02 Feb Neck pain and what chiropractic can do to help you
Understanding Neck Pain and How Chiropractic Can Help
Do you often experience neck pain or stiffness? If so, you’re not alone. Neck pain is a common problem that affects many people. But why do we get neck pain in the first place?
There are many causes of neck pain, including poor posture, stress, injury, and underlying health conditions.
Poor posture can cause pain in several ways;
1. Misalignment of the spine; this places large loads and pressure on the muscles and joints.
2. Muscular strain; poor posture means the joints are out of balance so the muscles do the work instead. Just look at everyone staring at their phone on public transport.
3. Increased disc compression. Forward head posture studies by University of San Diego¹ showed that for every 2 cm’s of forward head positioning there is an extra 5kg’s of disc load. Put that load on your head and you’ll get the idea.
4. Pinched and pressured nerves; This can lead to the nerves that go to your arm and hand being painful, tingling or even numb.
Stress can cause neck pain in a number of ways;
1. Chronic stress leads to prolonged neck muscle tension and neck pain like any muscle group that is overused².
2. Stress raises the probability of periods of stillness and concentration such as at work or preparing for exams which decreases blood flow and proper oxygen supply and waste removal leading to pain.
Injury can cause pain in several ways;
1. One off trauma; injury can occur with motor vehicle accidents or sporting accidents though often the trauma can be very mild such as drying your hair or ducking under a branch while on a walk.
2. Prolonged load can easily stress ligaments and muscles. Activities such as sleeping on your stomach, watching TV in bed and using your phone on the couch
Regardless of the cause, neck pain can be debilitating and interfere with your daily activities.
Fortunately, chiropractic care can help relieve neck pain. Our chiropractors use a variety of techniques to improve spinal alignment, reduce inflammation, and improve the overall functioning of the neck and surrounding muscles.
Chiropractic adjustments help restore mobility to the neck and reduce pain, stiffness, and discomfort. A study published in the European Journal of Pain (2012) found that chiropractic adjustments were effective for treating neck pain³. Many happy patients have told us the same thing.
In addition, our chiropractors may also recommend exercises and lifestyle modifications to help prevent future neck pain.
If you’re suffering from neck pain, we encourage you to book an appointment with us. Our chiropractors will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your pain and helps you achieve long-lasting relief.
We look forward to helping you find relief from your neck pain and improving your overall health and wellness. Give us a call at Northcote Chiropractic Centre on 9480 4383 or at Essendon Health and Sports on 9370 8266.
- Chiu, L., & Vitale, M. (2005). Postural stress caused by carrying a load. The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 47(3), 507-517.
- Nippold, M. A., & Whetstone-Dion, M. A. (2008). Stress, emotional and psychogenic factors in neck and shoulder pain. Journal of communication disorders, 41(6), 507-525.
- Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Acute Neck Pain
Understanding Spinal Adjustments
