Cervical vertebrae pain, a.k.a cervicalgia or neck pain, is a condition that has become quite rampant nowadays. It is usually caused by poor posture, strain, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, herniated discs, pinched nerves, mental stress, and so forth.

In the Philippines, the said condition is a cause of concern because at the national level, the highest age-standardized years lived with disability (YLD) of neck pain from 1990 to 2019 was found in the Philippines (530.1, 95% UI 350.6 to 764.8). This is according to a study that was published at Frontiers in Neurology.

Thanks to chiropractic in Manila, all is not lost for those who are affected by the said condition. Read on and find out how the said form of treatment can improve cervical vertebrae health, alleviate cervicalgia, and enhance overall health.

What is the Purpose of Chiropractic Care for Cervicalgia?

Before anything else, it should be noted that the cervical vertebrae is made up of seven delicate bones that form the neck. With this in mind, it is quite obvious that it is essential when it comes to head support, movement facilitation, and spinal cord protection, among others.

However, due to the complex structure and continual use of the cervical vertebrae, it is quite prone to different conditions that may lead to pain, discomfort, limited mobility, stiffness, and so forth. The long list includes but are not limited to spinal stenosis, pinched nerve, whiplash injuries, and so forth.

Chiropractic care can help relieve the aforementioned ailments in the cervical vertebrae, which develop due to a range of reasons: injury, misalignment, stress, and so forth.

Based on the cause of the ailment, a chiropractor is going to use specific methods to treat the fundamental cause of the condition. He or she is going to perform chiropractic massage, spinal manipulation, etc. to bring the body back to alignment, which can play a significant role when it comes to preventing cervicalgia pain.

This is arguably one of the most attractive, if not the most attractive, aspects of chiropractic care: pain management minus any medication.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Cervical Vertebrae Pain?

Chiropractic care, if done properly by a highly trained doctor of chiropractic, can offer a ton of benefits for individuals who suffer from cervical vertebrae pain.

Reduce inflammation

According to Health Central, a chiropractor may utilize a combination of manual therapy, spinal manipulation, and other techniques to treat cervical vertebrae pain or cervicalgia. Below are some of the most notable ones:

• • Flexion-distraction

This is a gentle, hands-on spinal manipulation that involves some sort of pumping action instead of a direct force. The said action is performed on the intervertebral disc to improve spinal motion, which, in turn, can have a positive impact on overall physical function.

• • Instrument-assisted manipulation

This process utilizes a hand-held instrument that allows a chiropractor to apply just the right amount of force to the spine without the need to thrust the spine area.

• • Interferential Electrical Stimulation

This method utilizes low-frequency electrical current to activate the neck muscles, which can boost blood circulation and can reduce swelling.

It should be noted though that the chiropractic treatments that were elaborated above were simply examples and actual treatment plans may depend on actual chiropractic diagnosis.

Restore Joint Mobility

According to the National Library of Medicine, cervical subluxation can lead to neck pain, restricted head movement, and others. Such issues can be effectively and efficiently addressed by chiro adjustments. Along the way, they improve the range of motion and reduce stiffness.

Enhance Nerve Function

According to the website of Johns Hopkins Medicine, spinal compression can compress the nerves in the neck area. If left untreated, it can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling sensation. Chiropractic massage can be performed to restore optimum spinal alignment and relieve nerve pressure. Afterward, associated symptoms can be alleviated.

How Does a Chiropractor Diagnose Cervical Vertebrae Pain?

To diagnose cervical vertebrae pain or cervicalgia, a chiropractor is going to evaluate the spine as a whole. This is due to the fact that other regions of the neck such as the lumbar (lower back) and thoracic (mid-back) may also be affected. Aside from treating the spine as a whole, a chiropractor is also going to treat the patient as a whole. This means that he or she is going to address other health issues and not just neck pain.

Furthermore, he or she is going to determine areas of restricted movement and look at how patients walk or even work so as to have an idea of their posture and spinal alignment. For instance, conditions such as tech neck can be caused by poor posture and failure to practice proper ergonomics when working. Doing the said measures is essential since a chiropractic doctor can understand the body mechanics of patients.

In addition to the aforementioned procedures, a chiropractic doctor may also inquire about one’s medical history, perform a physical exam, requests for lab tests, etc. In certain cases, imaging tests, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scan may also be performed.

Can Patients Perform Chiropractic Care at Home?

In addition to performing spinal adjustments, a chiropractor may also recommend “homework” to their patients. Homework in the mold of activities that are specifically designed to enhance the benefits of the said treatment. It may include:

• Exercises and stretches.
• Proper ergonomics 
• Icing/heat therapy
• Advice on nutrition, diet, weight or general health.
• Ways to manage stress and relax muscles

Summing up

Cervical vertebrae pain is not addressed or mismanaged can have a negative impact on one’s quality of life. Along the way it may limit work opportunities, engage in recreational activities, and basically enjoy life to the fullest. This is where chiropractic in Manila comes in. It offers an effective, efficient, and safe alternative for managing the said condition and improving overall health.

If you are suffering from cervical vertebrae pain, book an appointment at Posture Perfect Chiropractic. Our doctors of chiropractic can discuss potential treatment options that can help you achieve a pain-free life.