Can a chiropractor fix a misaligned neck?

Author: Mr. Cleve Fritsch II  |  Last update: Monday, May 19, 2025

Poor posture and sitting for long periods are common causes of spinal misalignments. A chiropractor can help correct these misalignments and improve posture to help relieve headache symptoms and prevent them from occurring in the future.

How do chiropractors realign your neck?

Neck adjustments are performed by manipulating your cervical vertebrae in order to improve mobility in the joints. This is usually done as you lie comfortably on your back in a relaxed position. The chiropractor touches your neck and rotates your head from side to side in a controlled motion.

Is it safe to have a chiropractic adjustment on your neck?

Chiropractic adjustments are safe when they are done by someone trained and licensed to do chiropractic care. Serious complications linked to chiropractic adjustments are rare.

Can a chiropractor tell if your neck is out of alignment?

Most chiropractors can easily spot a subluxation, as body posture reflects any misalignment.

How long does it take for a chiropractor to fix your neck?

It depends on the type of injury you have when you visit the chiropractor. Bone injuries heal the quickest at 5-6 weeks. Ligament and tendon injuries take a little longer than that, needing 6-8 weeks. Discs and cartilage will take the longest and need at least three months to heal.

Chiropractic Case Review | Fixing a Misalignment in the Neck

How to tell if your neck is misaligned?

One of the most common indicators of a misaligned neck is persistent neck pain and stiffness. Misalignment in the cervical spine can put strain on the surrounding muscles and joints, resulting in a dull ache or, at times, sharper pain.

How often should a chiropractor adjust your neck?

Some patients enjoy regular adjustments every four weeks while others find every two weeks beneficial. At Advanced Medical of Twin Cities, we will work with you to determine just how often you need to get your neck adjusted.

What are red flags chiropractic?

🚩Communication Red Flags

Clear and open communication is key to good chiropractic care. If a chiropractor doesn't listen, explain treatments, or discourage questions, that's a warning sign. 🛑 Doesn't Listen – If a chiropractor rushes through appointments and ignores your concerns, they aren't prioritizing your health.

How do I know if my neck needs to be adjusted?

10 Signs That You Need a Chiropractic Adjustment
  1. Pain Anywhere in Your Body. Poor posture, stress, strain, and injuries can lead to a misalignment of the vertebrae that make up your spine. ...
  2. Range of Motion Problems. ...
  3. A Recent Accident. ...
  4. Sciatica. ...
  5. Headaches. ...
  6. Numbness and Tingling. ...
  7. Gastrointestinal Issues. ...
  8. Insomnia.

What are the disadvantages of chiropractic therapy?

Chiropractors perform adjustments to improve alignment and relieve pain, but these adjustments can also cause muscle strain or nerve damage. If a chiropractor fails to diagnose an underlying condition before making adjustments, it may worsen or delay treatment. Chiropractic care can also be expensive.

What happens when a chiro cracks the neck?

When a chiropractor cracks your neck, the cracking sound is actually gas bubbles being released from the joints. It is not your bones cracking or breaking. The process is called cavitation and it helps to improve joint mobility and relieve tension.

How to self-align your neck?

Exercises to improve neck alignment include chin tucks, head tilts, shoulder rolls, neck retractions, and shoulder blade squeezes. Yoga and Pilates can also be helpful.

Can a chiropractor put the curve back in your neck?

Curve correction, or cervical realignment therapy, is a significant method used in chiropractic care to provide long-term solutions to symptoms associated with neck injuries or other causes of abnormal curvatures.

What are the risks of chiropractic neck adjustments?

If you're in the habit of having your neck adjusted by a chiropractor, Michigan Medicine neurologist Mollie McDermott, M.D., wants to share some important information: High-velocity neck manipulation can result in a vertebral artery dissection, which can lead to stroke.

What toxins are released after chiropractic adjustment?

No, Chiropractic Adjustments Do Not Cause “Toxic Release” “Toxins” is a vague word that doesn't really mean anything. Chiropractic adjustments greatly improve your body's natural healing abilities, but there is not a specific toxin release that will make you feel sicker or healthier after an adjustment.

Can neck misalignment be cured?

In cases where neck misalignment is due to severe degenerative changes or trauma, surgical options may be considered. Procedures vary but may involve realigning or stabilizing the cervical vertebrae. Surgery is typically a last resort when other treatments have not provided sufficient relief.

Is it OK to adjust your own neck?

No. Some people may be able to make their joints "pop", but that's not a chiropractic spinal adjustment. The purpose of a chiropractic spinal adjustment is to improve spinal joint motion in spinal joints that have abnormal reduced motion and to improve nervous system function.

What are the symptoms of a misaligned neck?

Symptoms of neck misalignment
  • Neck pain — This is the most common symptom of neck misalignment. ...
  • Headaches — Like pain, headaches caused by neck misalignment can vary in intensity. ...
  • Numbness — Compression and irritation of nerves can also lead to sensations of tingling and numbness.

What not to do with a stiff neck?

Don't
  1. do not keep your neck in the same position for a long time – for example, when sitting at a desk.
  2. do not sleep on your front.
  3. do not twist your neck when you're in bed.

What not to say to a chiropractor?

8 Things you should never say to your chiropractor
  • “I know this is stupid, but…” ...
  • “I can't make an appointment. ...
  • “My pain level is 11/10.” ...
  • “Sorry, I didn't get time to shave this morning.” ...
  • “I exercise every day.” ...
  • “I know I'm wasting your time, but…” ...
  • “I feel fine now, I won't need any more treatment.”

How long after neck manipulation can a stroke occur?

In a review by Haldeman et al of 64 patients with cerebrovascular events after spinal manipulation, the timing of presentation ranged from 2 days to 1 month, but 63% of patients developed symptoms immediately following the manipulation (2, 4).

Can a chiropractor tell if you are out of alignment?

A chiropractor can assess the level of misalignment, perform adjustments, prescribe targeted exercises, explain various stretches that can help you recover, and suggest multiple changes to diet and other daily-living routines.

When should you not get adjusted by a chiropractor?

Patients with herniated or slipped discs and those with arthritis may need advice from specialist physicians before seeing a chiropractor. If there is a physical abnormality or injury in your body, such as a fracture, chiropractic care may not be for you.

How do chiropractors know where to adjust your neck?

One method often used is palpation, where the chiropractor will use their hands to identify areas of misalignment or strain in the musculoskeletal system. In some cases, imaging such as X-rays may also be used to get a closer look at the spine and joints.

Can I ask my chiropractor not to adjust my neck?

Philip Cordova, a chiropractor in Houston, said that in his office, they don't rotate the neck very far in an effort to minimize the chance of injury. Some patients also tell him, “'I don't want my neck adjusted,' and that's not a problem,” Dr. Cordova said.

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