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Neck Pain Relief Feature

Neck Pain Relief

Neck Pain Symptoms

Neck pain symptoms include:

  • Muscle spasms and tightness
  • Headache
  • Reduced ability to move your head
  • Pain that may get worse when holding your head in one position for a long time

Neck Pain Causes

Many different conditions could be causing your neck pain. Neck pain causes may include:

  • Injuries. Whiplash is a common result of rear-end collisions. The jerking of the head forward and backward can strain the soft tissues of your neck.
  • Diseases. Some diseases can have neck pain as a symptom, such as cancer, meningitis, or rheumatoid arthritis. If you’re experiencing other symptoms besides neck pain, you should head to the doctor to rule out a serious medical condition.
  • Nerve compression. Things like bone spurs and herniated discs in the vertebrae of your neck can pinch the nerves coming out of your spinal cord.
  • Muscle strains. Muscle strains are a common cause of neck pain and can result from things like reading a lot of books, using poor posture at a computer, or spending too long doing everything but talking on your smartphone.
  • Worn joints. Your neck joints can wear down with age the same as any other joint in your body. Osteoarthritis is the result of the cartilage between your vertebrae deteriorating. The resulting bone spurs can affect the motion of your neck and cause pain.

Neck Pain Prevention

Age-related wear and tear are difficult to prevent, but a lot of neck pain is the result of poor posture. Try some of these things for neck pain prevention:

  • Take frequent breaks. Whether you spend all day at your computer or you’re taking a road trip, take frequent breaks to stretch your neck, shoulders, and other muscles.
  • Use good posture. Your ears, shoulders, and hips should be in a straight line when you are standing or sitting.
  • Avoid tucking the phone between your shoulder and ear. Use a headset instead.
  • Use good workplace ergonomics. Your computer monitor should be at eye level. Your knees should be a little lower than your hips. Keep your keyboard at a comfortable level.
  • Avoid carrying heavy bags on your shoulders. Whether it’s a purse, messenger bag, or backpack, heavyweight on your shoulders can lead to neck pain. Consider a rolling bag instead.
  • Sleep in a good position. The best position is flat on your back with a thin pillow under your head and a pillow under your knees to straighten out your back.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking can increase your risk of neck pain.

Neck Pain Diagnosis

Your doctor may be able to diagnose the cause of your neck pain with a physical examination, or they may want to run some diagnostic tests such as:

  • X-ray
  • MRI
  • CT scan
  • Electromyography (EMG)
  • Blood tests

Neck Pain Treatment

Neck pain treatment may vary depending on the cause and severity of your neck pain. Neck pain treatments may include:

  • Medication may include over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) or stronger prescription muscle relaxers or pain relievers.
  • Physical therapy may include things like electrical stimulation, correcting posture, and muscle strengthening.
  • Traction uses several methods to stretch your neck.
  • Short-term immobilization using a soft collar may relieve pain when used for short, periodic intervals.
  • Steroid injections can help reduce pain.
  • Surgery may be required in extreme cases.
  • Acupuncture uses tiny needles placed in specific locations to reduce pain.
  • Chiropractic care uses controlled, abrupt force applied to a joint to bring short-term pain relief.

Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain

Chiropractic care can loosen your neck by applying sudden force to the joints. It sounds scarier than it is. This cervical manipulation can reduce pain caused by muscle spasms and pinched nerves.

Chiropractors may also offer other treatments such as exercise plans, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, and more to help you achieve neck pain relief.

When to Go to the Doctor

Chiropractic care isn’t always the right choice for neck pain relief. If you’re experiencing the following symptoms with your neck pain, you should head to the doctor instead of a chiropractor:

  • Pain or numbness down your shoulder, arm, or leg may indicate a slipped disk or a spinal cord injury.
  • A fever, headache, or vomiting with neck pain may indicate meningitis, potentially fatal infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Click here or call Southside Chiropractic Car Injury Clinic today at 904-497-0823 to schedule a consultation to see if we can help bring you neck pain relief.

Neck Pain FAQs

Neck pain can be extremely difficult to live with for long periods. It is uncomfortable. It can disrupt your sleep. And it can make daily tasks nearly impossible. If you are experiencing neck pain, you likely want relief as soon as possible.

The first step towards relieving your neck pain is to know its causes. There are several reasons why you may have neck pain. They are as follows.

  • A traumatic injury, such as those caused by auto accidents.
  • Whiplash.
  • A pinched nerve.
  • A slipped disc.
  • Sitting for long periods with poor posture.
  • Improper neck positioning.

In addition to the many causes of neck pain, there are multiple risk factors. By removing or mitigating these factors, you will be able to better prevent neck pain.

  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Old age.
  • Certain diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or meningitis.

Another way to potentially prevent neck pain is to make some lifestyle changes. They include the following.

  • Improve your posture.
  • Do not sit for long periods without a break.
  • Don’t tuck your phone between your shoulder and ear.
  • Ensure you are sleeping in a proper position.
  • Roll heavy bags, do not carry them on your shoulder.

Neck pain is very common. It is not always a sign of a serious health concern. However, you should contact a medical professional if the following signs occur.

  • The pain increases in severity.
  • The pain spreads to your arms and legs.
  • The pain lasts for multiple days.
  • You also experience headaches, numbness, weakness, or tingling.

These four signs can indicate a serious problem. At the very least, they indicate that your neck pain is not getting better on its own. Going to a medical professional like a doctor or chiropractor is important for relief from neck pain.

If your neck pain does not get severe, you may be able to treat it at home. These actions can help you relieve your neck pain.

  • Take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
  • Use heat or cold to reduce swelling and pain.
  • Try simple stretches.
  • Employ some lifestyle changes to reduce your chance of neck pain in the future.

If the neck pain lasts for multiple days, it is always best to contact a chiropractor. They will diagnose the reasons for your neck pain and its causes. Once they have that information, they will recommend a treatment plan. The best part about going to a chiropractor for your neck pain relief is that they use non-invasive treatments. These treatments will likely include spinal adjustment, massage, and physical therapy.

If you are having neck pain in the Jacksonville, FL, area, you need the help of Southside Chiropractic Car Injury Clinic. Contact us today to learn how we can help you with neck pain relief. 

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