Why does my neck hurt?
The neck normally has a large range of motion and is responsible for holding up the weight of your head. Unfortunately, the neck is less protected than other areas of your spine and is more susceptible to pain and injuries. Common problems that can cause your neck to hurt include:
- Poor posture
- Looking down at your phone or computer for long periods
- Ergonomic issues at work
- Sleeping on your stomach
- Whiplash injuries
- Turning your head quickly
- Looking in one direction for long periods
- Coughing or sneezing
While some of these issues can cause mild discomfort or stiffness, other issues can signal a more complicated neck injury.
What causes neck pain?
In addition to whiplash injuries, common causes of neck pain include:
- Intersegmental dysfunction
- Muscle strain or ligament sprain
- Facet syndrome
- Spinal stenosis
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Disc herniation
Some of these injuries may be related to local pain in your neck and can also cause tension headaches. More complex neck problems can also irritate the nerves in your neck, causing numbness, tingling, or shooting pains down your arms and into your hands.
How is neck pain diagnosed?
Neck pain is diagnosed based on a consultation and physical exam at AllCare Chiropractic. A team member begins your visit by asking about your symptoms, any known cause of your pain, and things that make your pain better or worse.
Then, the team member walks you through a series of movements to check your flexibility and muscle strength and measure the range of motion in your neck.
Additional orthopedic tests assess the stability of the ligaments in your neck by stretching your neck to either side and gently pulling upward on the base of your skull. These movements may feel good or they may be uncomfortable.
In some cases, the team may refer you for X-rays or an MRI. Based on your exam and any necessary imaging, the team diagnoses the cause of your neck pain.
How is neck pain treated?
At AllCare Chiropractic, the team takes a multiple-step approach to address your neck pain. Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment may include chiropractic adjustments to restore mobility and flexibility to your neck, physiotherapy to relieve pain and inflammation, and rehabilitation to stretch and strengthen the muscles in your neck.
If conservative care isn’t enough, the team refers you to an orthopedic specialist in the area.
Schedule a visit online or by phone today at AllCare Chiropractic to get relief from your neck pain.
