When should you seek Chiropractic care? If severe neck pain occurs following an injury (motor vehicle accident, diving accident, fall), a trained professional, such as a paramedic, should immobilize the patient to avoid the risk of further injury and possible paralysis. Care should be sought immediately. Immediate care should also be sought when an injury causes pain in the neck that radiates down the arms and legs. Radiating pain or numbness in your arms or legs causing weakness in the arms or legs without significant neck pain should also be evalutated.   If there has not been an injury, you should seek chiropractic care when neck pain is: What should you do when you have a neck injury or pain?  At Steen Chiropractic we specializes in the care for neck and back pain. We are specifically trained in the musculoskeletal system, including the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of problems involving the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Diagnosing neck pain: Determining the source of the pain is essential to recommend the right method of treatment and rehabilitation. Therefore a comprehensive examination is required to determine the cause of neck pain. We will take a complete history of the difficulties you are having with your neck and ask you about other illnesses, any injury that occurred to your neck and any complaints you have associated with neck pain. Previous treatment for your neck condition will also be noted.   Next, we will perform a physical examination. This examination may include evaluation of neck motion, neck tenderness, and the function of the nerves and muscles in your arms and legs.   X-ray studies often will be done to allow us to look closely at the bones in your neck. These simple diagnostic techniques often help to determine the cause of neck pain and to prescribe effective treatment.   Patients who require further evaluation may undergo one or more of the following examinations:   MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This non X-ray study allows an evaluation of the spinal cord, nerve roots and disc as well as other soft tissue.   CT (computed tomography). This specialized X-ray study allows careful evaluation of the bone and spinal canal.    EMG (electromyogram). This test evaluates nerve and muscle function. Treatment How neck pain is treated depends on what the diagnosis reveals. However, most patients are treated successfully with chiropractic, physical therapy, exercise, activity modifications or a combination of these methods. For example, if pain is caused by inflammation as a result of stretching muscles and ligaments beyond their limits, you may be prescribed rest and a neck collar for a specified period of time. When neck pain persists or is chronic, you may be recommend a rehabilitation program that includes an exercise program and various types of  chiropractic manipulation and/or physiotherapy to help you relieve your pain restore function and prevent it from coming back. Very few patients require surgery to relieve neck pain. For the vast majority of patients, a combination of chiropractic and physical therapy will relieve neck pain. At Steen Chiropractic we have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.   If you are injured it is always best to have an examination as soon as possible to detect any indication of significant or hidden injury. It is not uncommon for the effects of an injury to show up days, weeks, months or even years after an injury. To schedule and appointment call: (559) 226-4411  Fresno                   (314) 428-3343  St. Louis

Steen Chiropracitic     3712 N. First "A"        Fresno, CA. 93726          (559) 226-4411  "BACK TO HEALTH"      www.SteenChiro.com