Neck pain is a frequent complaint and ranks right up with headache, backache, and toothache as one of the most troublesome sources of pain. Most people experience neck pain at some time or another. Perhaps after a long day at work, bent over a desk, in front of a computer, or maybe after a particularly stressful time during which you were unable to relax your muscles. The pain could be dull or sharp, gradual or more sudden. Perhaps you’ve been ignoring minor neck pain for a little while, hoping it will go away, but it only gets worse. Neck pain can interfere with your ability to function, to focus, or to enjoy many activities.
Neck pain can have any of a number of causes, but most cases fall into one of three categories:
- Normal Wear – The typical modern lifestyle can be a huge factor in neck pain. Many of us spend hours every day behind a desk, looking down or at a computer, often forgetting to take breaks to stretch. This position places enormous strain on the neck. Poor posture and gaining weight can exaggerate the problem.
- Aging – Degenerative diseases such as degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis can affect younger people, but are primarily seen in the elderly. As we age, our cartilage and the discs between the vertebrae begin to deteriorate and lose elasticity. This can lead to pain and lack of mobility.
- Injury – Athletes, especially those who play high impact contact sports such as football, are at particularly high risk of neck injury. Neck injury is also a common injury in car crashes, particularly rear end collisions.
Many people try to self medicate with over the counter pain relievers, but this only serves to mask the pain, while the underlying cause only gets worse. In a few hours, the pain returns and more medication is needed. Medication is great for short term relief, but can cause liver damage if used long term. Chiropractic care is a drug-free, noninvasive method of treating pain, whether in the neck or other areas. Chiropractic seeks to locate and treat the underlying cause of pain to provide long-lasting relief.
Chiropractors are trained to adjust the body in ways that restore balance and mobility. Your chiropractor will use his or her hands to apply gentle pressure to specific joints to improve your range of motion and ease pain. He or she may also use massage to loosen the muscles in the surrounding area to prevent tension from causing the problem to return. You may also be given some stretching and strengthening exercises to do at home to help improve your posture and prevent pain from returning.
Chiropractic is a highly effective method of treating most pain, but is not appropriate for all situations. If your neck pain is accompanied by high fever, sensitivity to light, nausea, you may have meningitis or another serious infection. If you have any of these symptoms, you need to go to the hospital for immediate medical care. If your initial assessment shows your neck pain may be caused by a spinal cord injury, your chiropractor will refer you to a specialist. If your pain is caused by fibromyalgia, arthritis, or certain other conditions, your chiropractor may work in cooperation with your general practice doctor to manage your pain.
You don’t have to live with neck pain, contact Spine Scan now on (08) 9221 0402 to schedule an appointment to find out how we can help you get your life back.