How Chiropractors Diagnose Neck Pain?

Your chiropractor will perform a physical examination to examine the neck and surrounding area. He will also ask for your past medical history and may order some imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis. These may include an x-ray or MRI.

Both physical examination and imaging tests will help your chiropractor diagnose the underlying cause of the neck pain and make a specific treatment plan – customised to your needs.

Chiropractic Treatments for Neck Pain

 After reaching the diagnosis, your chiropractor will do a combination of chiropractic techniques to help relieve pain and stiffness. These therapies may include manual therapy, spinal manipulation, electrotherapy, and use of specific tools as part of your treatment plan.

Some of the common chiropractic techniques used to treat neck pain include;

Flexion-Distraction Technique

 Instead of direct force, this gentle, hands-on spinal manipulation technique involves a pumping action to press and manipulate neck vertebrae. The use of specific instrument-assisted force gently repositions the displaced joints and allows the chiropractor to realign the spine.

Spinal Manipulation

 As its name suggests, it is a manual manipulation technique that uses a gentle thrusting force to help restore joint movement. Realignment of the joints also helps relieve neck pain and boost healing.

Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Therapy

 This technique involves the use of special instruments or tools to diagnose and treat neck problems. These may include

• Manual resistance and joint stretching to help reduce neck pain and
• Therapeutic massage to soften and relax the tensed
• Use of specific tools as a part of trigger point therapy to relieve tight, painful muscle

Interferential electrical stimulation

Also known as electrotherapy, this technique involves the use of low frequency electrical current to relieve neck pain and stimulate muscles.

Ultrasound therapy

Ultrasound waves have strong healing properties. They penetrate deep into the neck muscles and stimulate healing – helping in relieving pain and inflammation.

Therapeutic exercises

 Chiropractic care isn’t only about those “cracking sounds” and manipulation – it also involves therapeutic exercises. Your chiropractor will advise certain neck exercises that will help increase flexibility and improve overall range of motion in your neck.