Neck pain can be real pain in neck. But one treatment is often overlooked.
But first, what are some causes of neck pain?
Often neck pain can be a result of poor posture or “Tech Neck.” This can lead to tight muscles in the back of the neck and tension across the upper back in to the shoulders. This is because your muscles are always pulling to keep your head from falling forward.
Car accidents and whiplash is another frequent cause of neck pain. The injury could be recent or it could have happened many years ago. This type of injury can lead to a loss or reversal of the normal cervical “C” curve and extensive damage to ligaments that hold the bones in place.
Sometimes the pain can travel to the shoulders, upper back, arms or to the hands and fingers. It can feel like burning, tingling, numbness or weakness. This can be a serious problem and should be checked by a doctor.
Neck pain is frequently associated with having headaches and can also be a major cause of some types of headaches.
What can you do for neck pain?
Self care for neck pain usually consists of gentle range of motion stretching, moist heat, or icing.
Exercises to strengthen neck, shoulder and upper back muscles are very important to help muscles work better and get stronger.
Application of heat for chronic pains or ice for new onset neck pain for about 20 minutes at a time is good general advice. Getting regular massages to help loosen muscle tissue can be beneficial as well.
All of these may give some temporary relief, but may not address the underlying cause.
Sleeping in better posture (not on your stomach) and keeping your neck in a neutral position either on your back or side is by far the best.
And because, you may have heard that sitting has recently been called the “new smoking,” taking breaks from sitting is very important. We recommend taking a 20 second break every 20 minutes to get your body moving and to change positions out of the flexed position of sitting.
Medical treatment for neck pain usually is to over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Accepting the inevitable side effects in return for meager reductions in pain and a mild increase in comfort…
Interesting new research on neck pain says something else…
In fact, in a research paper published by the Annals of Internal Medicine, spinal manipulation (aka. Chiropractic Adjustments) was more effective than medication at improving neck pain by the end of 12 weeks of treatment and continued to be so a whole year later.
Short term relief with long lasting results!!! That’s great..
Wait but there is more. In this study, and in many others performed over the years, echo this next part.
Participants who received spinal manipulation (chiropractic care) were more satisfied with their care then taking medication. That is wonderful news for you. Chiropractic care in Knightdale NC has great patient satisfaction.
We are sure you will find the same results at Camelot Chiropractic Centre in Knightdale!
