Most neck pain is short-lived, and most people recover without anything complicated. This post covers what usually helps and where chiropractic care fits.
What usually helps
The NHS (a UK source) advice on neck pain says "most neck pain only lasts a few weeks" and that "it's better to keep your neck moving" unless a doctor tells you not to. It suggests neck flexibility exercises, a low, firm pillow, and heat or cold packs, and advises against wearing a neck collar. It points to physiotherapy through NHS musculoskeletal services as one source of help.
What the research says about chiropractic care
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says spinal manipulation "can be helpful for acute neck pain." For chronic neck pain, it says these treatments "may reduce pain and improve function," but the evidence was "of low-to-moderate quality." That's a real signal, and it's also a modest one.
NCCIH also covers massage: "Massage therapy may be helpful for neck or shoulder pain, but the benefits may only last for a short time."
The rare risk you should know about
NCCIH says neck-focused manipulation "has been linked to small, potentially dangerous tears in the artery walls in the neck," which are rare but can lead to a stroke. We cover this in more detail in our post on the safety of chiropractic care. Tell your chiropractor about any recent neck injury before treatment.
When to get it checked
The NHS says to see a doctor if neck pain or stiffness does not go away after a few weeks, painkillers have not worked, you are worried about the pain, or you have other symptoms such as pins and needles or a cold arm, which could be something more serious.
Next step
If neck pain isn't settling, book online or call 484.455.4664. Keep It Kinetic Chiropractic is at 3254 W Ridge Pike, Suite 202, Pottstown, PA 19464.
Related care at Keep It Kinetic
Further reading: NIH NCCIH: Chiropractic In Depth