Our necks play a crucial role in our lives. They support the weight of our heads, which is why any discomfort or pain in the neck can have a huge impact on our comfort and movement. Neck pain is a fairly common condition with over 60% of adults experiencing it at one point or another. Chiropractors provide a natural approach to relieving neck pain caused by injury, inflammation, or arthritis.
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Causes of Neck Pain
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Neck pain can have many different causes. Some common causes of neck pain include:
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-Muscle strain: Overuse or injury to the muscles and ligaments in the neck can cause muscle strain. This is often the result of poor posture, repetitive motions, or sleeping in an awkward position.
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-Degenerative conditions: degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease can lead to neck pain. As these conditions progress, they can cause the joints and discs in the neck to deteriorate, leading to pain and stiffness.
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-Nerve compression: Compression of the nerves in the neck can also lead to pain. This may be caused by herniated discs, bone spurs, or other deformities putting pressure on the nerves.
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-Facet joint dysfunction: The facet joints are the joints between each vertebrae in the spine. If these joints become inflamed or irritated, it can lead to facet joint dysfunction and neck pain.
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Our chiropractor can help alleviate neck pain by addressing these underlying causes. We use adjustments, and recommend exercises and stretches to strengthen the muscles and ligaments in the neck and improve your neck range of motion.
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What are Adjustments?
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A number of things can cause neck pain. Often it is the result of an injury, poor posture, or a stressful lifestyle. Chiropractic adjustments can help to relieve neck pain and restore normal alignment.
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There are many different types of chiropractic adjustments, but they all work to improve joint function and reduce inflammation. The important thing is that your chiropractor picks the best technique for you in order to help alleviate your neck pain.
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Chiropractic adjustments are safe and effective for treating neck pain, and can often provide relief from other conditions such as headaches, TMJ disorder, and whiplash.
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What to Expect from a Neck Pain Chiropractor?
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If you are experiencing neck pain, you may be wondering if a trip to our neck pain chiropractor is right for you. Chiropractic care is a type of alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and care of musculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to adjust the spine and other joints in the body.
The goal of chiropractic care is to reduce pain, improve function, and help the body heal itself. A typical chiropractic care plan may include several visits over a period of days, weeks, or months. The frequency and duration of your care will depend on the severity of your condition and your response to care.
During your first visit, the chiropractor will take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. They will also ask about your symptoms and how they have affected your ability to function at home, at work, or during leisure activities. X-rays may be taken to rule out other causes of your neck pain.
After reviewing your history and exam findings, our chiropractor will develop a care plan specifically for you.
How long until I feel better after adjustments?
Many people feel an immediate sense of relief after their first chiropractic adjustment. However, the full benefits of chiropractic care can take a few days or weeks to be realized.
During this time, your body is making small changes and starting to heal more completely. To get the most out of your chiropractic care, it is important to keep up with your scheduled visits and follow any other recommendations made by your chiropractor.
Is it possible to alleviate neck pain with chiropractic Care?
It is possible to alleviate neck pain with chiropractic care. There are many neck pain chiropractors who specialize in treating neck pain and can help to relieve the pain and discomfort that comes with it. Many people find that their neck pain is relieved after just a few sessions of chiropractic care.
Conclusion
If you're struggling with neck pain, know that you're not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from some form of neck pain every year, and it can be debilitating. But there is hope for relief!
Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to be an effective care for neck pain, and they can help you get back to living your life. If you're looking for neck pain relief, consider making an appointment with our neck pain chiropractor today.
Neck Sprains & Strains
Your cervical spine, or neck, is built from seven bones stacked on top of each other along with a shock-absorbing disc between each level.
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Your neck is actually quite flexible and it relies on muscles and ligaments for support. "Sprains" and "strains" in your neck are the result of these tissues being stretched in a way that is too hard or too far, much like a rope that frays when it is stretched beyond its normal capacity.
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The medical term, "sprain" refers to a situation where the tough, durable ligaments that hold your bones together have been damaged, while "strain" means that your muscles or tendons that move your neck have been partially torn.
What Are The Symptoms Of Neck Pain?
Symptoms from a sprain/strain can begin very suddenly but in most cases, they actually will develop gradually.
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Complaints about neck sprains and strains often include dull neck pain that becomes sharper when you move your head. Rest may also relieve your symptoms but can also often leads to stiffness. The pain is primarily found in the back of your neck but is also known to spread to your shoulders or between your shoulder blades.
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Tension headaches are also known to commonly accompany neck injuries. If you start to experience more severe symptoms contact your doctor immediately, some of these conditions to be aware of include severe or "different" headaches, loss of consciousness, confusion or "fogginess", difficulty concentrating, dizziness, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, change in vision, nausea or vomiting, numbness or tingling in your arms or face, weakness or clumsiness in your arms and hands, decreased bowel or bladder control, or fever.
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Recovering From Neck Pain
The problem with sprain/strain injuries is that they cause your normal healthy elastic tissue to be replaced with less elastic "scar tissue".
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This process can lead to ongoing pain and even arthritis in some cases. Seeking early and appropriate treatment for your injuries, like the type we provide, is critical. Depending upon the severity of your injury, you may need to limit your activity for a while, especially if you are frequently experiencing pain during certain movements or activities.
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If possible you should do your best to avoid heavy lifting and take frequent breaks from prolonged activity, particularly overhead activity. Following acute injuries, you can try to add ice for 10-15 minutes each hour. Heat may be helpful in some situations of chronic pain. Be sure to ask your doctor for specific ice/heat recommendations. Some patients report partial relief from sports creams.