Neck pain and stiffness is exceedingly common. Approximately 20% of adults experience neck pain. The symptoms can range from neck discomfort with tightness to sharp neck pain with immobility. Neck pain chiropractors often see patients after a case of mild neck discomfort is exacerbated with injury and becomes sharp and painful.
What Causes Neck Pain?
There are many causes of neck pain that your chiropractor will need to investigate. Injuries occur either rapidly or gradually over time and materialise in the bones, discs, ligaments, joints and muscles around the neck. There are many factors that contribute to neck pain such as arthritis, scoliosis, back stiffness, fitness, age, nature of work and genetics.
What treatments can be delivered by a chiropractor for neck pain?
Chiropractic treatments will vary depending on the specific source and the underlying causes of your neck pain. A neck pain chiropractor will use many treatment techniques including; mobility techniques, targeted massage, stretching, chiropractic adjustments (manipulation), dry needling (acupuncture) and rehabilitation exercises. The treatment techniques utilised for each patient is chosen based on the individual patient’s condition and preferences. These techniques have been shown to be effective in reducing neck pain by scientifically controlled trials and are recommended by international clinical practice guidelines.
Other symptoms can include:
- Headaches
- Muscle tightness
- Upper back discomfort
- Pain into the shoulder and down the arm
- Pins and needles or numbness in the arm or hand
- Muscle weakness in the arm or hand
