What does my neck pain mean?
Neck pain is a fairly common problem: about 66% of the population experiences neck pain at some point in their lives.
The neck is a delicate part of your body that carries a lot of weight. Think of how heavy your head is -it weighs about 10 pounds! Your neck supports all that weight and connects it to your body. This is why it can be prone to strains and damage.
What are the main causes of neck pain?
Most neck pain is associated with poor posture which over time will cause wear and tear on the cervical spine.
Common causes of neck pain vary but can be from straining due to poor posture, osteoarthritis, and even everyday activities, such as long periods of reading and typing at a computer or phone, long hours of driving, or sleeping in the wrong position.
What are the main signs and symptoms of neck pain?
Common neck pain symptoms include tenderness, neck muscle spasm, and neck stiffness. Anything that affects the bones and tissues of the neck, including osteoarthritis, lymph node swelling, muscle pulls, and nerve damage, can contribute to and be a symptom of neck pain.
If you have neck pain you may also experience muscle stiffness and tightness, neck soreness, and a decreased ability to move your head. The pain may vary in severity, from a constant dull ache to sharp and stabbing pains. Neck pain can sometimes include additional symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long
- Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight
- Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort
- Stiffness and muscle tightness in the upper body
- Headaches
- Numbness or tingling into the upper extremities
- Arm weakness
Signs you should see a Chiropractor if you have neck pain
- If you are not experiencing any improvements in the pain or stiffness in your neck after a few days.
- If you feel a sharp or sustained pain in your neck when you move it to look left, right, above or downward.
- If you are using over the counter pain medications on a regular basis, because you cannot get through the day without them. Being in that much pain is not normal.
- If the pain was initially contained in your neck, but now you are feeling some tingling or numbness in your wrists, hands or other parts of the body.
- If your neck pain is the result of an accident and the neck pain began a couple of days after that event.
- If the pain in your neck is at its worst when you wake up, but it gets a bit better through the day.
How do chiropractors treat neck pain?
Chiropractic adjustments for the neck and upper back loosen up the joints of the cervical vertebrae in the neck. This can reduce pain caused by irritated nerves, pinched nerves, muscle spasms, and strains.
At Moss Chiropractic we use instrumentation as well as our hands to adjust the cervical spine (neck) and place the vertebrae back into a more normal alignment, which helps counter the effects of poor posture and injuries that may have developed or happened over the years
When pain from pinched nerves radiates throughout the shoulder and down the arm, we can help relieve these pains by repositioning the bones, relaxing the muscles, and reducing the pressure on nerves.
In conjunction with your chiropractic treatment plan, stretching and home exercises can ensure you find relief from neck pain. A 2016 study showed that chiropractic care in conjunction with a careful treatment plan is an effective treatment strategy for both recent-onset and persistent neck pain. For example soft tissue massage can loosen muscle knots in the neck and shoulders to relieve pain and can be included as part of an overall plan to relieve symptoms.
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The Moss Chiropractic experience and patient stories
At Moss Chiropractic, we help you find long-term neck pain treatment through personalized care. Book your first session with us today to find the neck pain relief you need. Click here to read stories from our patients who have found relief with us.
