For most people, a stiff or sore neck is the gradual result of poor posture, bad sleeping positions or stress. For others, it may be due to a sudden accident or fall. Less common, neck pain can be attributed to a more serious underlying condition.
What is Neck Pain?
Your neck is comprised of 7 vertebrae separated by tough and flexible disc-shaped tissue. We call this area of your neck the cervical spine. This uniquely strong and flexible alignment supports your skull and allows you to turn your head from side to side.
Most doctor visits related to neck pain can be traced back to a person’s posture. Sitting awkwardly can overstretch the muscles of your neck. This imbalance places extra tension on, your cervical spine and leads to pain.
Degenerative conditions can also contribute to neck pain. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage deteriorates making joints stiff and difficult to move. Learn more about arthritis.
The intervertebral discs between the bones of your spine can degenerate over time. This results in bulging or herniated discs, which cause tingling, numbness and pain that can be felt into the arms.
Spinal stenosis causes pain and numbness when the nerves of the vertebrae become trapped and compressed. Learn more about nerve pain.
Injuries, such as whiplash are another cause of neck pain. Read more about whiplash.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Neck Pain
Take note if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
Stiffness or inability to move your neck
Neck pain lasts for multiple days
Pain spreads from neck to upper back or arms
Headaches
Numbness, weakness or tingling in your neck, arms or hands
Symptoms may worsen after activities in which you hold your head in one position for an extended period of time, such as driving or sitting at a computer.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, we recommend you come in for a consultation. Make an appointment online anytime.
If you’ve sustained an injury and are experiencing severe neck pain, seek immediate care.
We are here to help
Our mission is to provide a timely and sustainable recovery. We practice a wide range of evidence-based techniques to aid in your recovery, customized for each patient.
Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment to help restore your neck’s full range of motion.
Therapy modalities such as cold laser or electric stimulation to minimize muscle tightness, pain, and swelling.
Neuromuscular Massage Therapy to improve circulation and reduce pain.
Therapeutic stretching to increase your flexibility.
Irondequoit Chiropractic Center is proud to have served the Rochester community for more than 20 years. You can schedule an appointment anytime by contacting our office.
