Chiropractic Adjustments for Back & Neck Stiffness in Bradford

A stiff back or neck makes ordinary things harder: turning to reverse the car, getting out of bed, sitting through a meeting. Stiffness often appears after long drives, desk work, a poor night's sleep, heavy lifting or a stressful week. At WellCare Medical in Bradford, chiropractic adjustments for back and neck stiffness are used to get stiff spinal joints moving again, followed by simple exercises that help you stay loose between visits.

The spine is a chain of small joints. When some of them stop moving freely, the muscles around them tighten to protect the area and the joints above and below have to work harder. Common patterns include:

• morning stiffness in the lower back that eases once you get going
• a tight neck and shoulders after hours at a screen
• a mid-back that feels locked when you twist or take a deep breath
• stiffness that returns to the same spot after every long drive

An adjustment is a quick, controlled movement applied by hand to a specific joint. It takes the joint slightly further than it has been moving on its own, which reduces stiffness and lets the surrounding muscles relax. You may hear a click or pop. That sound is gas releasing from the fluid inside the joint and is not bones moving in or out of place.

All adjustments at our clinic are done by hand. If you prefer something gentler, your chiropractor can use slower mobilization instead.

• an assessment of how each region of your spine moves, to find the joints that are stiff
• adjustments or mobilization for the neck, mid-back or lower back as needed
• soft-tissue work on tight muscles
• two or three mobility exercises to do at home
• suggestions for movement breaks that fit your working day

Most people feel looser straight away. Some notice mild soreness for a day afterwards, much like after exercise.

Stiffness with fever, unexplained weight loss, pain that wakes you at night, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, or stiffness that began after a fall or collision should be assessed by a doctor.

Stiffness that keeps returning usually needs more than adjustments alone. Our chiropractor in Bradford can build a fuller treatment plan, and many people add massage for chronic muscle tension or physiotherapy for joint stiffness and muscle tightness. If your stiffness comes with pain, see neck pain treatment or chiropractic treatment for back pain.