Neck Pain - Chiropractic Problems - Back Pain, Chiropractor, Massage Therapy, and Sports Injury Clinic - Back To Basics Chiropractic

Neck pain and its related problems can become incapacitating for sufferers. Millions of people will experience neck pain at some point in their life.

The head is heavy and balanced on a narrow support made up of seven bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are separated from each other by discs, stabilised by joints and ligaments and moved by muscles. Because the neck is so mobile, it is easily damaged.

Injury and postural problems are the most common causes of neck pain. Diseases such as arthritis or degeneration of the discs can also cause pain.

Some other causes of neck pain include:

trauma or injury
worry and stress
falling asleep in an awkward position
prolonged use of a computer keyboard

The vast majority of episodes of neck pain will get better with time and can be addressed with non-surgical treatments. However, there are a few symptoms of neck pain that are possible indications of a serious medical condition and patients with these symptoms should contact Back to Basics Chiropractic.

Progressive neurological deficit (weakness in the arms or loss of feeling and coordination in the arms or legs) could indicate nerve damage. Also, sustained or increasing pain accompanied by lack of appetite, unplanned weight loss, nausea and vomiting, or fever/chills/shakes could indicate a spinal tumour or infection.

Most episodes of acute neck pain are due to a muscle strain or other soft tissue sprain (ligaments, tendons). This type of injury can be caused by a sudden force (such as from a car accident), or from straining the neck (such as a stiff neck from sleeping in the wrong position, or a strain from carrying a heavy suitcase).

Most minor injuries to the ligaments, tendons and muscles in the neck usually heal with time (a couple of days or weeks) because these soft tissues have a good blood supply to bring the necessary nutrients and proteins for healing to take place. Conservative care, such as ice and/or heat, medications, physical therapy, and/or chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate the painful condition while it is healing.

Chiropractic offers a unique approach to a wide range of cervical problems. Chiropractors do not 'twist' the neck or perform painful manoeuvres. Chiropractic adjustments are a precise and gentle therapy with the aim of returning motion to restricted spinal joints and to improving the overall mechanics of the spine.

Many people suffering from neck pain have muscle tightness. This tightness may be due to injury or poor posture. Stretching exercises can be very useful in reducing the pain and discomfort, and may eliminate the pain altogether.

trauma or injury
worry and stress
falling asleep in an awkward position
prolonged use of a computer keyboard

<< Back to Chiropractic Conditions