Neck Pain

Along with low back pain, neck pain is a major cause of disability in the United States. While there are many different causes for neck pain, current research shows the majority of cases can be successfully treated or managed with conservative care, like chiropractic, physical rehabilitation, and patient education. Other therapies like laser therapy and electro therapy can also be very helpful.

Muscles strains of the neck and surrounding area are among the highest causes of neck pain and certain types of headaches. These strains can happen for a number of reasons including traumatic injury, but most commonly it is due to postural overstrain, while sitting at the computer all day, for example. With postural overstrain, certain muscles get short and weak, while others are overstretched, tight, and painful. This can easily be reversed with proper education and activity modification.

Disc Herniations of the cervical spine (neck) are fairly common and are often accompanied by pain or odd sensations in the shoulders, arms, and hands. These discs are like a jelly donuts, where the jelly (nucleus pulposus) acts as a natural shock absorber, and the donut ring itself (annulus fibrosis) is very tough and is supposed to hold the jelly inside. Often times these tough fibers are overloaded and allow the jelly to seep out, putting pressure on the highly sensitive pain fibers and nerve roots. Not only does this cause neck pain but it can lead to arm and hand pain as well. The good news is the large majority of disc herniations do not require surgery or medication, and can be managed successfully with conservative chiropractic care, active rehabilitation, and activity modification.

Mechanical neck pain is a syndrome in which symptoms can be brought on by specific movements or sustained postures of the head and neck. This can irritate the muscles, ligaments, and other structures surrounding the neck. Some of the most common movements and sustained postures associated with this direction-specific pain is flexion (like looking down at your smart phone) and head protrusion, which is a slouched posture with the head being too far forward. Through a proper biomechanical evaluation and treatment, along with simple patient-education for safer movement strategies, this type of pain and injury is quickly reversed without the use of drugs or surgery.

Cervical (neck) Arthritis: Arthritis: There are many different types of arthritis but one of the most common type affecting the neck is called osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD) and causes pain and stiffness. This may sound terrible if your doctor has diagnosed you with this, but it is actually a normal process of aging. In fact, many people have this condition and have absolutely no symptoms at all! If it is causing symptoms, however, it can be managed very successfully with activity modification, physical rehabilitation, and chiropractic care.