Neck Pain 3D

27 3D animated videos available to view for neck, back spinal conditions, diseases,  pains and injuries these can be found listed under ”Pain Management” “Orthopaedics” &  ”Complementary Medicine” in our Videos Library section.  A further 100 3D animated videos  are also available in ”Orthopaedics” “Pain Management “ & ”Complementary   Medicine.” To view the Videos Library please click in top right hand corner.

Neck Pain

Neck pain  is common, often persistent, and responds poorly to medication. So it is encouraging to read that a relatively novel, non-invasive treatment shows evidence of effectiveness. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 randomised controlled trials of low-level laser therapy (LLLT)’ yielded 820 patients, for whom data was pooled. LLLT was found to reduce pain immediately after treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain. Low-level laser – or cold laser – is yet to be established as a medical treatment but, according to Wikipedia, papers are appearing at the rate of around 25 per month, mainly investigating treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

(View our Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy section list under pain relief )

1. Chow RT, Johnson Ml, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. Lancet 2009 Dec 5;374(9705):1897-908.

Cold or Low Laser Therapy(LLLT) has been tested in over 200 clinical trials (RCTs) and published in the world’s top medical journals including a review by The Lancet, a clinical study in the journal PAIN and is acknowledged by the World Health Organisation Bone and Joint Task Force (published in the journal Spine).

(View our Cold/Low Level Laser Therapy Section listed under pain relief )

Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD Research)

“Whiplash”(WAD). FROM: Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine 1999; 21 (1): 22–25 university Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bristol, UK Khan S, Cook J, Gargan M, Bannister G

Objective:To determine which patients with chronic “whiplash” (WAD) will benefit from chiropractic treatment.

Design: Retrospective review by structured telephone interviews of 93 consecutive patients seen in chiropractic clinic. Setting: Independent chiropractic clinic in a large city. Subjects: 93 patients, 68 female. Main outcome measure: Gargan and Bannister grading pre and post treatment.

Results:

Three groups of patients were recognised.

Group 1 consisted of patients with isolated neck pain associated with a restricted range of neck movement.

Group 2 consisted of patients with neurological symptoms or signs associated with a restricted range of movement.

Group 3 comprised patients who described severe neck pain but all of whom had a full range of neck movement. Patients in this group often described an unusual group of symptoms, with a bizarre, non-dermatomal pain distribution. There was a significant difference in outcome between the three groups (p<0.001) with only groups 1 and 2 improving following chiropractic manipulation.

Conclusion:

“Whiplash”(WAD) and neck injuries are common. Chiropractic is the only proven effective treatment in chronic cases. Our study enables patients to be classified at initial assessment in order to target those patients who will benefit from such treatment.

When Should You Seek Medical Care?

Cases of severe neck pain occur following an injury such as motor vehicle accident, blow to the head or fall related accident. Only a trained professional, such as a paramedic, should immobilize the patient to avoid the risk of further injury and possible paralysis. Medical care should be sought immediately.

Immediate medical care should also be sought when an injury causes pain in the neck that radiates down the arms and legs. Radiating pain or numbness in your arms or legs causing weakness in the arms or legs without significant neck pain should also be evaluated. If there has not been an injury, you should seek medical care when neck pain is:

• continuous and persistent
• severe
• accompanied by pain that radiates down the arms or legs
• accompanied by headaches, numbness, tingling, or weakness

Diagnosis

Determining the source of the pain is essential to recommend the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Therefore, a comprehensive examination is required to determine the cause of neck pain.

Your Chiropractor will take a complete history of the symptoms you are having with your neck. The Chiropractor may ask you about other illnesses, any injury that occurred to your neck, and any complaints you have associated with neck pain. Previous treatment for your neck condition will also be noted.

Chiropractor will also perform a physical examination. This examination may include evaluation of neck motion, tenderness of the neck and the function of the nerves and muscles in your arms and legs.

X-rays often will be obtained to allow your Chiropractor to look at the bones in your neck. This entails simple diagnostic imaging study (radiography) and aids your Chiropractor to determine the cause of neck pain and to prescribe effective treatment.

Further evaluation may involve the following:

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This non x-ray study allows an evaluation of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
• CT (computed tomography). This specialized x-ray study allows careful evaluation of the bone and spinal canal.
• EMG (electromyography). This test evaluates nerve and muscle function.

Treatment

The treatment of neck pain depends on the diagnosis. Most patients are treated successfully with Chiropractic care or Physiotherapy. Also rest, medication, immobilization, exercise, activity modifications, or a combination of these methods can be very useful.

Inflammation is a result of stretching muscles and ligaments beyond their limits, this therapy is extremely affective in the treatment of inflammation. Cold or Low level laser therapy a five star rating for soft tissue neck injuries (“Whiplash”). Surgery is required in very few cases to relieve neck pain. For most patients, a combination of Chiropractic care, rest, medication, and Physiotherapy will relieve neck pain. Surgery may be necessary to reduce pressure on the spinal cord or a nerve root when pain is caused by a herniated disc or bony narrowing of the spinal canal. Surgery may also be required following an injury to stabilize the neck and minimize the possibility of paralysis, such as when a fracture results in instability of the neck.