Are you suffering from neck pain that is so bad that it literally has you on your back? Is your everyday movement affected by chronic neck pain? If so, chiropractic care may be the answer to your problem.
What is Neck Pain?
The neck consists of seven vertebrae that are supported by a variety of ligaments and muscles. When they become inflamed or otherwise irritated, you may experience mild to severe neck pain.
Often this pain can be excruciating to the point where it renders the victim completely debilitated. Sometimes, this can be an indicator of other serious medical conditions when it occurs with other symptoms. Neck pain is a common symptom of a heart attack, especially in women, so it is crucial to know the difference between neck pain and a heart attack. Seek immediate medical care if your neck pain is accompanied by short breath, dizziness or other heart attack symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Neck Pain
- Stiff neck
- Little to no range of motion
- Sharp or stabbing neck pain
- Radiating pain
- General tenderness or soreness
What Causes Neck Pain?
Some common causes of neck pain include:
- Pinched nerves
- Worn-out joints
- Bone spurs
- Injury
- Herniated discs
- Muscle strain
- Osteoarthritis
How is Neck Pain Diagnosed?
To diagnose neck pain, your chiropractor will do a complete evaluation of your spine including the neck, mid and lower back. They may need to perform an ultrasound to help obtain a proper diagnosis.
How Chiropractors Treat Chronic Neck Pain
Chiropractic care is one of the best ways to relieve mild to chronic neck pain. It is a great alternative to medication, is non-invasive and can provide long-term relief in most cases.
Chiropractors treat neck pain with chiropractic adjustments to reduce misalignment in the spine to improve range of motion, reduce inflammation and relieve pain. This will enable you to better deal with your chronic neck pain. As well, they may use other non-invasive treatments such as heat or ice therapy, therapeutic massage, rehabilitation therapy or interferential electrical stimulation. They might also teach you stretches or other therapeutic exercises to help relieve your neck pain at home. In addition, they may give you advice on stress management and nutrition.
The following are some benefits of seeing your chiropractor for neck pain:
- Decreased inflammation
- Pain reduction
- Relieve discomfort
- Improved activity level
- Increased range of motion
- Improved flexibility
- Better overall general health and lifestyle
- Relieve the anxiety and depression that comes with neck pain
