiropractic care for a cervical injury.
Similar to medical doctors, chiropractors use diagnostic indicators to differentiate types of neck problems. They offer a unique and valuable mechanical approach to a wide range of cervical problems. Chiropractors do not twist the neck or perform painful maneuvers. Manipulation or adjusting as performed by chiropractors is a precise and gentle therapy whose aim is to return motion to restricted spinal joints and to improve the overall mechanics of the spine.
History taking is the first step in diagnosing the cervical spine (neck). Because chiropractors so often treat conditions that are “functional” in nature, that is conditions which are not a frank medical disease, and in which signs and symptoms are often important clues to diagnosis, chiropractors emphasize in-depth history taking.
Initially the chiropractor will want to know if there has been an accident or injury. A patient who has sustained a neck fracture will present with an abnormally stiff and painful neck. The chiropractor will want to know if there has been trauma to the neck from a fall or other traumatic incident. If there is suspicion of a neck fracture from such an incident, or secondary to an organic disease, the chiropractor will call for a spinal x-ray or imaging study prior to any further examination of the neck.
Chiropractic views mechanical problems, such as neck pain or extremity injuries to the knee or the shoulder, in the context of the whole body, and the “whole person.” All presenting complaints are seen in the context of the totality of work, family, habits, diet, exercise, and most importantly, the life stresses that may be impacting the patient.
In diagnosing neck pain, the chiropractor will want to know if there has been shoulder or arm pain accompanying the neck symptoms and whether there has been numbness or loss of strength in the arms. Whether headaches accompany the neck pain or there has been a sudden onset of a severe headache, are important issues discussed during the chiropractic interview. When consulting initially with a chiropractor they will discuss treatment options and likely outcome. It is highly likely that you can be another satisfied customer.
Patient Satisfaction
“Chiropractic patients were found to be more satisfied with their back care providers after four weeks of treatment than were medical patients. Results from observational studies suggested that back pain patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than with medical care. Additionally, studies conclude that patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than they were with physical therapy after six weeks.” Hertzman-Miller et al (2002), American Journal of Public Health
Popularity of Chiropractic
“Chiropractic is the largest, most regulated, and best recognized of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) professions. CAM patient surveys show that chiropractors are used more often than any other alternative provider group and patient satisfaction with chiropractic care is very high. There is steadily increasing patient use of chiropractic in the United States, which has tripled in the past two decades.” Meeker, Haldeman (2002), Annals of Internal Medicine.

www.yourhealthmagazine.net
MD (301) 805-6805 | VA (703) 288-3130