Your health pivots on the strength of your neck. At least that is certainly how it feels when it is in pain. Neck pain can range from inconvenient to debilitating, the result of a bad night to poignant and prolonged pain. We even have an idiom in English that highlights just how bothersome “a pain in the neck” can be.
Your neck forms the cervical spine, the first seven vertebrae in the backbone. It supports your head (which averages about 11 pounds) and allows it to move in nearly any direction. While helpful, the flexible nature of the neck also makes it vulnerable to injury.
Causes
Injury. Whiplash or other forms of trauma can damage the muscles and tendons in the neck.
Tension or strain. Tightening the neck muscles when stressed can lead to stiffness or even pain. Grinding your teeth can do the same. Poor sleep or awkward sleeping positions can cause soft tissue to be strained.
Aging. Joints wear down with age, and increased contact between cervical vertebrae can produce neck pain.
Disc degeneration. Herniated or bulging discs can press on the nerves in the neck, causing pain. The set of symptoms caused by nerve compression is known as radiculopathy.
Health conditions. Chronic conditions like osteoarthritis (the deterioration of cartilage protecting the bones) and fibromyalgia (widespread pain and pain sensitivity) can lead to neck pain.
Poor posture. Squinting at a computer screen or curling up to watch Netflix for extended periods can weaken the muscles in the neck.
Diagnosis
When diagnosing neck pain, your chiropractor is likely to ask when the pain started and if anything exacerbates or minimizes it. Your medical history will be taken into consideration in conjunction with a physical examination to determine your neck’s range of motion. In some cases, your provider may recommend diagnostic imaging. X-rays and MRIs can rule out more insidious culprits for neck pain, like fractured bones or cysts.
Symptoms
Soreness and muscle tightness are typical symptoms of neck injury, as are limited movement and flexibility. Some people experience muscle spasms or headaches and migraines. Neck pain can be dull or sharp, and if the pain is radial, the root cause may dwell in the neck, but the pain itself can travel down the shoulder and arm or further down the back.
Prevention
Some cases of neck pain are entirely preventable. Be wise while adopting these practices.
Good posture. Incidents of neck pain only increase as we spend our days sitting at desks and hunching over phones.
Good sleep. Treating your body to the proper amount of sleep in a restful position will help your body to function properly.
Lift heavy things correctly. When carrying heavy objects is necessary, always lift with the legs and never with the back and neck.
Keep your neck loose. Do not store tension in your neck, and find time for simple exercises for improving strength and range of motion.
Treatment
Some neck pain will go away with time and gentle stretching. For other problems, the roots are deeper and not so easily alleviated. There is no need to grin and bear it or resign yourself to neck pain. If surgery is not necessary, chiropractic treatment is likely to be a good fit. These are some chiropractic methods for treating neck pain, though this is certainly not a comprehensive list:
Trigger-point therapy
Cervical mobilization
Traction
Cervical “drop” techniques
Soft tissue therapies like heating and icing
Exercises and stretching
Chiropractic treatment here at Rock Creek Spine and Rehabilitation is non-invasive and operates under a holistic approach, recognizing that if the body’s alignment is optimized, the body is better able to heal itself. Contact us in Broomfield, CO to find relief for your neck pain today.