What causes neck pain?
The bones, ligaments, and muscles in your neck support your head and allow for easy mobility. Because of this, your neck is vulnerable to injury and conditions that restrict your range of motion and cause pain.
Common causes of neck pain include:
Muscle tension and strains
This can occur due to poor posture, sleeping in an awkward position, constantly looking down at your smartphone, or straining your neck during exercise or other physical activities.
Nerve compression
Herniated discs or bone spurs can press on the nerves branching out from your spinal cord, resulting in numbness and tingling in and around your neck.
Injuries
You can strain the soft tissues of your neck if you experience trauma, such as whiplash in a car accident. This happens when your neck is jolted backward and forward, typically caused by rear-end collisions.
Diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis, spinal stenosis, meningitis, and certain types of cancer can put pressure on your spine and shoulders or cause inflammation in your back and neck.
Though you can’t prevent certain diseases and injuries, you can take precautions to avoid straining your neck, such as practicing good posture, taking breaks when working at the computer or driving, sleeping in a proper position, and avoiding carrying heavy objects.
What symptoms are associated with neck pain?
Though most neck pain consists of aching in your neck and upper back, additional symptoms may signify that you should see a chiropractor. These symptoms include:
- Headache
- Muscle tightness and spasms
- Difficulty moving your head
- Pain that increases when your head’s in one position for a while (e.g., when driving)
Though most neck pain resolves on its own, you should seek immediate care if you suffer an injury or get into an accident that causes neck pain.
If your neck pain is severe, persists for several days, spreads into your arms, or is accompanied by a headache, numbness, tingling, or weakness, contact Dr. Whitehouse to learn about your treatment options.
How is neck pain treated?
As a chiropractic specialist, Dr. Whitehouse provides you with natural and holistic methods to treat your neck pain. He creates a customized treatment plan for you that may include spinal manipulation and manual manipulation techniques to adjust your neck and stretch your joints.
He may also include therapeutic exercises and stretching in your treatment plan to relieve tension and prevent further neck strain and injury.
If you’re struggling with neck pain, call Eric Whitehouse DC today or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.
