According to the American Chiropractic Association or ACA, the neck's vulnerability to injuries is due, at least in part, to biomechanics. The ACA states that factors affecting neck or cervical biomechanics include extended periods of sitting, repetitive movements, accidents, falls, trauma, aging and wear-and-tear. Many neck injuries can be treated using conservative and manual therapies.
Spinal Adjustments
According to the website Spine Universe, spinal manipulative therapy, or SMT, offers an effective mechanical approach to a broad range of neck injuries. SMT is a precise and gentle therapeutic modality that's intended to restore global and segmental range of motion to the neck's joints and promote balanced muscle tone in the neck. A 2004 study by Gert Bronfort, Ph.D., D.C. and colleagues published in "The Spine Journal" concludes that SMT and cervical spine mobilization are viable treatment options for patients with neck pain. The ACA notes that, following SMT, patients often experience a heightened ability to turn and tilt the head, along with a decrease in pain, soreness and stiffness. Chiropractors, physical therapists, naturopathic physicians and allopathic physicians may perform SMT on patients, depending on the state of practice.
Cervical Traction
Spine Universe states that spinal traction--including neck and low back traction--is a therapeutic modality that applies a longitudinal force to the axis of the spinal column to help decompress the spinal joints and intervertebral discs and provide pain relief. With neck traction, the distance between the cervical vertebrae increases slightly, which temporarily relieves discomfort and stabilizes or changes the position of damaged spinal structures. The forces associated with neck traction typically are applied to the skull using weights or other devices. There are many types of home cervical traction units that are portable and cost-effective. Spine Universe states that cervical traction commonly is used for mobilization of soft tissues and spinal joints, decompression of pinched nerve roots associated with degenerative joint disease or herniated intervertebral discs, and to help manage cervical spine instability.
Manual Therapies
Manual therapies often are effective at reducing neck pain and treating neck injuries. According to a 2007 review article by researchers at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College published in the journal "Europa Medicophysica," the evidence base for manual therapies for acute and chronic neck pain contains a relatively large number of clinical trials, systematic reviews and practice guidelines. Examples of manual therapies include myofascial release techniques, trigger point therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and massage. With most manual therapies, the practitioner mobilizes the patient's tissues to help the tissues, especially the muscles, relax. Manual therapies also reduce scar tissue and fascial adhesions that may be causing aberrant movement, and they increase blood flow to the problematic areas to speed healing. The goal of manual therapies for neck injuries is to reduce pain and improve joint range of motion in the cervical spine.
References
- American Chiropractic Association: Chiropractic and Neck Pain
- Spine Universe: Chiropractic and Neck Pain: Conservative Care of Cervical Disorders
- "The Spine Journal"; Efficacy of Spinal Manipulation and Mobilization; Gert Bronfort, Ph.D., D.C. et al.; May 2004
- Spine Universe: Spinal Traction
- "Europa Medicophysica"; Manual Therapy for Neck Pain; H. Vernon et al.; March 2007
