Neck Pain
Neck pain is the second most common reason our patients come to our Racine chiropractic office.
We see people complaining about a variety of neck pain issues including:
- Loss of range of motion
- Stiffness in their neck
- Sleepless nights
- Tension headaches
- Tingling and numbness down the arms
- Tech neck
- Pinched nerve
- Neck spasm
- Whiplash pain
- Shoulder pain
- Muscle strain
- Herniated disc
- Bone spurs
- Spinal stenosis
- Spastic gait
Understanding how your neck functions
Naturally, your neck has a curve that gently bends inward as a counterbalance to the outward curve of your upper back.
When that natural curve and proportion are misaligned or the surrounding tissue is injured, the neck pain can be significant.
The neck vertebrae (or cervical spine) is made up of seven small vertebrae connected by shock-absorbing discs.
Muscles and connective tissue support and hold all of this together. Inside this protective structure is the spinal cord. Together it is the most flexible part of your spine.
Not only does your neck support your head, but it also moves it in almost any direction.
Your neck does a lot of work. It is an amazing work of engineering!
Why do I have neck pain?
Since the neck is so flexible by design, it’s also more vulnerable to damage, stress, and pain.
Neck pain can develop from simply sleeping in the wrong position overnight or from a more extreme situation such as a car accident.
Here is a sampling of the common causes of most neck pain we see at Daniels Chiropractic in Racine:
- Whiplash from an Auto Accident
- Poor Sleep Posture
- Tech Neck
- Prolonged Desk and Computer Work
- Pinched Nerve
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Upper Crossed Syndrome
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal Stenosis
Currently, we see an increasing number of patients who suffer from tech neck or text neck.
When the neck is bent forward over an extended period of time, the muscle tissue surrounding the vertebrae becomes stressed and damaged, causing significant pain.
This same condition can arise from poor posture while working on a laptop or even at a desk if the setup is not ergonomic.
For example, when your neck, back, and head are lined up in a “neutral position,” there is minimal stress on the neck.
But, when an average head of 10 lbs bends forward just 15 degrees, the stress from the head feels like it weighs approximately 27 pounds. At 60 degrees forward the effect is like 60 pounds of pressure on the cervical vertebrae.
Soon the spine is out of alignment and pain soon follows in the neck, shoulders, upper back, and even down the arms.
Why should I see a chiropractor for my neck pain?
When neck pain doesn’t resolve itself after a few days, it can point to a significant issue that can be helped with chiropractic care.
Some clients visit our Racine chiropractic office because they are experiencing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms. The origin of these symptoms is often in the neck vertebrae. They may not point to a serious problem, but they should always be checked out.
Other patients experience pain, both chronic and acute, in the neck and shoulder region.
Problems in the neck can send pain up onto the head, as well as leading to other issues such as tension headaches.
At Daniels Chiropractic in Racine, our care for neck tension and pain can help in these ways:
- Reduce neck muscle tension.
- Decrease nerve irritation that sends pain signals to the brain.
- Improve blood flow to muscles of the neck and spine.
- Restore communication in the nervous system through spinal adjustments.
Keeping your spinal joints moving correctly - the goal of a chiropractic adjustment - reduces the strain on your spine and its supporting muscles.
At Daniels Chiropractic we can help relieve neck pain by adjusting your cervical vertebrae to their proper alignment.
Treatment like this helps to reduce your pain, improve your flexibility and motion, and get you moving easily and enjoying life again.
What will chiropractic neck pain care do for me?
The primary focus of treatment for your neck pain will be to restore the normal position and movement of your cervical spine’s vertebrae which will reduce your pain, improve your flexibility and motion, and get you moving again.
Our first goal is to begin to relieve the pain. Next, we want to get your neck moving with an increased range of motion and flexibility. Finally, we want you to keep you pain-free by implementing a regular routine of exercises and stretches.
We are committed to holistic care which means that we take into account all of the ways that your pain affects you and all of the things that can be contributing to your neck pain.
What treatments are used for neck pain?
At your first chiropractic appointment, we will do an exam through hands-on tests to assess muscle, bone, and joint function. It is possible that we will order an X-ray to determine if there is an underlying injury to your neck.
The primary focus of your treatment will be the adjustment of the individual bones of your spine called vertebrae.
An adjustment is done when the doctor uses his hands or an instrument to help move the vertebrae where it is stuck or not moving well to restore its normal position and movement.
At Daniels Chiropractic we use three different adjustment approaches to help you feel, move, and live better: hands only, table assisted, and instrument-assisted.
Each of these are beneficial and are chosen in consultation with you, the client.
The tight muscles and poor posture that have led to your neck pain can often cause your joints to become misaligned. Chiropractic adjustments can help to realign these joints and this allows shortened muscles to relax and lengthen. This will lead to an increase in the neck’s range of motion.
At Daniels Chiropractic we offer not only chiropractic care. We also offer physiotherapy modalities such as electrical stimulation for pain relief, cold laser therapy to accelerate healing, and ultrasound waves to improve blood flow.
Manual therapy can also be used to address muscular adhesions and trigger points and this increases flexibility
At the appropriate time, we recommend and teach you gentle stretches to lengthen the muscles attached to your cervical spine.
We also determine when you are ready to begin a strengthening campaign that will build the support that your head and neck require to stay healthy and pain-free. Stretching and flexibility are vital to neck health.
You will work with a certified member of our team, who will teach these stretches and exercises. They will be able to provide corrective feedback to ensure proper positioning, safety, and performance. We use a program you access through an app on your phone that has videos and clear instructions. You can go home and continue doing them in the convenience of your own home.
Neck pain and immobility keep you from both working hard and enjoying life. At Daniels Chiropractic our goal is to help you feel, move, and live better. We are passionate about helping you take charge of your own well-being.
If you are struggling with neck pain or immobility, come in and let us help you map out a plan for your road to recovery.
So many of us suffer with tension headaches caused by stress for years, not realizing there is real relief available. I first visited Dr. John with lower back and neck pain brought on by emotional and physical stress. I had been reticent about trying a chiropractor, but Daniels Chiropractic was recommended by several of my friends. I felt comfortable as soon as I walked in the door.
The office staff is extremely friendly and efficient. Dr John put me at ease right away. After running a few diagnostic tests, he used diagrams and models to carefully explained the underlying cause of my discomfort. I was surprised to note significant relief in my lower back in very short order.
The most significant benefit I have gotten from my visits, is relief from neck stress which I had endured for years. My lower back feels more consistently stable and strong and I am able to keep up with walking and zumba. I return for visits when necessary, generally after I've overdone playing or lifting my grandchildren.
The office gets me in right away, and Dr. John's treatments start bringing relief right away.
- Kathy M. // Racine, WI