What Huffman Texas Residents Think of Neck Pain Manipulation vs Other Treatments
Mechanical neck pain affects an estimated 70% of people at some point in their lives. Many different treatment approaches are available for neck pain, making it difficult for those suffering from neck pain to know which treatment approach(es) to choose. Research in this topic has revealed some very interesting information that places chiropractic and spinal manipulation in a VERY STRONG POSITION - in fact, at the TOP OF THE HEAP!
One such study looked at benefits of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) in patients with acute and subacute neck pain. This study compared three study group: 1. SMT only, 2. medication only, and 3. Home exercise and advice (HEA). This study randomized 272 neck pain patients suffering from neck pain for 2 to 12 weeks into a 12 week treatment period using 1 of the 3 treatment approaches tracking the results with the participant-rated pain as the primary treatment outcome measure. Secondary outcome data was obtained from other approaches. The results showed that the group treatd with SMT, "...had a statistical advantage over medication after 8, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. HEA also had a statistical advantage over medication. Lastly, similar benefits were calculated between the SMT and exercise group. The Conclustions upport SMT and exercise/advise to be the choice over medication for acute and subacute neck pain patients. Regarding exercise, a similar study showed that "high-dosed supervised strengthening exercise" with and without SMT, was superior to a "low dose home mobilization exercise and advice group at 4, 12, 26, and 52 weeks"
Regarding chronic neck pain patients (that means pain that has been present for greater than 3 months), this study evaluated the changes that occurred in 191 patients. These patients ere randomized to 11 weeks of 1 of 3 treatment groups and evaluated at 3, 6, 12, & 24 months after treatment. The 3 treatment options included: 1. Spinal manipuative therapy (SMT) only, 2. SMT treatment with low-tech neck exercises, or 3. A form of exercises using a MedX rehab machine. The results support the highest level of satisfaction was found in the 2nd group (SMT with low-tech exercise), suggesting that when patients present for treatment, spinal manipulation with low-tech exercises results in the most satisified patient. These findings are important as this tudy evaluated the LONG-TERM benefits in patients who have had neck pain for a long time (i.e., "chronic"), where most studies only look at the short-term benefits.
Similar conclusions were reported from perhaps the largest scale study on neck pain based on research from 1980 to 2006 on the use, effectiveness and safety of noninvasive treatment approaches for neck pain and associated disorders. Their review of over 350 articles supported manual therapy (manipulation and mobilzation) and supervised exercise to again, SHINE in their conclusions.
What is important is that ALL these studies support what chiropractors do: manipulate the neck and give supervised exercises! So, what are you waiting for? SPREAD THE WORD to everyone that you know who has neck pain -- CHIROPRACTIC MAY BE THE BEST CHOICE!!!
We realize you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services in Crosby, Highlands, Dayton, and the Huffman areas. If you, a friend, or family member requires care for neck pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.