Have a stiff or sore neck? Seeking relief or wondering what the potential cause of your neck pain could be? Here’s some insight.
Having a stiff neck is generally nothing to be worried about, but if the problem persists, you may want to consider visiting your local chiropractor. In most instances, a chiropractor will provide insight as to the cause of your neck pain and provide a remedy and a path to neck pain relief. As mentioned, neck pain is typically nothing to be concerned about, although in some instances, there could be a more serious underlying issue at play.
What are some of the Causes of Neck Pain?
Neck pain can be caused by a variety of issues. Awkward sleeping positions, prolonged computer use or even bad posture can all lead to neck and upper back pain. Stress and anxiety can also contribute to muscles in the neck feeling tense and stressed.
It is not uncommon for people to wake up and discover their neck is turned to one side and they are unable to move it back to a forward position. The name of this condition is torticollis and it is an injury to the muscles around and in the neck. The causes for torticollis is not exactly known but it is thought to be caused by bad habits such as sleeping with poor neck support, carrying unbalanced loads that are heavy and other stressful physical activities that may put pressure on one side of the body. Acute torticollis usually last for a few days but it can take up to one week to see real improvement.
Sometimes neck pain can be caused by a type of arthritis known as cervical spondylosis.. This form of arthritis is fairly common and is a general “wear and tear” condition that is more prevalent as we age. As the spinal disks in our neck dehydrate and shrink bone spurs can form as well as other symptoms of osteoarthritis.
In some cases, nerves can be pressed or pinched and the resulting pain can include the classic “pins and needles” feeling or numbness in hands or legs.
Whiplash is another form of neck pain that is caused by a sudden movement of the head in any direction. It is most often associated with sudden impact scenarios involving traffic accidents, but it can occur in many other scenarios that can cause the head to move suddenly. The sudden movement of the head causes ligaments and tendons to overstretch and this leads to pain and tenderness, headaches and reduced overall mobility of the neck.
Pinched nerves, also known as cervical radiculopathy, can be a problematic cause of neck pain. This condition occurs when one of the nerves that radiate out of any one of the cervical disks is subjected to one of several conditions including a herniated disc, cervical spinal stenosis or even cervical degenerative disc disease.
There may be more serious causes of neck or upper back pain such as:
- Decreasing degree of coordination – you may find normal everyday routines increasingly difficult
- Problems with running or walking
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Fever
- Unexpected and unexplained weight loss
If you find yourself suffering from any of these symptoms in addition to neck or upper back pain you should seek the attention of a doctor or chiropractor as soon as possible for a thorough evaluation.
How Do You Deal With Neck Pain At Home?
After a visit to a Vancouver Chiropractor, in addition to any pain relief and insight provided by the chiropractor in-house and depending on the cause of your neck pain, your chiropractor will most likely provide you with a list of exercises, stretches and other resolutions that you can apply at home to assist with the pain.
For many types of neck pain, the recommendation is fairly consistent in that one should just continue with life normally. Daily activities should carry on and painkillers that perform double duty as an anti-inflammatory such as acetaminophen could be taken. A few additional actions to take:
- When you sleep at night, be sure to use a firm pillow that is not too high or thick. Your neck can bend too far if multiple pillows are used.
- Be sure to utilize proper posture when sitting and standing. Bad posture can compound any issues you may have, not to mention it could actually be the source of your pain.
- Avoid neck collars, as there is no evidence to support the notion that they have any real benefit, and it is widely accepted that it is best to allow your neck to remain mobile.
- If you drive a vehicle, you may want to reduce your time behind the wheel is you find it difficult to turn your head. Any reduction in neck movement may increase the chances of an accident and it can aggravate the pain you are experiencing if you have to make any sudden movements.
- Follow a series of stretches and exercises provided by your chiropractor.
Neck Pain Summary
As mentioned, the majority of neck pain issues are nothing to be concerned about, but why live with neck pain when relief is available? At Broadway AT Yew Chiropractic & Massage, our chiropractors/neck pain specialists have provided neck pain treatment and relief for hundreds of Vancouver patients.
During your visit with one of our Vancouver chiropractors, a comprehensive and neurological examination is provided to assist with measuring an array of pain causing movements associated with muscle strength, spine curvature and alignment, motion and more. Call us today for an initial consultation. Relief for your neck pain is a phone call away!
Thank you for considering the chiropractors and massage therapists at Broadway AT Yew Chiropractic & Massage as your local neck pain specialists. We assure you that you’re in the best hands possible!
If you enjoyed this article, you may want to read a section of our website that’s devoted to sports related injuries. Neck injuries are often a result of injuries that occur during sports related activities!