Neck Pain and Chiropractic Care

Your neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. Incredibly, the cervical spine supports the full weight of your head, which is on average about 12 pounds. While the cervical spine can move your head in nearly every direction, this flexibility makes the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.

What are some typical causes of neck pain?

• Unfortunately, growing older in itself can be a cause of neck pain.  As we age, we are more likely to develop conditions such as osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.
• Injuries and accidents are common causes of neck pain.  Muscles react to injury by tightening which can result in pain and stiffness.  Car accidents are the leading cause of whiplash which occurs when the head or neck is suddenly forced in one direction and rebounds in the opposite direction.
• Our daily lives contribute to neck pain too.  Obesity, poor posture, muscle weaknesses and stress can all cause neck pain.

What can a chiropractor do for neck pain?

Your chiropractor will perform an examination and may take x-rays of the painful areas.  Physical and neurological tests may also be performed.  Your chiropractor will ask you questions about how the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and if it affects other parts of your body as well.  Observations of your posture, tests of muscle strength, and other objective tests will be performed.

Should you be a candidate for chiropractic treatment, your chiropractor will develop a program of care that may include chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound or interferential therapy, physical therapy and/or exercise therapy.

Our goal is to help patients enjoy healthier, active lives.  If you have a condition that is outside our scope of treatment, be assured that you will be referred to the appropriate medical professional.