Neck pain is a common issue caused by various factors concerned with the neck. This pain can result from problems with the neck muscles, joints, discs, and nerves. It’s essential to address neck pain as soon as possible to prevent further issues or complications. If left untreated, neck pain can lead to long-term discomfort and potentially severe health issues. A chiropractor is often the best option for care, as they can properly diagnose and treat the root cause of the pain.
How We Treat Neck Pain
There are different courses of treatment that can help to treat neck pain. Each case is unique, and a professional chiropractor will assess the pain and determine the best course of action. There are different approaches and treatment types available, including the following.
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
If you’re experiencing neck pain or conditions, a chiropractor will conduct a comprehensive exam of your spine and nerves. This includes a detailed consultation that will evaluate your overall health, including past medical history. They may also inquire about your diet and lifestyle habits, including whether or not you exercise and do other activities. Additionally, they will examine your neck for any signs of muscle spasms or tenderness that may indicate more serious issues.
Digital X-rays
If your chiropractor suspects any underlying issues in the bones or joints of your neck, they may prescribe digital x-rays for further evaluation. This is an imaging tool that uses low-radiation levels to reveal any issues in the bones. X-rays are a common tool that used to detect any spine misalignment, fractures, or other abnormalities.
Specific Chiropractic Care
Another treatment option that is commonly used is specific chiropractic care. This includes a variety of techniques to help clear any misaligned vertebrae, as well as unstiffen the joints in the neck. It is mainly done through spinal manipulations that help align vertebrae in the neck and promote greater joint mobility. Combined, these methods can address the underlying causes and bring you relief.
Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work
A chiropractor may provide a soft tissue adjustment or traction to alleviate muscle spasms or pain. If you have muscle spasms and tension in your neck, the professional will try to relax these muscles, making them less likely to cause further issues. They also may use heated massage oils or other moisturizing substances to help relax the muscles so that they can be more easily treated.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
With the aid of a chiropractor and exercise physiologist, a custom exercise plan may be crafted to help you treat your neck-pain. This will include various exercises that help gently stretch the muscles in your neck and strengthen and improve your overall mobility of the joints. Combined with other treatment options, this can be beneficial in treating your neck pain.
Cervical Spinal Decompression
This is a treatment that uses traction and gentle force to decompress the cervical spinal discs. By loosening the cervical discs, the chiropractor can help improve the spacing between your vertebrae and bring you pain relief. To conduct this treatment, a special table is positioned behind your neck that slowly decreases the weight in increments of 20 pounds while you lie on your stomach. This helps to gradually stretch the back muscles of your neck and create a more relaxed environment for healing.
Deep Tissue Laser
A deep tissue laser is another contracting treatment that can help promote healing for neck pain. This treatment is typically used for chronic or acute neck-pain that does not respond to traditional treatments. It is done using a device that uses low-energy light beams that help to break up scar tissue, keep nerves functioning properly, and reduce pain related to vertebral subluxation.
Acupuncture
A recent and increasingly popular treatment for neck pain that has a strong track record of success is acupuncture. Acupuncture involves the placement of fine needles into the areas of your body to unblock energy and relieve tension. They work by stimulating the release of dopamine and serotonin, which helps to alleviate inflammation, reduce pain and stress, and promote a sense of well-being in your body. It is mainly used to relieve pain caused by tension in the neck and reduce any long-term discomfort you may be experiencing.
Nutritional Supplementation
A chiropractor may recommend nutritional supplementation to help you relieve your neck-pain. Certain nutritional substances enhance spinal health and support healing, including Omega 3 oils, green tea extracts, and glucosamine. A natural wellness chiropractor can also help you identify deficiencies in your diet and determine if vitamin or mineral supplements are necessary.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
Here are a variety of different reasons why people experience neck pain.
Bulged Cervical Discs
A cervical disc is a small round cushion between the neck vertebrae. Some individuals suffer from bulged or herniated cervical discs, which are common spinal conditions that require chiropractic care. These conditions occur when the tough outer covering of the discs breaks down, allowing the soft gel-like center to bulge out and pinch a nerve or sensitive area in your spine. Bulging discs can be caused by injuries, repetitive physical strain over time, excess weight and poor posture, or other activities.
Herniated Cervical Discs
Herniated cervical discs occur similarly to bulged discs, except for one key difference. In herniated cervical discs, the disc’s outer layer does not break down but instead tears completely. This allows the disc’s soft center to push through and press against a nearby nerve or sensitive area. Herniated discs can cause extreme pain radiating from your neck and your shoulders and arms. If left untreated, they may also cause broad-based weakness in your fingers, hands, and feet.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a common spinal condition when the discs between your vertebrae deteriorate over time. It is more common as you age, and many people develop it during their late 50s or early 60s. As the discs begin deteriorating, they become smaller and thinner. This allows them to bulge outward, pinch nearby nerves and cause pain to radiate down your arms. In severe cases of degenerative disc disease, the joint spaces can also narrow and press on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes your spinal column to narrow and press on the nerves and vertebrae of your spine. It is usually caused by natural aging, but injuries and other trauma can also exacerbate it. As the spinal canal gets smaller, your spinal nerves get pinched more easily, causing neck-pain that typically radiates into your arms. The pain can be sharp, burning, or even tingling. In some cases, you may also have numbness or weakness in your fingers or hands.
