At Thrive, chiropractors diagnose patients to put together the puzzle. Patients and chiropractors work together to find the root cause of neck pain, as well as a path toward pain-free living. Like most puzzles, the road to completion is slow and steady with more information revealed along the way. Thrive Spine and Sports Rehabilitation has a chiropractic care team in Belmar and Freehold to diagnose the root cause of neck pain and bring about relief through all-natural remedies.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Therapy for Neck Pain
Above all, the main benefits of choosing chiropractic care to combat chronic neck pain are achieved when working with a professional like the chiropractors at Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab. These specialists meet with patients to diagnose the root cause of pain and develop a customized plan to heal.
"We get patients back to doing what they love," summarized Dr. TJ Abrams, who has worked at Thrive’s chiropractic clinic in Belmar.
Otherwise, when working with a chiropractor at Thrive, patients will capitalize on benefits like:
- Reduced inflammation
- Restored bodily alignment
- Improved blood flow
- Improved range of motion
- Enhanced patient education
As care progresses, patients will notice an easier time turning their head and tilting side to side. Chiropractic treatment will reduce pain, soreness, and stiffness.
Thrive’s chiropractors also strengthen muscles around the area of pain through in-clinic exercises and patient education for at-home workouts. Healing neck pain will improve structural connections in and around the neck, stimulate the nervous system to increase range of motion, decrease neck pain, and build a stronger neck.
"We'll use the decompression table to allow pressure off joints around the trapezius, levator scapulae, suboccipital, paraspinal, and back musculature to decrease inflammation and provide more mobility," explained Dr. Vinny Zappola.
Book Chiropractic Sessions for Neck Pain with Clinicians at Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab
There are many people who may be candidates for chiropractic care to heal neck pain. Most commonly, these include:
- Stomach and side sleepers
- People who drive for a living
- Office workers sitting behind a desk for long periods
- Individuals with past injuries or surgery on or around the neck
"We also tap into the sports community," acknowledged Dr. Vinny. "A lot of wrestlers have neck or shoulder issues, and football players with stingers will come in."
The first session at Thrive is consultative and helps a patient recognize their lifestyle habits, potential problem areas, and current pains or stresses.
"The sleeping aspect is big because I find people get neck pain sleeping on their stomach. They have to turn their head from right to left… And often, one arm is elevated when sleeping for six to eight hours. This is not beneficial for the body. So, the big questions are how it affects mobility and tightness. Then we learn how to break those habits and decrease pain along the way," said Dr. Vinny.
Individuals can also develop neck pain during a sedentary job or lifestyle.
"We can figure that out. Sometimes it's as simple as getting a standing desk to change positions throughout the day," said Dr. Vinny. "A lot of what I do in that first session is picking apart what patients tell me they do daily so I can do a deep dive on their day-to-day life… [Neck pain] could also come from repetitive microtrauma—if you don't get up for eight hours… Before you know it, your neck is jammed up, you have a headache, and your shoulder blade is tingling…"
Chiropractic Care Services to Employ for Neck Pain
There are many services related to chiropractic care that can help heal neck pain. Dr. Vinny Zappola’s unique approach combines:
- Decompression table (relieves joint pressure)
- Massage gun
- Manual, static, and in-clinic stretching, plus at-home exercises
- Graston tool to break up fascia and scar tissue
- Chiropractic adjustment
"The treatment I administer always has several components that patients love," explained Zappola. "Maybe another chiropractor would simply adjust your neck in a quick session. But what I've built—using the decompression table—works well and patients respond great. People got better very fast."
Zappola spends time talking with patients first and prescribes the least invasive methods before manual adjustments.
"The premise of decompression therapy is to create a vacuum within the spinal column… If a disc is bulging and nerves are inflamed, we get separation so the joint can regain mobility and function. The stuck joints might generate most pain and muscle tightness. Decompression releases that tension, especially in new patients," said Zappola.
Some new patients are wary of chiropractic adjustments. While quick thrusting adjustments are a great tool, they’re not the only one.
"I connect decompression to mobility, and I always tell patients not to self-adjust the neck. The upper and mid-back often affect the neck and shoulder blades. We can foam-roll the upper and mid-back to get extension—mimicking what I do with an adjustment," said Zappola.
Quick Case Study: Freehold Patients Receive Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain
In one unique case, a patient’s lifestyle was the main cause of her chronic neck pain.
"I had a nursing student with a 15-month-old baby. Child care, feeding, nursing, and carrying the baby seemed a recipe for neck pain. She’d been sleeping on her side and stomach for 21 years, so we had to figure out how to break that habit now," said Dr. Vinny Zappola.
Zappola followed his standard diagnostic process and began a treatment plan lasting as long as necessary.
"We did the typical protocol I described. With consistent care, she felt significantly better in two weeks. Pain may creep back—healing isn’t linear—but we design plans to get people better," said Zappola.
Possible Side-Effects of Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain
As with any therapy, chiropractic manipulation of the sensitive neck area can cause:
- Acute pain during a session (should not exceed initial chronic pain)
- Discomfort and soreness afterward
- Dizziness, faintness, or drowsiness
Patients must be honest about their comfort level and symptoms to avoid re-injury. Eat well and hydrate before therapy, move slowly afterward, and stretch to alleviate side-effects.
Expect that chronic neck pain typically requires multiple sessions to heal gradually and naturally.
Living with Chronic Neck Pain
Chronic neck pain can make everyday tasks stressful, but some fear chiropractic care and choose to live with pain.
"When it comes to the neck, patients may be hesitant to adjustments," admitted Zappola. "I always say it's super gentle. The fast movement causes relief, not pain. But I don't force patients—I focus on stretching and soft-tissue work. Decompression can mimic an adjustment by tractioning and elongating the spine."
Most patients can work up to manual adjustments, though some may opt for surgery or medications. Chiropractic care remains an all-natural method with far fewer side-effects than surgery or drugs.
Overview
Neck pain is common. Chiropractors identify its cause, then prevent, mitigate, and cure it so patients find long-term relief. While daily habits can lead to neck pain, injuries and physical activity also contribute. Always consult a family doctor, specialist, and the professionals at Thrive.
FAQs
How do chiropractors adjust the neck to relieve pain?
Chiropractors assess whether pain stems from joints, muscles, nerves, or a combination. Joint issues may require soft-tissue work followed by adjustments; muscle pain calls for pin-and-stretch (PIR) techniques and exercises; nerve pain calls for nerve glides/flossing and cervical decompression.
How long does it take for chiropractors to fix your neck?
Neck pain responds quicker than low back pain. Patients often notice a difference in two to three weeks; full relief typically takes four to six weeks, depending on the root cause. Nerves regenerate at about 1 mm per year, so complete recovery varies.
Who should go to the chiropractor?
Anyone with persistent pain—occurring two to three times a day for four to six months or more—should see a chiropractor. If chronic neck pain holds you back from activities you love, you may benefit from chiropractic care.
Who should not go to the chiropractor?
Anyone with new or acute neck pain (lasting one to two weeks) should not immediately see a chiropractor. If you can still engage in activities without pain, chiropractic care may not be necessary. Individuals with broken bones or non-musculoskeletal injuries should avoid it.
