West Des Moines Chiropractic Relief for Neck Pain: Exercise & Cox® Treatment

Neck pain is a shared issue among office workers and individuals who spend long hours in front of computers. In today’s world, who doesn’t spend long hours in front of a computer? Whether you're dealing with chronic discomfort or occasional stiffness, finding effective ways to alleviate neck pain is vital. New studies have demonstrated that particular exercises, particularly 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 very alleviating! This blog post will look at the effectiveness of these exercises and provide evidence-based insights to facilitate your management of West Des Moines neck pain more efficiently.

UNDERSTANDING NECK PAIN

Neck pain can be caused by various factors, including poor posture, prolonged computer use, and muscle strain. Office workers are particularly vulnerable to neck pain due to the repetitive nature of their 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 triggered signs of neuromuscular deficit of the ulnar nerve, semispinalis muscle and anterior scalene muscle, which may signify more risk of neuromuscular impairment of the upper extremities. (1) Your West Des Moines chiropractor often suggests exercise as a non-invasive treatment option to alleviate pain and improve neck function.

THE ROLE OF EXERCISE IN MANAGING NECK PAIN

Combining chiropractic Cox® treatment with exercise is an effective way for managing and reducing neck pain. It helps strengthen the neck muscles, improve posture, and increase flexibility and strength. A systematic review assessed 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 reduced pain levels. (2) Another study explained that chronic neck pain impacts grip strength and psychomotor skills and emphasized the importance of incorporating exercises to improve overall functionality and reduce neck pain symptoms. (3) Two types of exercises that have shown significant benefits for neck pain patients are:

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

• Isometric Neck Exercises: These exercises include holding a position for a specified period to work the neck muscles.
• Neck Extension and Flexion: This entails moving the head up and down against resistance to strengthen the neck's front and back muscles.
• Chin Tucks: Sit up straight, tuck your chin towards your chest without moving your shoulders, and hold for 5 seconds. Do this 10 times.

Progressive Resistance Training – Effective for building muscle strength and endurance over time, progressive resistance training involves gradually adding to the resistance or weight used during exercises.

• Theraband Exercises: Using resistance bands to do 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 add more 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 enhance overall neck function.

CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa

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

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