Neck pain is a very common problem which can have many possible causes. More than ever, people are complaining of neck pain. Activities of daily living such as sitting at a computer, hunching over a cell phone or tablet, poor posture or muscle strain from simple things like extended periods of time doing puzzles or reading a book can be debilitating.
Did you know that neck pain and back pain are the primary reasons that people seek chiropractic care?
Did you know that the majority of patients experience significant reduction of symptoms after a course of chiropractic treatment?
What causes neck pain?
The neck is a wonderfully mobile segment of the spine. It allows a person to look left and right, bend side to side, move front to back or any combination of movement. This freedom of movement also has a compromise, it can malfunction more easily than a part that has more stability.
The head weighs approximately 10 lbs. This is like adding a bowling ball on top of a flexible stick and attempting to balance it. It is a delicate dance between the strength of the muscles and the stability of the vertebrae.
When the head is hung forward for extended periods of time, it can easily wear down the structure of the spine. This process is similar to chronic, overuse injuries caused by repetitive strain such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Trauma such a whiplash from a slip, a fall or a motor vehicle accident can also cause significant dysfunction in the neck.
Misalignments of the vertebrae of the spine either from trauma or from activities of daily living can also cause the small joints in the neck to become fixed and radiate pain, this is called facet syndrome. When the structure of the disc breakdown, people can experience pain from a disc herniation or pain radiating down the arm often referred to as Thoracic outlet syndrome.
Neck pain can also be associated with headaches or migraines.
What can be done for neck pain?
Neck pain responds very well to chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic treatment aims to restore the proper alignment of the spine and optimize the nervous system. This results in a reduction in symptoms and an increase in function.
When the neck is in proper alignment, the breakdown process is decreased resulting in better quality of life and longevity.