Fighter pilots often suffer from neck pain as a result of the high g forces they experience during combat.
An 18-question survey was used to determine type and effectiveness of various strategies used by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fast jet (FJ) aircrew in self-referral and management of flight-related neck pain.
The questionnaire was given to 86 eligible RAAF aircrew to determine aircrew demographics, their incidence of flight-related neck pain, and their self-referral strategies to manage these neck injuries. The results are quite dramatic: Ninety-five percent of the respondents experienced flight-related neck pain.
The most commonly sought treatment modalities were on-base medical and physiotherapy services. Many respondents reported using on-base treatment and ancillary services such as chiropractic care.
The pilots reported that chiropractic care was the most effective treatment for alleviating their neck pain.
Studies like this explain why Retired Brigadier General Rebecca Halstead are active supporters of Chiropractic.
Military Medicine 2011 (Jan); 176 (1): 106–109
