Neck traction therapyMany of our Practice member suffer from neck or back pain that originates from the spinal discs. The treatment of choice for this type of pain is ‘spinal traction’. Traction simply means to pull the vertebral joints apart in a very controlled way so that the injured disc between the spinal bones can have a better opportunity to heal. Traction is done using a special bed attached to a well calibrated mechanical system that allows a specific ‘pull’ to be applied and sustained for a given period. This type of mechanical traction is more commonly used for lower back problems but can be equally helpful for treating the neck. Home traction units are available so that clients can continue with daily treatment in their home environment once formal therapy is complete.
BENEFITS OF NECK ADJUSTMENTS OUTWEIGH RISKS The benefits of chiropractic care outweigh any potential risks for patients with neck pain. These findings are from a new study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. The analysis included 529 patients cared for by 79 doctors of chiropractic. “Most patients had chronic, recurrent complaints; mild to moderate disability of the neck; and a mild amount of pain at baseline; and two thirds had sought previous care for the presenting complaint in the preceding 6 months.” According to the article, “no serious adverse events were recorded during the study period.” Adverse events after any of the first 3 treatments were reported by 56%. However, only 13% of the study population reported these events to be severe in intensity. “The most common adverse events affected the musculoskeletal system or were pain related, whereas symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, nausea, or ringing in the ears were uncommon (<8%). Only 5 subjects (1%) reported to be much worse at 12 months.” The analysis also showed chiropractic to be highly effective: “Of the patients who returned for a fourth visit, approximately half reported to be recovered, whereas approximately two thirds of the cohort were recovered at 3 and 12 months.” JMPT – July 2007;30:408-18. www.mosby.com/jmpt . |
Chiropractic treatment for neck pain, including spinal manipulation, spinal adjustments, and ultrasound, is a non-invasive and drug-free therapy.
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rel=”author”>Masoud Shamaeizadeh