Your neck is the literal scaffolding that supports your brain and connects your spine to the rest of your body. It’s no wonder there are so many common idioms that revolve around the neck. Stick your neck out, a pain in the neck or even the rapper’s idiom “Protect Your Neck.” Therefore, managing and preventing neck pain as much as possible is of vital importance. The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) gives the neck its due in their article “Keep your neck in check- Facts and Fixes.”

Neck pain is defined as discomfort or stiffness in the cervical spine, which can impact movement and overall function. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term or recurring), potentially interfering with everyday tasks like driving, sleep or work. Up to 70% of people experience neck pain at some point in their lives. The head weighs roughly 10-12 pounds, but poor posture can increase neck strain up to 60 pounds, which is a major factor in neck pain. Research shows that neck pain has a direct impact on physical and mental health.

Neck Pain Causes

  • There is a valid reason why your parents always told you not to slouch. Poor posture, such as slouching or looking down at your phone or computer at work, can strain the neck.
  • Injuries like whiplash from car accidents, sports injuries or sudden impacts can create pain and discomfort.
  • Muscle strain from repetitive movements or holding the head in one position too long contributes to stiffness.
  • Spinal Misalignment: If the spine is out of alignment, so too often is the neck. A dysfunction of a joint in the muscle, ligament or nerves can result in pain.
  • Degenerative conditions like arthritis or disc degeneration can lead to chronic neck pain.

Warning Signs to Note

  • Pain that worsens with movement. This could occur when turning your head, looking up and down or the movements associated with driving. Inflammation may be present, as well as joint dysfunction or muscle strain.
  • Muscles that are overly tight or spasming. The neck muscles may feel hard to the touch, knotted or stiff. A muscle spasm may occur as your body attempts to protect itself from further injury, which can limit mobility.
  • Headaches that originate from the neck, called cervicogenic headaches. They may start from the base of the skull and radiate to the forehead or behind the eyes. This is often a result of poor posture or joint dysfunction near the neck.
  • Limited ability to move your head, turning side to side or tilting forward or backward. This can indicate joint restriction, muscle tightness or underlying issues in the cervical spine.
  • Tingling or numbness, such as a prolonged feeling of parts of your body going to sleep or feeling “static-like” or on “pins and needles.” This can be felt in the arms, hands or fingers, suggesting possible compression of a nerve and pointing to a possible issue beyond musculature that could involve the nervous system.

Chiropractic Care in the Mix

It isn’t advised to rush to a pain pill or painful, expensive surgery. Instead, a licensed chiropractor will identify and care for the root cause of the neck pain through a variety of trusted methods, such as:

  • Chiropractic Adjustments- Restoring your body to its proper alignment to relieve tension and irritation to optimize nerve and movement functions.
  • Postural improvement- Guidance on better sitting, standing and sleeping habits to reduce bodily strain.
  • Therapeutic Exercises that are designed to strengthen muscles supporting the neck and prevent pain.
  • Soft Tissue Therapy- Reduction of muscle tension and inflammation to improve mobility.

Are you interested in a rewarding and invigorating career as a chiropractor? Learn more about Life University’s Doctor of Chiropractic program on our page, or better yet, come visit us at a Life Leadership Weekend!