Ashburn and Herndon Chiropractic Relief for Neck Pain: Exercise & Cox® Treatment

Neck pain is a shared issue among office workers and individuals who work long hours in front of computers. In today’s world, who doesn’t spend long hours in front of a computer? Whether you're experiencing chronic discomfort or occasional stiffness, finding effective ways to ease neck pain is vital. Recent studies have demonstrated that particular exercises, especially fixed resistance training and progressive resistance training, can significantly improve neck pain conditions. Exercise combined with chiropractic Cox® Technic treatment of the cervical spine can be quite alleviating! This blog post will explore the effectiveness of these exercises and provide evidence-based insights to facilitate your management of Ashburn and Herndon neck pain more effectively.

UNDERSTANDING NECK PAIN

Neck pain can be caused by a host of factors, including poor posture, extended computer use, and muscle strain. Office workers are particularly vulnerable to neck pain owing to the repetitive type of tasks and the sedentary lifestyle associated with desk jobs. A new study stated that just one hour of computer use by office workers with symptomatic neck pain resulted in signs of neuromuscular deficit of the ulnar nerve, semispinalis muscle and anterior scalene muscle, which may signify a higher risk of neuromuscular impairment of the upper extremities. (1) Your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractor often suggests exercise as a non-invasive treatment alternative to alleviate pain and improve neck function.

THE ROLE OF EXERCISE IN MANAGING NECK PAIN

Combining chiropractic Cox® treatment with exercise is an effective method to manage and reduce neck pain. It helps strengthen the neck muscles, improve posture, and increase flexibility and strength. A systematic review compared the effects of neck exercise to passive or no intervention in adults with chronic neck pain and found that neck exercises notably improved sensory testing measurements and lowered pain levels. (2) Another study explained that chronic neck pain impacts grip strength and psychomotor skills and highlighted the importance of incorporating exercises to improve overall functionality and decrease neck pain symptoms. (3) Two types of exercises that have shown significant benefits for neck pain patients follow:

Fixed Resistance Training – Useful for building strength and stability, fixed resistance training involves using a constant resistance throughout the exercise movement.

• Isometric Neck Exercises: These exercises include maintaining a position for a specified period to engage the neck muscles.
• Neck Extension and Flexion: This involves moving the head up and down in opposition to resistance to strengthen the neck's front and back muscles.
• Chin Tucks: Sit up straight, tuck your chin in the direction of your chest without moving your shoulders, and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Progressive Resistance Training – Helpful in building muscle strength and endurance over time, progressive resistance training involves gradually increasing the resistance or weight used during exercises.

• Theraband Exercises: Using resistance bands to perform neck movements such as lateral flexion and rotation.
• Shoulder Shrugs with Weights: With dumbells in each hand, shrug your shoulders up to your ears. Hold for a few seconds and then lower. Gradually increase the weight as tolerated.

Exercise is a potent tool for managing neck pain. By incorporating it alongside gentle, effective chiropractic Cox® Technic treatment, you can significantly reduce neck pain, boost posture, and increase overall neck function.

CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr.  James Kirk on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares the effectiveness of the gentle protocols of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in decreasing neck pain.

For more personalized advice and guidance, schedule a visit with your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractor today at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn. We’ll talk more about how you can take control of your neck pain and enjoy a more pain-free life.