Reported Symptoms of Neck Pain

When patients come to us with neck pain, it can be chronic or acute and often includes one or more of the following symptoms:

• Radiating pain down arms

• Sharp pain in the neck with specific movements

• Dull, nagging, consistent pain

• Stiff neck / lowered range of motion

• Pain when turning their head

• Sleeplessness

• Discomfort or pain when performing certain job responsibilities

• Ache when in certain body positions, such as sleeping, standing, or sitting

• Tension in the neck or jaw

• Tender, painful, popping, or locking jaw

 

We recommend that anyone experiencing neck pain see us as soon as possible to help alleviate the discomfort, discover the source, and to begin making safe and natural changes for long-term relief.

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Common Causes of Neck Pain

Determining the root cause of your neck pain will be part of the preliminary exam as well as the ongoing treatment. Neck pain can be caused by internal misalignments such as disc issues or externally from situation stress or injury. 

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Some of these could include:

• Working from home

•  Poor work ergonomics

• Strain or stress

• Repetitive work or sports activities

• Poor posture

• A vehicle accident

• Texting / Cellphone use

• Improper lifting

• Jerking or jarring of the body

• Pregnancy / breastfeeding

• Surgery

• Injury

• Pinched nerves

• TMJD

 

Overcoming Neck Pain

The first step in overcoming neck pain is to find out what's causing it. Chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitative exercises, myofascial release, lifestyle changes, and time will make the difference between being in pain and not.

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Strategies for each source of neck pain will vary, and Dr. Dalton and Dr. Kristen have the skills to support your success.

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Working from home

While many of us consider our ergonomics while in an office environment, working from home often gives us less structured options, which can result in poor posture for long periods of time, using your bed or sofa instead of a supportive office chair with lumbar support in front of a properly positioned desk can cause neck pain.

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Poor Work Ergonomics

Sitting at a desk for long periods with limited movement can cause our backs, hips, and necks to hurt and become stiff. Using a keyboard and looking at a computer monitor for long stretches of time can cause neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches. These can all be addressed through chiropractic adjustments and changes to your office ergonomic setup.

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Strain or Stress

When we strain, such as when we carry a heavy object, we can put undue pressure on our necks. Stress can also form tension in our necks, making them more susceptible to injury and pain. Clenching our jaws adds to this tension and creates headaches, jaw pain, and neck pain.

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Repetitive work or sports activities

Our bodies are powerful and resilient yet can still get worn out with repetitive tasks. Whether moving furniture day in and out or playing golf or tennis, your body can begin to feel the pain of the same movement, wearing down the muscles, ligaments, or joints.

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Poor posture

Often related to ergonomics, poor posture and head position can leave us with neck pain, headaches, and back or low back pain. Walking, slouching, or sitting out of alignment puts extra stress on our spine and joints, creating ongoing discomfort.

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Vehicle accident

Even at relatively low speeds, whiplash can occur, causing soreness, restricted range of motion, or even debilitating pain. Whiplash may only be one symptom of many following a car crash, and a chiropractor can help with gentle adjustments to help your body heal faster.

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Texting / Cellphone use

We live in a world where cellphone use is an ongoing, daily occurrence, often with us looking down at our screens in ways that our necks don’t like. Texting and looking down at cellphones puts undue stress on our upper back and neck. Light exercises and chiropractic adjustments can realign the neck to reduce pain.

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Improper lifting

Improper lifting results in strain on the neck (as well as the low back, hips, and hamstrings). Usually, this is an occasional injury that will pass, but adjustments and stretches prescribed by the chiropractor can help in a quicker recovery.

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Jerking or jarring of the body

Jarring or jerking usually happen unexpectedly, such as falling down the stairs, slipping on ice, riding an amusement park ride, or getting hit in the head with a soccer ball. These are all accidents that not only rattle your body but can cause you to tense or strain, further injuring your neck and other areas.

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Pregnancy / Breastfeeding

Pregnancy is very hard on a woman’s body, and this doesn’t end at delivery. The body will continue to shift after the baby is born, creating the need for adjustments. While breastfeeding, mom may notice pain in her neck developing – after all, this is a new position to be in and can create discomfort.

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Surgery

Following neck surgery, many patients feel tenderness, limited range of motion, and pinching sensations. The trauma of surgery, including oral surgery, likely created a misalignment. Healing takes time, and individual adjustments may need to wait, but the pain doesn’t have to be a side effect that has to be endured. Let’s talk about additional resources for pain while healing post-op.

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Injury

Injuries and accidents can happen at any time; they are simply part of life, whether we are careful or adventurous. When injuries occur, Performance Health is here to help with a variety of methods and techniques to holistically get your body back into full health.

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Pinched nerves

Pinched nerves are excruciating. It is caused when the tissue around the nerve puts too much pressure on the nerve or nerve root. This results in heightened pain in the area, typically the neck, back, or even hands, elbows, or wrists. Adjustments to these parts of the body can help remove the pressure and resulting pain.

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TMJD / TMJ

TMJD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. This joint connects your jawbone to your skull and acts like a sliding hinge. When it isn’t working properly, there can be difficulty chewing, clicking, popping, locking of the jaw, headaches, ear, and neck pain. Trigger points or tension in the muscles controlling the jaw can cause discomfort and lead to referral pain patterns like headaches. 

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Herniated / Bulged Disc

Bulged or herniated discs in the cervical spine tend to send pain down your arm(s) and create a stiff or painful neck. This pain can also radiate into the shoulder(s) and throw off your body as it overcompensates elsewhere for the pain.