Some incidents or problems have direct and clear consequences. For instance, if you get a stomachache after eating a ton of candy in one sitting, you probably know why. However, if you don’t know the original cause, it can be difficult to know how to address it—if you only work on the symptom like neck pain through taking pain reliever, the issue will come back as soon as the medication wears off. What are the causes of neck pain and what can your chiropractor do about them? Keep reading to learn more.
Accident or Injury
Whether in the car or in a supposedly friendly sport with friends, your neck can become injured by suddenly jerking one way and then the other and throwing off your spinal alignment. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a few days for neck pain to set in, which means that you can seem fine immediately after an accident and suffer later. As a result, you should see your chiropractor soon after a car accident or a strong impact to get ahead of the pain.
Bad Posture
Your spine is most comfortable when weight is evenly distributed and balanced, but sitting or standing with incorrect posture can put strain on certain areas, including the neck. For instance, if you look at a screen all day with your head pulled forward, the weight of your head places stress on your neck muscles and distorts how the top part of your spine should be aligned. In addition to seeing your chiropractor regularly for treatment, you need to stop every hour or two and reset your posture.
Text Neck
Although technology is an integral part of modern living, it can lead to painful situations. In fact, pain that results from consistently looking down at your phone, laptop, tablet, other devices, or even books is called text neck. On top of taking breaks to look up and around and raising your technology to a more comfortable, ergonomical viewing level, visits to the chiropractor can keep text neck at bay.
Certain Illnesses
If you have conditions like osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or degenerative disc disease, your bones, joints, or discs may not remain properly spaced and separated. Discs are cushions of collagen that protect the vertebrae and act as a buffer between your spine and your spinal nerve. Although each of these diseases behaves in a different way, they can all end with neck pain as vertebrae grind against each other and/or against the spinal nerve.
How Your Chiropractor Can Address Neck Pain
The cause of your neck pain will affect which treatment your chiropractor will choose to alleviate your neck pain. In many cases, they will perform some form of adjustment, whether it’s manual manipulation or stretching until the spine resumes its normal position. They may also use therapeutic massage or a TENS unit, which delivers tiny electric pulses to relax the muscles in your neck. Other options include cold laser therapy, which oxygenates the cells in the injured area and brings healing nutrients for faster healing.
You don’t only have to mask your neck pain. You can take care of the actual cause of it, reducing your symptoms and restoring your body to its more natural comfortable alignment.
About the Author
Dr. Zinovy Chukhman attended the Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas and has since become certified in all levels with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He takes advantage of all the latest technology and techniques available in the field to help every patient find relief from their pain. To schedule an appointment with him at AlignRight Chiropractic in Richardson, TX, call us at 972-907-2800 or clicking here.
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