Among common complaints, neck pain has made its mark. When experiencing neck pain, it may be difficult to turn your head or flex your head forward or backwards. Your neck pain can be caused by something as simple as turning your head too fast, sports injuries, such as getting hit in the head/neck, slip and fall, car accident/whiplash injuries. Your bones, muscles and ligaments hold the weight of your head., If the neck area becomes compromised and unstable, pain and weakness may occur. You might experience symptoms including muscle tightness or spasms, throbbing, achy pains in head, neck and upper back, headaches/migraines, numbness, tingling, sharp shooting pains going down your arms. All of these symptoms can result from neck pain.
Your neck can become vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain. For example, you may have been in a car accident and sustained a whiplash injury where your head and neck forcefully moved forward and and backwards upon impact. Years later, you may be having aches and pains in your neck resulting from the accident. The causes of your neck pain may be a pinched nerve, a strain/sprain (pulled muscle/ligament), disc herniation, spinal stenosis, arthritis, or rarely something more severe. A chiropractor can help with your pain.
A chiropractor can effectively diagnose and treat your neck pain. A chiropractor can recommend cervical X-Rays or cervical MRI to to further diagnose your condition. A chiropractor can relax your tight muscles and ligaments in your neck and release your pinched nerves. A chiropractor can can gently traction your neck to help with the inflammation of the disc. A chiropractor can recommend home treatments such as ice, heat, and exercise.
Further recommendations are adjust your desk, chair, and computer so that the monitor is at eye level. Your knees should be slightly lower than your hips. Use a lumbar support when sitting at your desk to improve posture which helps with neck pain. If you are in a lot of pain, a neck collar or U-shaped pillow one hour a day can give your neck a break from holding your head up. Avoid carrying heavy bags at grocery store . School age or college students should use both straps of a backpack. Sleep in a comfortable position. Your head and neck should be parallel to the floor when sleeping on your side.
If you have neck pain, come visit a chiropractor.