New research suggests that chiropractic care and light physical therapy exercises can relieve neck pain more effectively than medications. The study was published in the The Annals of Internal Medicine, and authored by Dr. Gert Bronfort, a research professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minnesota.
Although this study did not include massage or any other manual therapies, Deep Tissue Massage would be a welcome complement for those suffering chronic neck pain.
Another good point in the Well Blog article was that Dr. Bronfort mentioned the long term negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract from using medications such as Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen or NSAID’s.
I have been regularly receiving Chiropractic care for almost a decade, after a repetitive strain injury to my neck, shoulder and hand. For me, it has made a big difference. My search for a trusted practitioner hasn’t been without its hurdles, however, and I have come to realize that, like people, practitioners vary. I tend to avoid practitioners that make bold claims of curing disease, who prescribe rigid treatment plans, didactic lifestyle changes and unrealistic diets. Lucky for me, my current Chiropractor, Dr. Delene Bivolcic is caring and compassionate, but also direct and pragmatic. I have worked for her office as a massage therapist over the years, and her office has been one of my favorite workplaces in my massage career.
Physical Therapy is equally important in better spine health, and reduced neck pain. Typical exercises would involve gentle movements that aim to increase cervical range of motion, better mobility between cervical vertebrae, and that aim to maintain a healthy cervical curve (the concave curve from the shoulders to the head).