Neck pain is one of the most common symptoms that lead someone to receive chiropractic care. The neck is an important structure in the human body. Also known as the cervical spine, the neck begins at the base of the skull, and contains seven vertebrae, or spinal bones. The various muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues are sensitive to changes in the body, and can be injured through both traumatic (ie. car accidents, slip and falls, etc) and non-traumatic (ie. poor posture, sleep habits) ways. The flexibility, various ranges of motion, and the weight of your head (on average 12 lbs!), make the cervical spine very susceptible to pain and injury.

Most Common Causes of Neck Pain

• Traumatic Neck Injuries – Traumatic injuries involve a sudden forced movement of the head or neck which in turn generates a rebounding effect in the opposite direction. A common example of a traumatic injury is a whiplash injury as seen in a rear end collision from an auto accident. As the individual is struck from behind, the body is accelerated forward, but quickly restrained from the seat belt. Once the trunk of the body stops, the head continues forward, and the muscles of the neck become injured. The tightening or contracting of the muscles in the neck and upper back are unable to effectively resist the acceleration of the head, and tissue damage occurs. The spasm, pain, weakness, and muscle fatigue which ensues can last for weeks, and sometimes years when not treated appropriately. Similar neck injuries can result from slip and falls, or even weekend activities such as bowling when the body is moving in one direction, but the head and neck are unable to maintain strength during the movement.
• Degenerative Changes Enhance Neck Pain – Everyone grows older, and as we age, our body is more susceptible to degenerative changes. Conditions such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, osteopenia, bone spurs, and bulging discs become more common with age. These degenerative changes can lead to bones no longer being as strong as they once were, and the stability of the neck (and other joints) to rely more on the muscles to maintain proper function. Surprisingly, one does not need to be “old” to experience degenerative changes in the spine. Researchers from Scotland reported, ” Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of the spines of 154 children in northeastern Scotland found that 14 children (9 percent) had abnormalities in at least one of their intervertebral discs – the backbone’s “shock absorber.” Degenerative changes in the neck have an effect on individuals with neck pain.
• Repetitive Micro-Trauma (Non-Traumatic) Neck Pain – Daily life has a compounding effect on neck pain. Obesity, poor posture, weak core muscles, and inefficient sleep hygiene can be contributing factors to neck pain. Chronic neck pain symptoms frequently return over and over again until the underlying imbalance is corrected. Daily activities such as bending over to brush your teeth are sometimes the straw that “breaks the camel’s back” or “strains the patient’s neck.”
• Radiating Neck Pain – Shooting or radiating pain from the neck can be present from any of the three main causes of neck pain. When radiating symptoms are present, it usually means there is a nerve involved. Involved nerves could be located in the spinal cord, such as in the presence of a bulging disc, or may involve a peripheral nerve, such as when someone is experiencing thoracic outlet syndrome. Radiating symptoms are aggressively addressed due to the nature of their symptoms.

Chiropractic Care of Neck Pain

The board certified doctors of chiropractic at Synergy Chiropractic of Houston are trained in the evaluation and treatment of neck pain. During the first visit, a thorough medical history will be performed, followed by an extensive physical exam in order to determine the cause of the neck pain. When necessary, additional imaging studies, such as x-ray or MRI, may be performed in order to further assess the injured neck. As a general rule, when radiating symptoms are present, doctors are more likely to expedite testing in order to ensure that the appropriate care is considered to address the neck pain and radiating symptoms.

Chiropractic Care is Conservative Care

Doctors of chiropractic are conservative care doctors. This means that when possible, chiropractors help patients with neck pain without the use of drugs or surgery. Obviously, in situations that require more aggressive care, such as in the presence of a spinal fracture, tumor, or advanced disc injuries, an appropriate referral to a medical specialist would be appropriate. When appropriate, the chiropractic doctor will incorporate a variety of non-invasive, drug free approaches to help reduce neck pain.

Neck Pain Relief at Synergy Chiropractic of Houston

The board certified doctors at Synergy Chiropractic of Houston are well versed in a variety of chiropractic techniques, including diversified chiropractic adjusting, quantum neurology rehabilitation, applied kinesiology, and instrument assisted mobilization. Additionally, Dr. Reece Hayden is board certified in acupuncture and incorporates acupuncture, cupping, and dry needling with patients in order to help with pain relief. Furthermore, our office incorporates other conservative pain relief modalities such as TENs therapy, rehabilitation and corrective exercises, and intersegmental traction to ensure pain relief.

Synergy Chiropractic of Houston strives to be a resource for our patients and to help with their neck pain relief needs. Through the use of non-surgical, drug free services, we help patients to remain pain free whether their pain is traumatic or non-traumatic in nature. Contact our office today for neck pain relief.