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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
doesn’t go away or that keeps “coming back,” can be a far
more serious and debilitating problem.
Current treatment of chronic neck pain runs the proverbial
gamut, from anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medications
to group gymnastics, neck massage and manipulation. Neck-specific
strengthening exercises have also been suggested as a potential
treatment option. In a recent study designed to evaluate this
potential, 76 men and women with chronic neck pain received
active care, home care, or simple recommendations on exercising.
 Active care included postural control exercises, relaxation
training to reduce muscle tension, and cervical muscle endurance/coordination
training. Home care comprised a neck lecture and training
on exercises to be performed at home. The third treatment
protocol (the control group) received a lecture on neck care
and general recommendations to exercise.
Patients in the active group reported greater satisfaction,
reduction in pain severity, and improvements in working ability
at three and 12-months compared with the home group and the
control group.
If neck pain’s putting a crimp in your day, it’s about time
you did something about it. For more information on neck pain
and the various treatment options available to you, schedule
an appointment with your doctor of chiropractic. And for information
on line, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/neckpain.html.
Reference:
Taimela S, Takala E, Asklof T, et al. Active treatment of
chronic neck pain: a prospective randomized intervention.
Spine 2000: Vol. 25, No. 8, pp1021-27.
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