There is nothing worse than nagging neck pain. From constant headaches to disturbed sleep, neck pain can make you down right miserable. An estimated 19 million Americans experience neck pain annually, and some patients chose to receive spinal manipulation to relieve the pain. But what exactly is spinal manipulation? And how safe is it?
Spinal manipulation of the neck is a form of manual therapy that involves a quick rotation of the neck to one side, by a qualified practitioner. The technique is associated with an audible crack or popping sound of the joints, and it is used to treat muscle-tension headaches, neck pain or stiffness, and migraines. Whether this technique is safe or not is hotly debated. On one side of the debate, there is evidence to show that spinal manipulation is safe and effective. But on the other side of the debate, there are studies that demonstrate the risks associated with this treatment.
In a recent article, published in the Journal of Neurosurgery, it was shown that spinal manipulation of the neck could damage the vertebral and carotid arteries, causing a stroke in some cases. However, in another study, it was shown that spinal manipulation does not damage the arteries of the neck. So who is right? At this point, no one can definitively say if spinal manipulation is safe or not. Currently, there is no way to determine if an individual is at an increased risk for stroke or added injury with spinal manipulation. Even if a practitioner rules out all red-flags and contraindications, some patients remain inherently at risk of suffering a stroke or vertebral damage from spinal manipulation.
Therefore, should spinal manipulation for neck pain be abandoned? Well, the jury is still out. More research is required to determine the safety and efficacy of this type of treatment. If you are one of the millions of Americans suffering from neck pain, come visit our office and our physicians at the New York Pain Management Group will be happy to discuss treatment options with you.
*DISCLAIMER: These are not medical diagnoses or suggestions for any specific individuals. They are an overview of various conditions, treatments and topics discussed by New York Pain Management Group. If you would like to discuss your symptoms in greater detail, do not hesitate to contact the New York Pain Management Group. To learn more about treatment options for this and other pain conditions, contact us today at www.nopainny.com or call at 1-888-789-NOPAIN! We will be happy to assist you.