The overall alignment and health of your spine play a considerable role in determining your well-being. That’s because your spine is far more than just the central support structure for your entire body. It is also a critical pathway by which essential nerve to brain communication occurs. When this pathway is disrupted by displaced or misaligned vertebrae, this vital communication network is hindered, and countless problems can occur.
With chiropractic neck adjustment, it’s possible to undo the damages caused by jarring, impact accidents, prolonged periods of sitting and craning the neck, repetitive motion activities, and other unhealthy life habits and events. However, like many consumers, you may be wondering whether or not chiropractic neck adjustment is dangerous. Chiropractors perform neck adjustments with thoughtfulness and precision. They apply very small amounts of controlled pressure to specific spinal areas in order to finesse displaced vertebrae back into their rightful places.
The goal of these efforts is to facilitate and support the body’s natural healing processes, and to promote rapid and lasting relief. When compared to the potential drawbacks and side effects of invasive surgery and potentially addictive pain medications, hands-on therapies from a chiropractor generally entail very little risk. Moreover, all chiropractors perform comprehensive examinations on their clients before getting started. They work hard to learn about patients’ medical histories, the current state of health, and other factors that might impact the safety and success of neck adjustments and other in-office treatments. The more that patients disclose their well-being and pasts during their initial visits; the more individualized and needs-specific their care can ultimately become.
Factors That Might Affect The Outcome Of Chiropractic Neck Adjustment
Chiropractic neck adjustments are typically performed in instances in which areas of minor subluxation are affecting a person’s comfort and well-being. For instance, if you have misaligned areas in the upper cervical spine, you may be dealing with:
- Migraines
- Recurring headaches
- Soreness in surrounding muscles that are overcompensating
- Joint dysfunction
- Limited losses in neck mobility
along with other functional issues. Subluxations of the upper cervical spine also impact the body’s ability to relay messages between the nerves and brain effectively, which can also cause a chemical imbalance, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and many other problems. By gently correcting subluxated or misaligned areas over the course of several office visits, a chiropractor can address the pain and discomfort that you’re feeling right now, right at its source. There are, however, certain instances in which manual or computer-assisted adjustments may not be the best choice for therapy.
This could be the case when disks have degenerated significantly, when inflammation is severe if spinal damages and loss of mobility are extreme, and when general health issues exist such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or other problems affecting the circulatory system. This is why chiropractors perform initial patient examinations, inquire about general health, and attempt to structure their care according to the needs of the individual. Even in instances in which spinal adjustments are not the best, first step inpatient care, there are many alternative therapies for promoting better alignment and functioning of this key structure. For instance, ultrasound therapy can be used to alleviate local inflammation and pain. Inversion can be applied to alleviate spinal stress and to facilitate the movement of displaced vertebrae back to their rightful positions.
Therapeutic massage can also be employed to reduce stress in surrounding muscle groups, improve spinal alignment, and provide rapid pain relief. Many people see chiropractors with the goal of avoiding invasive surgery and prescription pain medications. The natural, hands-on therapies that are provided in the chiropractic environment aim to address functional problems right at their source. They are also frequently paired with additional services and recommendations for lifestyle changes aimed at preventing similar injuries in the future. These can include:
- Postural correction services
- Structured weight loss and weight management plans
- Supplementation advice
- Targeted strength-building exercises
When performed correctly and as part of individualized and multi-pronged treatment plans, chiropractic neck adjustments can resolve alignment problems that might otherwise have uncomfortable and increasingly widespread effects. If you’re ready to overcome the lingering pain of a car crash, a trip and fall accident, or a work or lifestyle-related injury, we can help. Call us now at 205-637-1363.
