Neck Pain

Stress, sleep position, posture, smoking, and even modern technology can result in chronic neck pain. Upper Cervical chiropractors offer a natural, gentle, and effective solution. 

The Symptoms of Neck Pain

Neck pain can encompass several different sensations. For example, the pain may involve tightness and spasms in the muscles of the neck. It can result in a decreased range of motion making it tougher to nod the head up and down or to turn from side to side. Pain may grow worse when you hold your head in one position for long periods of time – for example, when you have to spend long hours looking at a computer monitor. Neck pain can also lead to tension headaches.  

Common Causes of Neck Pain 

Neck pain can spring from many different sources. For example, if you sleep in an uncomfortable position, you may wake up with a stiff neck. If you spend long hours driving in a vehicle or working at a desk, poor posture may become an underlying problem. People who frequently use mobile technology may suffer from what has been termed “text neck” or “tech neck.” Nerve compression can result in radiating pain that enters the shoulders and may even extend down the arms. Trauma such as car accidents and sports injuries can also lead to chronic neck pain. Stress is another major factor as it can provide the basis for tension in the neck.  

Preventing Neck Pain

There are a number of ways to try and combat neck pain. Most of these have to do with avoiding the common sources of neck pain.  For Example: 

Change your sleep position 

If you often wake up with a stiff neck, you may need to get a new pillow or change the position you sleep in. Sleeping on your stomach is the worst for your neck because your head will be turned to the side so you can breathe. Imagine walking around for 8 hours with your head turned to the side? It is not a surprise when a stomach sleeper wakes up with neck pain. 

Take breaks at work 

If you spend long hours driving or sitting at a desk for work, take regular breaks (every 45-60 minutes) to get up and stretch a little. This will keep neck muscles from staying in a stressed position for too long.  

Quit smoking 

Smoking can damage the discs between the vertebrae and lead to the premature onset of arthritis in the neck.  

Get a better bag 

If you regularly carry a heavy bag over one shoulder, you should consider switching to a backpack or another type of bag that allows you to distribute the weight evenly. 

Stress management 

Good stress management techniques can help you to reduce the amount of stress  that ends up trapped in your neck and shoulders.  

In addition to these preventative measures, you can also find relief from many forms of neck pain through upper cervical chiropractic care. 

What is Upper Cervical Chiropractic? 

This subspecialty of chiropractic involves very precise and gentle corrections of the C1 and C2 vertebrae, the top two bones in the neck. When neck pain becomes chronic, it is often due to the fact that many of the origins of neck pain lead to misalignments. While you may change your behavior that initially resulted in the misalignment, an upper cervical correction could also be necessary to achieve long-term relief from the pain.  

Upper Cervical chiropractors like to use the mantra, “Holding is healing!” When the top two bones are in alignment, communication between the brain and body is restored, and the body has a greater chance to heal itself naturally and keep the pain away.