Have you ever had a stiff neck? It might happen first thing in the morning if you slept in an awkward position. It might be at the end of a long work day. Most commonly it is from sitting at a computer all day. You turn your head from side to side, and your neck and shoulders feel really tense. There is a big difference between a stiff neck and one that hurts so bad that you can’t handle it, but how do you know when it’s “bad enough” that it’s time to visit a chiropractor for neck pain?
PINCHED NERVE
Your neck is made up of vertebrae, between each of the vertebra lie nerves and discs (gel-like pillows that provide cushion between each vertebra). If one or more of the vertebra shift out of alignment, they can ‘pinch’ the opening where the nerves run between, thus causes neck pain. You may even experience numbness or tingling moving into the arm or wrist. Chiropractic manipulative therapy, along with soft tissue therapy, can help re-align the spine, thus decreasing the pressure or ‘pinch’ of the nerve.
WHIPLASH
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries to the neck. It occurs when the neck experiences a sudden movement forward and backward or from side to side (either from a trauma like a car accident or sports related injury). The sudden motion overstretches and tears the tendons and ligaments and in turn affects the surrounding muscles in the neck. Chiropractic therapy may help the muscles and tendons return to pre-injury status by increasing the range of motion of the neck and decreasing overall pain and other symptoms such as headaches.
POOR POSTURE
Sitting hunched over your phone or computer will cause strain on your muscles and neck. Over time, poor posture can contribute to long-term pain and discomfort, as well prevent your spine from being able to naturally absorb shock and maintain proper balance. Chiropractic therapy offers postural exercises (stretches and strengthening) and realignment of the spine along with advice on how to correct work spaces in order to support a new posture.
6 Signs That You Should See a Chiropractor for Your Neck Pain
- Your neck pain or stiffness does not improve after a few days.
- You cannot look to the right or left without severe neck pain.
- You feel like you must use over-the-counter pain medications just to make it through the day and are using it regularly to treat your neck pain.
- You’re worried that your neck pain may be causing headaches or migraines.
- Your neck pain started in the neck but has moved to numbness or tingling in your hands or wrists.
- Your neck pain started within a few days of a car accident or sports injury.
Dr. Priscilla Narotam specializes in management and treatment of headaches, whiplash, and neck tension. Her aim is to restore motion to stiff joints through a treatment that includes gentle chiropractic manual therapy and mobilizations, along with soft tissue (muscle) therapy. Contact Dr. Narotam at 604-535-1242 to schedule an appointment.
