Neck Pain Relief

Patients frequently seek a chiropractor for treatment of neck pain or stiffness. Neck pain symptoms may include:

• Sharp pain which radiates into the head and causes headaches
• Stiffness in one or both sides of the neck
• Neck muscle spasms
• Difficulty or neck pain when turning the neck, looking down or looking up
• Pain, burning or pins and needles shooting into the arm or shoulder
• Numbness, tingling, pain or burning radiating into the upper back
• Soreness or ache in the neck when the weather changes
• Neck pain after activity
• Neck pain when sleeping or when waking up

When a patient presents with neck pain, the following factors are important in assessing the cause:

• When did the pain in the neck start? ( yesterday, two weeks ago, years ago)
• Was there an accident or activity which caused the neck pain? ( car acident, work injury, sports injury)
• What does it feel like? ( sharp, sore, burning, stiff)
• Does the pain radiate? ( into the arm, hand, head or back)
• What makes the neck pain better? What makes it worse?
• What normal activities are affected by the pain?
• Is there a history of injury or other medical conditions?

Once the history of the complaint is discussed, an examination will be performed which will look at the following:

• Resting posture ( is the head tilted to one side, is one shoulder higher than the other, is the head tilted)
• The curve of the neck and low back
• The range of motion of the neck and spine
• Which structures are affected ( muscles, soft tissue, joints, nerves)
• Strength, reflexes and sensation dysfunction

Additional tests may be required such as x-rays, MRI, EMG or lab work if examination findings warrant

Once the history, examination and additional tests are completed and it is found that chiropractic treatment is appropriate, a treatment plan is created which often will address the following:

• Reduce pain and inflammation: Reducing the neck pain is the reason patients present for care and initial treatment will target the pain and also decrease the inflammation of the involved tissue
• Restore proper motion of the spine and extremities
• Remove or reduce subluxations

Ready to begin feeling better? Click Here to schedule online (easiest) or reach us by phone 610-494-0412