Content marketing article for Adelaide osteopath and chiropractor Amber Laris. Copywriting, editing and design by Cadogan and Hall.

1. INFORMATION SHEET
Amber Laris
Chiropractor and Osteopath
Chiropractic Treatment for
Neck Pain
Neck pain affects large numbers of the community and is one
of the main ailments afflicting patients that seek advice and
treatment from a chiropractor (second only to lower
back pain). Part of the reason for the neck’s susceptibility
to injury is its flexibility and the work that it’s required
to do in supporting the weight of the head. In
addition, the neck is especially vulnerable to
traumatic injury, is adversely affected by
poor posture and the performing
of repetitive tasks, and is
particularly prone to
deterioration as part
of the ageing
process.
www.amberlaris.com.au

2. The Causes of
Neck Pain
Injuries and accidents are a common
cause of neck pain, whether these be
car accidents, sporting injuries, or pain
to the the neck caused by other sorts
of trauma. Whiplash is one of the most
common types of neck injury, caused
when the head and neck are suddenly
and violently forced in one direction,
and then rebound backwards. This
can create muscle damage resulting
in a severe lack of mobility and pain
in the neck, and can also damage its
joints, ligaments and discs. Sporting
injuries too can take their toll on the
neck, usually through heavy or violent
collisions in contact sports.
Much of what we do
in daily life can also
lead to ongoing or
acute neck problems.
Poor posture
(caused through
muscle imbalance
or bad habits),
being overweight,
the performing
of repetitive tasks
(RSI), or sitting for
long hours in the
office and not taking
enough exercise, can
all be contributory
causes of neck
pain as they can
cause damage to
the muscles, joints,
ligaments, nerves and
blood vessels. Stress
and tension can also
be contributing factors, as this can
create stiffness and soreness in the
neck, inhibiting movement and causing
severe discomfort.
In addition, as we grow older
a combination of the stresses
associated with wear and tear, as well
as degenerative diseases such as
osteoarthritis, can have an impact on
the neck. In such cases, it may be that
the cartilage around the joints in the
neck has deteriorated and this forms
bone spurs which impact on the joint’s
effectiveness, or that the elasticity
of intervertebral discs has declined,
causing them to bulge or herniate.
These conditions will generally lead
to a feeling of stiffness and reduced
mobility in the neck.

3. How Neck Pain Manifests Itself
The manner in which neck pain can manifest itself may vary according to
the type of injury or damage and what the underlying cause was, meaning
that one of the most debilitating effects of suffering neck pain is that it
can cause associated pain in other limbs and joints, most notably in the
shoulders, arms and hands. Neck pain can also lead to headaches and jaw
pain, and this is why it can cause patients such distress, as the symptoms
are often not just limited to the injured or stressed part of the body.
Very often, problems with the joints in the neck and upper back lead to
pain, numbness or tingling in the hands, accompanied by a loss of strength
and coordination, or it may present as aches and stiffness in the shoulders
and upper arms. This can be a dull, throbbing pain, or shooting sensations
through the limbs and extremities. These symptoms can appear suddenly,
or develop slowly over a period of time. Neck pain brought about by
stress and tension can lead to the muscles contracting tightly, resulting in
the loss of the ability to turn or move the neck freely.
In all of these cases, the pain levels caused can be extremely acute,
inhibiting a patient’s ability to function, or they may be manageable for
short periods of time but over a prolonged timeframe they become
chronic and begin to have a deleterious effect on a patient’s quality of life.

4. Chiropractic is a non-invasive,
drug-free, holistic form of
treatment and focusses on
restoring the proper functioning
relationship between the nervous
system and spine, with the
body’s bones, organs, joints,
tissues and muscles. Chiropractic
treatment is premised on
the idea that mobility and
flexibility can be restored to
damaged or deteriorated joints
and surrounding tissues and
muscles through manipulation or
adjustment of the affected area,
and is concerned with restoring
the proper alignment of the
spine so that the body’s nervous
system is able to function
effectively and without irritation.
Therefore, a chiropractic
consultation for neck pain
will involve an examination
and evaluation of your whole
spine, not just the neck. Your
chiropractor will also look at
your posture and the range of
motion you have, to see the
ways in which these might be
impacting upon you. In addition,
your lifestyle, diet and exercise
patterns will also be examined so
as to determine the ways in which
these may have contributed
to your condition, as will your
medical history. Chiropractic is
highly personalised, and so your
treatment will take into account
all of these factors, as well as the
specifics of your complaint.
How a Chiropractor Approaches Neck Pain

5. Chiropractic treatment for neck pain
may include manual treatment, which
might be a combination of chiropractic
adjustments and soft tissue therapy.
Chiropractic adjustments involve a
gentle, painless directed force being
applied to a joint that is experiencing
restricted movement in order to help
it to regain its normal motion. During
a neck adjustment (also known as
cervical manipulation), a popping
noise might be heard, which is trapped
pockets of gas or air being released
in the joint, but this is a very gentle
process and should not cause any
discomfort.
Soft tissue therapy, usually involving
chiropractic massage, is used to release
tension from the muscles around the
affected area so that normal movement
and activity is restored. Trigger point
therapy is another technique that might
be used in addressing neck pain, where
the taut bands that develop within
muscles and cause pain and discomfort
are gently massaged, rectifying the
chemical imbalance that created
the trigger point and decreasing the
tension, which enables the muscle’s
normal functions to be resumed.
Chiropractic treatment may also involve
rehabilitation exercises designed to
help you regain flexibility and return
to a flexible, pain-free posture, as well
as advice and guidance on how to
maintain your proper posture so that
further deterioration is avoided.

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Amber Laris is a long-established chiropractor
and osteopath with a popular practice in the
heart of the Adelaide CBD, and is a member of
the Chiropractic Association of Australia (CAA)
and the Chiropractic and Osteopathic College
of Australasia (COCA). Amber is dedicated
to helping her patients find a natural way
to health and well-being, so please contact
her to discover more about the benefits of
chiropractic and osteopathy, or to arrange a
consultation.
Level 2, 33 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA, 5000
Telephone: (08) 8221 6100
www.amberlaris.com.au
www.amberlaris.com.au
Therapeutic pillows
If you suffer from repeated or chronic neck pain, your chiropractor may also
recommend the use of a therapeutic pillow. Therapeutic pillows can provide
additional support and comfort for anyone suffering from neck or shoulder
pain because they are designed to support your neck and head while you sleep
by having one side higher than the
other. This means that your spine
is aligned more naturally, your
posture is better and your overall
level of comfort is enhanced.