The Benefits of Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Richmond Neck Pain
Neck pain bother millions of people, restraining mobility and lowering quality of life. While traditional treatments often depend on medications, non-pharmacological options, such as Richmond chiropractic care and spinal manipulation at Johnson Chiropractic, are gaining recognition for their usefulness in providing relief, reducing costs, and minimizing the need for downstream medical interventions.
Cost-Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Care
New studies feature the financial advantages of starting neck pain care with non-pharmacological approaches like spinal manipulation. A study written by Anderson et al. (2025) found that Medicare beneficiaries who started treatment with spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) had significantly less healthcare costs compared to those beginning with primary care, particularly when prescription analgesics were included. SMT users experienced a 6% decrease in total Medicare Part A costs and a substantial 36% reduction in neck pain-specific costs under Part B. (1)
Lower costs can be credited to less reliance on pain medications and fewer referrals to advanced interventions like imaging or surgery. This makes non-pharmacological approaches a cost-effective first-line option, particularly for older folks managing chronic or acute neck pain. Johnson Chiropractic knows our neck pain patients prefer not having to undergo any extra care they don’t really need.
Reduced Downstream Medical Interventions
Non-pharmacological treatments have demonstrated the possibility to avert the escalation of care to more intensive or invasive procedures. A 2024 study by Anderson et al. revealed that individuals who started treatment with SMT had a 64% lower likelihood of needing escalated downstream care, such as imaging, injections, or surgical interventions, compared to those relying on primary care without analgesics. (2) By taking care of the source of neck pain early utilizing methods like chiropractic adjustments, these interventions offer patients sustainable results while lowering the strain on healthcare systems. Johnson Chiropractic is pleased to be a part of that!
Neck Pain Relief and Improved Quality of Life
Global clinical practice guidelines, as reviewed by Peters et al. (2025), always recommend spinal manipulation or mobilization for neck pain relief. These approaches not only alleviate pain effectively but also boost mobility and support long-term recovery when combined with exercises. (3) Johnson Chiropractic does this routinely with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management that incorporates spinal manipulation and exercise!
For our Richmond neck pain sufferers, non-pharmacological treatments offer a way to relief without dependency on medications, all while fostering better health outcomes. By lowering costs, minimizing subsequent medical needs, and delivering measurable relief, chiropractic care and spinal manipulation stand out as essential tools in modern neck pain management strategies.
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Kirk on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for the relief of neck pain.
Schedule your Richmond chiropractic appointment today to see us!
