Every year, roughly 30% of adults in the United States report experiencing neck pain. Duration, severity, and type of neck pain all differ within the statistics, but we think it’s safe to say: there are a lot of people suffering from this condition.
Why do so many people experience neck pain in today’s world? Is there anything that can be done to decrease the number of neck pain sufferers? Let’s dive in!
Causes of Neck Pain
While there are numerous conditions and disorders that can lead to neck pain, some of the most common causes include:
Poor Posture
One of the most common causes of neck pain is sustained, inappropriate posture. FHP, or forward head posture, is a very common position desk workers assume for 8 hours or more throughout the day. This position puts certain neck muscles on stretch, while shortening others. Not to mention, the joints are forced to support the neck in this position, causing wear and tear on them as well.
Degenerative Conditions
Osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and other degenerative diseases can all lead to neck pain. Some of these diseases are caused by genetics, but others can be caused by (or at least increased by) lifestyle and daily habits.
Trauma
Being involved in a car accident, getting hit on the head, and other forms of trauma can all create lasting changes in the joints of the upper spine, which may lead to neck pain. Even one traumatic experience can cause long-lasting detrimental issues in the spine. Furthermore, repeated impacts, such as those experienced by boxers or football players can have compound effects that may cause very severe neck pain in addition to other issues.
Serious Conditions
Rarely, neck pain can result from disease processes such as cancer or systemic conditions like meningitis. While not often the cause of neck pain, these conditions should always be ruled out before you begin any treatment regimen. If your neck pain does not improve or gets worse with conservative care, you may require a more specialized diagnosis to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help Neck Pain Sufferers?
Chiropractors utilize a number of tools in order to relieve neck pain in patients. However, before implementing any treatments, your chiropractor will need to perform an in-depth examination to determine the cause of your symptoms. This will require a thorough physical evaluation to see how you move as well as a medical history. You may even need to undergo x-ray imaging to get a clearer picture of the issues affecting your spine.
Once your chiropractor has determined the cause of your neck pain, she will then develop a treatment plan. Which may include one or more of the following modalities (AKA treatment methods):
- Traction
Traction can be performed manually (through the use of the chiropractor’s hands) or with a machine. Either way, traction serves to slightly separate the joints of the neck so that the patient can experience some relief from the compression he is experiencing in the spine.
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
STM refers to a massage in which pressure is applied to the patient’s soft tissue (neck muscles, tendons, skin) so that the tension within these structures is released. There are many different methods of massage and STM available to chiropractors, and she will select the one that makes the most sense for your particular condition.
- Joint Manipulation or Mobilization
By applying the correct amount of pressure at the correct angle, your chiropractor can adjust the joints in your neck. This may help for neck pain resulting from a misalignment in the upper spine.
Are you sick of having a pain in the neck? If so, call the team at Awaken Chiropractic. Awaken is the premier Parker chiropractor serving the Colorado area. Book your appointment today!
