Taking Control of Neck Pain
Common causes of neck pain include watching TV, using a computer, reading a book, or talking on the phone, especially with the receiver held on your shoulder or under your chin. Fortunately, this pain usually subsides within a short period of time, particularly if you discontinue the offending activity for a while.
On the other hand, chronic neck pain, the kind that does not go away or keeps coming back, can be a far more serious and debilitating problem.
Current treatment of chronic neck pain runs from anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medications to group exercise, neck massage, manipulation, and neck-specific strengthening exercises. In a study designed to evaluate this approach, 76 men and women with chronic neck pain received active care, home care, or simple exercise recommendations.
Active care included postural control exercises, relaxation training to reduce muscle tension, and cervical muscle endurance and coordination training. Home care included a neck lecture and exercises to perform at home. The control group received a lecture on neck care and general exercise recommendations.
Patients in the active group reported greater satisfaction, reduced pain severity, and improved working ability at three and twelve months compared with the home and control groups.
If neck pain is putting a crimp in your day, schedule an appointment with your doctor of chiropractic. For more information, visit this neck pain resource.
Contact Keller Spine and Auto Injury at 817-798-4226.
Reference: Taimela S, Takala E, Asklof T, et al. Active treatment of chronic neck pain: a prospective randomized intervention. Spine 2000;25(8):1021-27.