What is neck pain?

Neck pain refers to any pain within your cervical spine and the surrounding tissues. You can experience neck pain in the top part of your neck (just under your skull), mid-neck area, or bottom of the neck (where it meets the shoulders).

Neck pain is sometimes an umbrella phrase that includes stiffness and a restricted range of motion. Unfortunately, neck pain often worsens steadily without treatment.

What causes neck pain? 

Neck pain can occur when any of the bones, muscles, ligaments, discs, or other tissues in your neck are inflamed, injured, or under unusual pressure.

One of the most common causes of neck pain is whiplash, a condition that often occurs in auto accidents. In whiplash, the neck quickly whips back and forth, which can cause damage to the neck tissues, leading to neck pain. Other conditions that may lead to neck pain include:

• Arthritis
• Disc degeneration
• Bulging discs
• Arthritis
• Pinched nerves
• Infections
• Fractures
• Poor posture

Sometimes, a few factors contribute to neck pain. For example, years of poor posture can combine with arthritis or other issues to cause chronic neck pain.

How is the cause of neck pain diagnosed?

The MyChiropractor team performs physical exams and reviews your symptoms first. Even if the cause of your neck pain is already known, for example, an auto accident, you still need diagnostic imaging to get a detailed picture of the bones and tissues inside your neck.

Most patients need X-rays, and you may also need a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). You could also need electromyography, a test to check your neck-area nerves.

How is neck pain treated?

At MyChiropractor, the team provides effective, non-drug solutions for neck pain. Treatment usually involves a combination of chiropractic care, which corrects spinal alignment, and physical therapy, which relieves pain and helps you reclaim normal neck movement and stability.

The team also offers innovative methods of helping you prevent neck pain going forward. For example, the Chiroflow® pillow is perfect for people with chronic neck pain because it has springy fibers suspended on a thin layer of water. This provides adjustable support, reduces neck pain, and greatly improves your sleep quality.

If you have neck pain, don’t struggle through the day. Get a natural, long-lasting solution at MyChiropractor. Call the office or book an appointment online today.