Neck pain: most of us have experienced it (75% of us, as a matter of fact). Neck pain is one of the most common ailments seen by chiropractors. In the U.S., neck pain is second to back pain and headaches (which are tied for first) for pain experienced by people, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Chiropractors are practitioners of neuro-musculoskeletal care and so are ideally suited to help stop and prevent neck pain. Chiropractors are highly educated in the neuro (nerve) anatomy and musculoskeletal (bones and muscles) anatomy of the neck and offer a nonpharmacological (drug-free) and nonsurgical form of care that has been shown to be exceptionally successful at removing neck pain.

The neck is made up of seven bones that are stacked on top of each other, with a hole in the center of the bones to allow the spinal cord to travel unimpeded. From the spinal cord, nerve roots extend that travel between the spinal bones. Once outside the spinal column, the nerve roots branch into millions of nerves, which supply nerves to all the tissues, organs, and systems of the body. Sometimes these nerve roots get pinched by the spinal bones, which may cause neck pain, headaches (including migraines), muscle tightness, and other health issues. Chiropractors work to take the pressure off pinched nerve roots, which helps get rid of the neck pain, headaches, muscle tightness, etc.

Many studies and millions of chiropractic treatments for neck pain have overwhelmingly demonstrated the efficacy of chiropractic treatments for neck pain. In order to treat neck pain, a chiropractor will first perform a thorough exam of the neck, and possibly take x-rays of the neck bones. The chiropractor will then treat the neck by means of a chiropractic adjustment.

If you have any questions about this blog post, chiropractic, neck pain, back pain, or headaches, I can be reached at my Ann Arbor chiropractic office at [email protected].