One-in-five adults over the age of 70 suffer from neck pain, which can dramatically affect their overall quality of life. So how effective is chiropractic care for a senior’s neck pain?

A 2019 study published in the journal Chiropractic & Manual Therapies surveyed 288 Australian chiropractors and found that individuals over 65 years of age account for nearly a third (28.5%) of total patient volume.

Of these elderly patients, nearly half (46%) sought treatment for neck pain, often with co-existing dizziness and headaches. The researchers found that this group of senior patients also has a fear of falling, which affected their ability to live independently.

The doctors of chiropractic in the survey reported they often approached treatment for seniors with neck pain using a combination of manual therapies (including spinal manipulation, instrument adjusting, mobilization, and active/passive stretches), modalities (ice/heat, ultrasound, electronic stimulation), specific exercises, and self-management recommendations to reduce pain and improve function in the neck and upper back.

Another benefit of a conservative treatment approach like chiropractic care for an older patient is that it does not involve over-the-counter or prescription medications, which can have undesirable side effects or interactions with other drugs the elderly patient may be taking.

In fact, a March 2020 study published in the journal Pain Medicine reported that patients who received chiropractic treatment for a musculoskeletal condition, like neck pain, were significantly less likely to fill a prescription for an opioid to manage their pain in the following year, especially if they consulted with a doctor of chiropractic first. Many of the patients in the study (nearly 99%) reported an improvement in their neck pain and associated symptoms following an average of nine treatments, though patients with both neck pain and migraines required two additional visits, on average.

If you’re an older adult with new-onset or chronic neck pain, consider chiropractic care!