Neck Pain
Neck pain is most commonly a result of poor posture, repetitive overuse, or outright trauma.
Our necks are responsible for holding our heads on straight and keeping us safe while we’re driving, walking, and even making sure we can sleep well.
Through proper education, stretching, gentle exercise, and chiropractic therapy we can reduce your neck pain, improve your posture, and help boost your quality of life.
Common Causes Of Neck Pain
Cervical Muscle Strain or Ligamentous Sprain
These are some of the most common injuries to the cervical spine and occur when muscles or ligaments get overworked or overstretched leading to dysfunctional movements and causing instability in the spine. Most commonly these injuries, if not treated well, can lead to re-injury of the same or similar areas. Some common causes of strains and sprains include:
- Automobile accidents
- Sports injuries
- Poor posture
- Repetitive overuse injury
Cervical Disc Issues
When the jelly of the lumbar disc pushes out it can cause irritation on the nerve roots and can lead to arm pain, numbness, odd sensations or weakness. Some common causes of cervical disc issues include:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Direct trauma
- Postural issues (internal or external)
- Sudden unguarded movement
TMJ Dysfunction
The TMJ connects your jaw to the rest of your head and is a very common place for joint subluxation (a slight dislocation). If you notice yourself clenching your jaw, popping when you yawn, or inability to open your mouth wider than the height of 3 fingers you may have TMJ disorder. Some common causes of TMJ Dysfunction are:
- Direct trauma
- Overuse injury, commonly from chewing on one side of your mouth
- Poor bite alignment
- Excessive gum chewing
- Teeth Grinding
Upper Crossed Syndrome
Upper Crossed Syndrome is a form of muscle imbalance that occurs when the neck flexors and middle back become weak, while the pectoral muscles and the muscles at the base of the skull become tight. The main physical causes of the condition are:
- Poor posture
- Driving long hours
- Too much sitting
- Desk job
- Poor ergonomics
What does treatment for your neck pain look like??
Depending on how you present clinically, your age, your overall health, and how you tolerate therapies will guide and direct your treatment. In general, you can expect spinal manipulation, massage therapy, and neck strengthening exercises to your personal comfort and ability. If for some reason you fail to respond to our care or if you have severe neurological loss we will refer you to a trusted provider for a surgical consult.
Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.