Chronic back and neck pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint among Canadian veterans — and for good reason. The physical demands of military service place extraordinary stress on the spine, often resulting in pain and dysfunction that persists long after service ends. At VAC Chiropractor Fredericton, Dr. Scott Brayall specializes in the assessment and chiropractic treatment of service-related spinal conditions.
Understanding Back and Neck Pain
Back and neck pain can arise from a wide range of underlying conditions, including:
- Disc herniation or bulge — causing local or radiating pain
- Facet joint syndrome — producing stiffness and deep aching pain
- Degenerative disc disease — accelerated wear on spinal discs
- Muscular strain and myofascial pain — chronic tension and trigger points
- Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses nerve tissue
Whether your pain is acute (following a specific injury) or chronic (developed gradually over time), it requires thorough assessment to identify the root cause and guide effective treatment.
How Military Service Causes Spinal Problems
Military service creates a combination of physical demands that are uniquely damaging to the spine over time:
- Load bearing: Carrying heavy packs, body armor, weapons, and equipment over extended distances places repetitive compressive and shear forces on both the cervical and lumbar spine.
- Vehicle operations: Hours in LAVs, trucks, aircraft, and ships expose the spine to whole-body vibration and prolonged static postures — well-established risk factors for disc degeneration and facet joint dysfunction.
- Physical training: High volumes of running, loaded marches, obstacle courses, and combatives training accumulate microtrauma in spinal structures across a career.
- Direct trauma: Falls, blast exposure, motor vehicle accidents, and combat injuries can cause immediate structural damage that evolves into chronic spinal pain.
- Prolonged postures: Extended periods in seated or awkward positions during deployments compromise spinal health and contribute to muscle imbalance.
VAC recognizes chronic back and neck pain as commonly service-related conditions. Establishing a clear and well-documented link between your service history and current condition is essential — and is something Dr. Brayall can assist with through comprehensive clinical documentation.
Chiropractic Care for Back and Neck Pain
Dr. Brayall provides individualized assessment and treatment for veterans with spinal pain. His approach includes:
- Activator Method: A low-force, instrument-based technique that precisely targets dysfunctional spinal joints. Effective for both acute and chronic presentations and particularly well-suited to veterans with hypersensitivity or complex pain histories.
- Arthrostim: A gentle, high-frequency adjusting instrument that mobilizes restricted cervical and lumbar joints without requiring high-velocity manipulation.
- Manual therapy: For appropriate patients, hands-on manipulation and mobilization of the cervical and lumbar spine to restore range of motion and reduce pain.
- Postural assessment and rehabilitation: Addressing the biomechanical contributors to chronic pain — including muscle imbalances, movement patterns, and ergonomics.
The goal is not simply symptom management but restoring function, reducing disability, and improving quality of life — outcomes that matter both to the veteran and to VAC’s assessment process.
VAC Disability Reports
In addition to treatment, Dr. Brayall provides detailed medical-legal reports for VAC disability claims related to back and neck conditions. These reports are structured to address causation, chronicity, functional impairment, and treatment rationale in a format aligned with VAC adjudication requirements.
Book an Appointment
If you are a veteran dealing with chronic back or neck pain, don’t manage it alone. Call (506) 472-7000 or book online to schedule your assessment with Dr. Brayall.