Neck Pain

man working in city with neck pain Unsurprisingly, neck pain is one of the most common complaints we see at Advantage Chiropractic Centers. Given the time many people spend looking down at their digital devices, or slouching at work for eight or more hours, it’s no surprise that many experience this type of discomfort.

While it’s unusual for this pain to be a symptom of a more serious issue, if
numbness or loss of strength in your arms or hands, or shooting pain in your shoulder or down your arms accompanies your discomfort, seek medical care right away.

What Are Some Symptoms?

Signs and symptoms of neck discomfort include the following:

Muscle tightness and spasms
A decreased ability to move your head
Headache

Common Causes

As your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, it’s prone to injuries and conditions that result in pain and limited motion. Here are some of the most common causes of neck pain:

Muscle strains.

Things like sitting for an extended period over your computer often trigger muscle strains. Reading in bed can also strain your neck muscles if you don’t have proper support.

Worn joints.

Your neck joints tend to wear down as you age. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage between your vertebrae to weaken. Your body then develops bone spurs that affect joint motion and lead to pain.

Nerve compression.

Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck can put pressure on the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord.

Injuries.

A rear-end auto collision often results in whiplash, which occurs when the head is rapidly and forcefully moved backward and then forward, resulting in the soft tissues of the neck being strained.

How We May Help

We use the following methods to address neck pain:

Adjustments using Activator® (light force) and Diversified
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to help with pain control and reduce muscle spasm
Postural advice, exercises and stretching

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to have my neck adjusted?

No, we can utilize gentle, instrument-assisted adjustments to alleviate your pain.

Do you take any special precautions when adjusting the neck? How do you calm a nervous patient?

First, we perform an examination before treating a patient’s neck to ensure they are a good candidate. We understand some patients are nervous about having their neck treated, and we give patients time to discuss their concerns before any treatment begins. Another way we put patients at ease is by offering gentle, lighter force techniques, such as manual therapy and Activator® techniques.

Are there any other things I can do to address my discomfort?

Yes, we also recommend you adopt and maintain proper posture, refrain from looking down at your smartphone or tablet, sleep in a proper position, and set up your office in an ergonomically friendly manner.

How long until patients typically notice relief?

Some patients feel relief immediately, but most patients improve within the first two weeks.

Book an Appointment

If you have neck discomfort, we are here to help! Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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