CHIROPRACTIC BEATS MEDS IN TREATING NECK PAIN

Do you or someone you love suffer from neck pain? If so, we've got good news for you! Research shows that Chiropractic was more effective than medication in both the short and long term treatment of neck pain. A study published in the Jan. 3, 2012 issue of the research journal Annals of Internal Medicine suggests spinal manipulation is more effective than over-the-counter and prescription medication for relieving acute neck pain. 

The study involved 272 adults ages 18-65 with neck pain of lasting 2 to 12 weeks. Spinal manipulation was provided courtesy of a doctor of chiropractic. As an alternative to Chiropractic care, some patients in the study group received medication as monitored by a licensed medical physician. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen (aspirin), or both served as the first line of pharmacological therapy and those patients who did not respond to or could not tolerate these drugs, narcotic medications and muscle relaxants were prescribed.

The results? "Participants who received medication seemed to fare worse, with a consistently higher use of pain medications for neck pain throughout the trial's observational period," said the study authors. In other words, Chiropractic was a much better choice than medication for neck pain.

Interestingly enough, a third group of patients who received home exercise advice instead of chiropractic care or medication also fared better than the medication group during the study period. That means two forms of conservative, drug-free care - both of which are commonly provided by doctors of Chiropractic - were more effective than over-the-counter and/or prescription drugs.

So remember that the solution to neck pain doesn't lie in a bottle, it's in the trusted hands of your Chiropractor.