If so, you are not alone. Did you know that 10-15% of the US population suffers from neck pain at any given moment? Neck pain is the 3rd leading cause of chronic pain in the U.S. Neck pain is a common issue we see in our office. Check out the information below to find out the main causes of neck pain and some things you can do to feel better.
There are 3 main causes of neck pain.
- Physical trauma such as car accidents, sports injuries, slips and falls. Physical trauma can damage the muscles, tendons and ligaments in your neck which can cause neck pain.
- Repetitive stresses. Overworking the muscles, especially repeated unilateral (one-sided) stresses such as a mail carrier carrying their satchel on one shoulder or someone carrying a computer bag or suitcase can cause neck pain. These behaviors can stress one side of the neck more than the other which can lead to muscle imbalances that contribute to chronic neck pain. Another frequent repetitive stress is if your computer monitor is placed off to one side or if you are spending time cradling your phone between your shoulder and your ear. Prolonged use of tablets, computers, and cell phones in which we have a forward down-tilting position is a frequent culprit of neck pain. These types of stresses over time can lead to very significant neck pain. Another repetitive stress is sleeping, especially if you are a stomach sleeper. If you sleep on your stomach, you need to turn your head to breathe. That repeated prolonged stress can irritate the muscles and ligaments and cause problems.
- One or more Subluxations, which is are misalignments in your neck or your back. When a subluxation occurs, the bone is misaligned and irritates the nerve which can result in pain. It is very important to see a chiropractor to determine the cause of your neck pain. There may be underlying issues that need to be addressed with a combination of chiropractic care and rehabilitation.
One or more Subluxations, which is are misalignments in your neck or your back. When a subluxation occurs, the bone is misaligned and irritates the nerve which can result in pain. It is very important to see a chiropractor to determine the cause of your neck pain. There may be underlying issues that need to be addressed with a combination of chiropractic care and rehabilitation.
What are some things you can do to help your neck pain?
- Take frequent breaks from desk/computer/cell phone/driving or anything where your neck is held in one position for prolonged periods of time, especially if you are looking down. Get a headset to use if you are on the telephone frequently. Take frequent breaks and do some neck stretches during this time. Here are some great neck stretches to help with neck pain and stiffness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR94W0qyA0A&t=6s
- Check your posture. It is very important that your shoulders are pulled back and your head is balanced above of them. For every degree that your head goes forward, more stress is placed on the muscles and ligaments in the back part of your neck.
- Get a proper pillow to support your neck while you sleep. Your pillow should not push your head forward if you’re lying on your back. It should not be too thick or too thin when you are lying on your side, causing you to bend your neck to one side or the other. Dr. David Iszler recommends sleeping on a proper neck support pillow such as the 4-in-1 Pillo-Pedic pillow that we carry in our office. This pillow reinforces the normal curve in your neck when you are sleeping on your back and holds your head in line with your upper back while you are sleeping on your side.
- Go see a good chiropractor who will do a thorough exam, X-rays (if needed) and develop a plan for you to correct the misalignments and correct any underlying issues that may be contributing to your neck pain. While getting adjusted on occasion may give you some temporary pain relief, it is not likely to correct your problem.
Go see a good chiropractor who will do a thorough exam, X-rays (if needed) and develop a plan for you to correct the misalignments and correct any underlying issues that may be contributing to your neck pain. While getting adjusted on occasion may give you some temporary pain relief, it is not likely to correct your problem.
If you are suffering from neck pain, we can help. Don’t wait. Call us at (602) 603-5444 to schedule your initial consultation.