Muscle Strain
Usually related to neck pain, muscle strain occurs when the neck muscles or ligaments become overstretched or injured. This can occur from repetitive physical activities such as driving, exercising, and typing on the computer. It can also develop after a single traumatic incident, such as a fall or car accident, in which the neck muscles are strained in some manner. Muscle strain can lead to pinched nerves and cause radiating pain that travels down your arms into your fingers.
Tech Neck
Tech neck, or computer neck, is a relatively new condition caused by spending too much time hunched over your computer. It is usually characterized by muscle soreness and tightness in the back of your neck and upper shoulders. These symptoms can also be accompanied by headache pain that radiates down both arms, your hands, or even to the back of your head.
Facet Joint Dysfunction
A facet is a small bony knob on the corner of your jaw joint. They can be particularly susceptible to damage because they are often used in various facial expressions and movements. Any damage to the facet joints can cause pain that moves down your arms, your hands and fingers, your head, and your back. Facet joint dysfunction is common in people with dentures or fixed prostheses.
Subluxation
This condition occurs when one vertebra in your neck becomes misaligned. This causes the nerves and muscles to be pinched and damaged, which can lead to a variety of different symptoms, including the following.
- Severe pain in the front and back of your neck
- Tingling or numbness to your fingers, hands, or arms
- Weakness in your fingers, hands, and arms
- Frequent headaches or migraines
Osteoarthritis
This condition occurs most often in older adults and is usually characterized by joint degeneration and a breakdown of the cartilage lining. Osteoarthritis has been known to cause neck-pain, shoulder pain, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and other spinal conditions requiring chiropractic treatment.
Whiplash
This is one of the most common causes of neck pain in individuals who have been in car accidents, especially when the accident involves a sudden stop or collision. Whiplash can also occur in minor accidents, such as when there is a sudden change in the direction of your head and neck. It typically occurs when the neck muscles and joints become stretched and injured to some degree. It can also cause severe symptoms like muscle spasms, tension headaches, and pain which moves down into your arms.
Frequently Asked Questions
With all this talk about neck pain, its treatments, and its symptoms, there is bound to be some level of confusion. Here are some of the most asked questions about neck pain.
When Should You See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain?
Your neck responds to everyday activities, some big and others small. Trying to adjust it yourself may not resolve the problem and can even cause more discomfort. A trained chiropractor can evaluate your neck and give you all the information you need to understand what is causing the pain, how it started, why it continues, and how to treat it. Sometimes with neck-pain, the source of the problem has become so damaging or painful that a person needs medical attention or surgery. Still, a skilled chiropractor can naturally treat and resolve your issue.
Do Medical Doctors Recommend Chiropractors for Neck Pain?
A medical doctor can diagnose and treat neck pain, but if your condition is severe or causes severe symptoms, they may recommend you see a chiropractor. A chiropractor is a specialist and can better treat neck pain because they mostly use natural techniques and therapies. Medical doctors use medications, surgery, or other techniques to relieve neck-pain, whereas a skilled chiropractor uses non-invasive methods that work with the body’s natural healing responses.
Are Chiropractors Covered by Insurance for Neck Pain?
Yes, chiropractic care is often covered by insurance for neck pain. Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover chiropractic care for neck pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. However, it’s essential to check with your insurance provider to see what your plan covers and confirm that the chiropractor you visit is in-network.
It’s also worth noting that the specific coverage and terms of your insurance plan may vary depending on your location, the type of plan you have, and the chiropractor you visit. Some insurance plans may require a referral from a primary care doctor before covering chiropractic care, while others may not.
How Can You Tell if Your Neck Is Out of Alignment?
There are several signs that your neck may be out of alignment.
- Pain or discomfort in the neck: If you have neck-pain or discomfort that doesn’t seem to be related to a specific injury or strain, it could be a sign that your neck is misaligned.
- Headaches: Neck misalignment can sometimes cause headaches, especially if you have a headache that feels like it’s coming from the base of your skull.
- Limited range of motion: If you have difficulty turning your head or tilting it to the side, it could indicate that your neck is out of alignment.
- Shoulder pain: Neck misalignment can sometimes cause pain or discomfort in the shoulders.
- Numbness or tingling: If you experience numbness or tingling in your arms or hands, it could be a sign that your neck is misaligned.
It’s important to note that other conditions can also cause these symptoms, so if you are experiencing them, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause.
Is It Okay to Pop My Own Neck?
No. Popping your neck may make you feel better for a time, but it’s not a good idea and can cause more harm than good. The first reason it’s not recommended is that it doesn’t treat the underlying cause of your pain. If there is nerve damage or pinched discs, popping your neck won’t fix the problem. The best way to treat neck pain is to see a chiropractor for an evaluation and treatment plan.
In the current times, with so many people suffering from neck pain, it is crucial to be aware of the various causes and symptoms of the problem. Knowing what steps to take and when to take them can help prevent more complex issues. It will also help to ensure that you get proper treatment as soon as possible. If you’re experiencing neck pain or have ever dealt with it, make sure you see a professional for proper treatment.
