How to Manipulate the Neck for Chiropractic Care

Neck manipulation is one of the safest treatments for neck pain. Although there have been a few documented cases of patients having strokes following cervical (neck) manipulation, statistics indicate that the incidence of stroke following manipulation is only 1 case out of every 8 million patients. The odds are much better of getting struck by lightning.

Things You'll Need

• Appointment with your chiropractor

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Instructions

Manipulate the Neck for Chiropractic Care

• 1

  Make an appointment to see your chiropractor. Take your medical history, list of prior hospitalizations and surgeries and a list of current medications.

• 2

  Know that once organic reasons for your neck pain have been ruled out, your chiropractor will most likely choose to manipulate your neck in order to relieve your pain.

• 3

  Ask your chiropractor if you need x-rays to determine a base line view of your neck and upper spinal region at the height of your pain. Then inquire if future x-rays will be necessary after your neck manipulations have begun.

• 4

  Expect to sit or lie on an adjusting table with your chiropractor standing behind you.

• 5

  Know that your chiropractor will examine your neck joints, one by one, through a series of gentle motions. He or she will check to see if any of the joints have become locked or fixated by taking each joint through its 5 ranges of motion.

• 6

  Understand that if there is a lack of spinal joint motion, your D.C. will tell you that you have a subluxation. This will require your chiropractor to manipulate your neck. Expect to hear a cracking or popping sound as your chiropractor manipulates your neck.

• 7

  Realize that it may take a number of sessions for your neck pain to dissipate.

• 8

  Learn more about chiropractic care by visiting the American Chiropractors Association Web site (see Resources below).