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Neck Pain is one of the most common problems that bring patients into our Cranston office. Trauma to the vertebral joints or tightness in the surrounding muscles of the neck can be caused by a variety of uncomfortable experiences including neck cracking. Often, the pain is associated with posture issues stemming from extended cellphone usage, poor work ergonomics, or lack of exercise. However, we also see many patients who have suffered injuries from sports and car accidents. A series of chiropractic adjustments can greatly improve the range of motion in the cervical spine. It can also decrease inflammation and relieve muscle tension in the neck.
There are many types of neck issues and each can have a specific pain pattern associated with it. Many times one or more factors can be associated with neck pain. Some of these factors include spinal or vertebral dysfunctions, ligamentous and muscular issues and a range of postural factors. Below you will find the five most common neck pain issues that respond nicely with chiropractic care.
Common neck pain conditions that we treat with chiropractic therapies.
- General Neck Pain
- Pin-Point Neck Pain
- Head & Neck Pain
- Neck-Shoulder Pain
- Neck-Shoulder-Arm
General Neck Pain
- Pain usually involves the entire neck
- Pain does not radiate into shoulder or arm
- Often referred to as a stiff achy neck and “text-neck”
- Associated with sports, trauma, computer, looking down for prolonged periods of time, texting and/or poor posture
Pin-Point Neck Pain
- Pain is usually on one side
- Pain is local to one particular spot
- Pain usually sharp and worse with turning to one direction
- Often referred to as a “crick in the neck”
- Associated with turning head abruptly, distorted sleeping positions, air conditioner blowing on neck and/or working out at the gym
Head & Neck Pain
- Pain usually starts in the neck or at the base of the skull and travels up into the head
- Pain is usually one sided and may result in a headache
- Pain can travel as far as the top of the head and around the eye
- Often referred to as a “cervicogenic headache”
- Associated with postural and upper cervical spine issues
Neck-Shoulder Pain
- Neck pain that travels into the shoulder
- Usually one sided
- Pain is usually sharp turning towards the side of involvement and dull turning away
- Pain can also be felt bending the head from side to side
- May be associated with some kind of trauma or from something repetitive like working in the yard planting flowers or painting overhead.
- Usually associated with some muscular involvement
Neck-Shoulder-Arm Pain- Neck pain that radiates into the arm and as far down as the hand
- Pain can radiate into one or both arms but is usually one sided
- There is usually some history of trauma or degenerative condition of the spine
- May be associated with a cervical disc, thoracic outlet syndrome or compression of a cervical nerve
- Sometimes referred to as a “pinched nerve” in the neck
- Usually more involved than other forms of neck pain
- Should have some form of imaging studies done such as x-rays and/or MRI
Postural issues associated with neck pain
Neck Pain Treatment
If you have one of the above forms of neck pain there is most likely a dysfunction of the cervical spine and/or subsequent muscular involvement. The difference is usually the degree of involvement. Simply addressing the muscle will not always correct the underlying problem; however spinal adjustments delivered by a chiropractor will ensure proper alignment and natural reduction of muscular tension.
Chiropractic adjustments take pressure off the spinal nerves and restore proper motion to the spinal joint.
This reduces neck pain and allows for better mobility of the head and neck. By receiving chiropractic care, normal spinal function can be restored and maintained throughout the years.
