Neck Pain
Why It Happens, How We Can Help
Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide and a leading cause of disability, second only to lower back pain. It's responsible for reduced work capacity, and reduced quality of life in millions. Fortunately, Chiropractic care can help.
For many people, neck pain becomes recurrent or chronic, often accompanied by headaches, shoulder tension, and reduced concentration. Understanding what the research says helps us make informed decisions about care that is safe, appropriate, and effective.
Below we go into detail about what causes neck pain, what the research says, how Chiropractic care may help resolve this problem for you and what to do next.
Why Neck Pain Happens
Neck pain commonly develops due to a combination of factors, including:
- Reduced movement or joint dysfunction in the cervical spine
- Altered nervous system signalling
- Sustained postural load, especially prolonged screen use
- Compensatory muscle tension and guarding
While imaging such as X-ray or MRI is valuable for ruling out fractures, infection, or serious pathology, it does not assess how well the neck joints move or how effectively the nervous system is functioning.
Many cases of neck pain are classified as non-specific, meaning there is no serious disease present, but function is impaired.
To discover the cause of your specific neck pain a full examination is required.
Rather than continuing to read through pages of information, simply give our team at call and take action.
What the Research Says About Chiropractic
Effectiveness of Chiropractic for Neck Pain
Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), a core component of Chiropractic care, has been extensively studied for neck pain.
Systematic reviews and clinical trials have shown that SMT can improve pain intensity and function in both acute and chronic neck pain, with outcomes comparable to other recommended conservative treatments such as exercise therapy and physiotherapy (Gross et al., 2015; Coulter et al., 2019).
A large clinical practice guideline concluded that manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, should be considered a first-line option for many patients with mechanical neck pain (Bussieres et al., 2017).
Dose and Structure of Care
Research suggests that structured care delivered over multiple sessions is more effective than isolated or sporadic treatment.
Studies indicate that repeated, targeted Chiropractic care may lead to greater improvements in pain and disability than fewer visits, particularly for chronic or recurrent neck pain (Haas et al., 2014).
This supports the importance of assessment, planning, and progress evaluation rather than one-off treatment.
Comparisons with Other Treatments
Evidence shows that:
- Chiropractic may provide better improvements in pain and function compared to exercise-based rehabilitation for neck pain
- Chiropractic care may be more effective as physiotherapy for certain neck pain presentations
- Combining manual therapy with exercise often leads to better outcomes than either approach alone
- Clinical guidelines consistently recommend conservative care before invasive or pharmacological interventions.
Do not get neck surgery for chronic non-specific neck pain without getting Chiropractic care first.
This has shown to lead to consistently worse outcomes long term and always results in decreased function of the cervical spine.
Don't take risks with your health, come in and speak to our professional Chiropractors today for honest guidance and recommendations that best serve you.
Safety Profile
When delivered by trained and registered Chiropractors following proper examination and clinical reasoning, cervical spinal manipulation is considered safe.
Research has shown that any negative reported side effects are mild and temporary, such as short-lived soreness or stiffness. Serious adverse events are extremely rare and occur more often when Chiropractic is performed without adequate training, particularly when patients aren't appropriately screened and red flags haven't been correctly ruled out (Rubinstein et al., 2019).
This reinforces the importance of assessment-driven care rather than routine or generic treatment.
This is why we follow the Health Blueprint™ process. Assessment always comes before treatment.
At Adjusting to Health we don't guess, we test.
Many GPs Refer to us for Neck Pain
As research and practice standards have evolved, many GPs now refer patients with neck pain for Chiropractic assessment, particularly when:
- Pain is recurrent or chronic
- Imaging has ruled out serious pathology
- Conservative care has not yet been trialled
- Patients want non-drug, non-surgical options
This reflects growing recognition that Chiropractic care, when delivered appropriately, has a strong safety profile and outcomes comparable to other conservative therapies.
When Chiropractic May Not Be Appropriate
Chiropractic care may not be the best option when:
- Red flags for systemic conditions suspected
- Severe trauma or instability
- Infection or open wounds
Its difficult to make this judgement alone. That's why our Chiropractors always perform a thorough examination procedure under the Health Blueprint™ process. In these cases where our Chiropractors determine that your case is not suitable for Chiropractic care, referral back to your GP or specialist is always prioritised.
Research
Bussieres AE, et al. (2017) The Treatment of Neck Pain-Associated Disorders and Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
Coulter ID, et al. (2019) Manipulation and Mobilization for Treating Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Pain Physician.
Gross A, et al. (2015) Manipulation and Mobilisation for Neck Pain Compared with Other Treatments. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Haas M, et al. (2014) Dose-response for Chiropractic Care of Chronic Neck Pain. Spine Journal.
Rubinstein SM, et al. (2019) Benefits and Harms of Spinal Manipulative Therapy for the Treatment of Neck Pain. BMJ.
