By Francis Jo Perl


While the average US citizen may suffer pain in his or her neck, certain groups have more exposure to causes of this discomfort. Those who have served in the United States military are particularly susceptible and prone to injuries that contribute to neck and upper back pain. Doctors of Chiropractic are the health care professionals that military veterans of the United States can turn to for manipulation (often called "adjustments") of the neck vertebrae and cervical spine that can provide quick and long-lasting relief.

Pain of the neck and upper back can be caused by an unavoidable injury such as a whiplash-type injury arising from an aircraft or automobile accident. Service personnel of the military spend much of their time in vehicles of these types and when traveling through high-risk areas, an accident may occur. Though precious lives may not be lost, the people involved may suffer injuries including those that cause discomfort in the neck area. In addition to whiplash, resulting spinal misalignment, improper joint motion and subluxations of the cervical spine may be contributing factors.

Many service people of the military spend years lifting heavy, bulky, awkward items and if done improperly, can result in pain. Those working at desk and office jobs remaining sedentary for extended periods, may cradle telephones on their shoulders, or have ergonomically incorrect workstations resulting in onset of pain in their necks. We are well aware that service personnel are known for their excellent posture while on duty but at other times, they may exhibit poor posture that leads to pain in the neck area. Even excessive repetitive neck motions caused by repeated routines or poor sleeping positions can make pain flare up.

When pain inducing activities are left uncorrected and treatment isn't rendered, the condition may worsen. Many veterans find themselves with pain after their years of active service. Failure to completely heal from a military service injury may cause a prolonged lifetime of pain. Simply changing from an active military lifestyle to less physical activity in civilian life can cause pain to develop in the neck area

Since veterans may become lax with the nutritional aspect of their diets because they want to enjoy foods that were not available while in the military. It is known that a poor diet can have many consequences including physical bodily pain. Since it may not manifest to anyone but the sufferer, emotional stress is a commonly overlooked cause of pain within the neck and upper shoulders. Mental stress may reveal itself physically and pain in various body areas is a common symptom. Sufferers might not think of associating the onset of pain with mental stress from years of military service, which may have involved traumatic experiences.

According to "Chiropractic Management for Veterans with Neck Pain," a study published in the October 2011 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, U.S. military veterans who averaged 50 years of age and received manipulative therapy for pain in their necks experienced a significant improvement. Veterans who are suffering from this type of pain should consider discussing their condition and potential causes with a chiropractor.

Since it is unlikely to be able to prevent all occurrences of neck pain during military service, treatment should be considered and available both during active duty and as a veteran. There is no reason to suffer with the physical consequences of a military lifestyle when effective, non-invasive, alternative health care treatment is available. Veterans receiving chiropractic care can experience quick relief and learn proper exercises and lifestyle habits.




About the Author:



0 comments :