Focus on chiropractic: Neck pain basics!

While injury and spinal conditions can cause a broad range of symptoms, some of the most common are ones that affect the neck. In fact, millions of people experience neck pain each year from a variety of causes, and it’s been shown that 45% of people in the workforce will experience the condition at some point. And while it’s true that most cases of neck pain will end up resolving themselves, some can turn into severe or chronic conditions that require the help of a spinal professional. Here’s a breakdown of common conditions, symptoms and treatments that may cause neck pain—for more info, visit spine-health.com’s Neck Pain Database.

Acute neck pain is the most common type, and may be caused by muscle strain or soft tissue sprain, usually as a result of strenuous activity, discomfort, or lifting heavy objects. Sudden trauma—sports injuries, automobile accidents, etc.—can also cause the condition, which usually results in stiffness, pain and difficulty rotating the neck. Often this type of pain will resolve itself within a few days, and a short period of rest is recommended; more severe pain, however, can be dealt with by applying heat and ice packs, use of over-the-counter pain medications, and through the help of a doctor of chiropractic or health professional.

Chronic neck pain is less common than the acute type, but its symptoms can range from moderate to severe and may point to other underlying conditions that should be looked into. For instance, structural problems like herniated discs or degenerative disc disease (conditions which affect the spongy discs that separate the vertebrae in our spine) as well as osteoarthritis (a chronic joint inflammation, usually experienced by older patients) can cause chronic neck pain which may be triggered by certain positions or activities. Treatments for these ailments include the same options that are used for acute pain, but may also involve adjustments to behavior and lifestyle, possibly including physical therapy as well as aerobic, strengthening and stretching exercises. Above all, treatments should be worked out with the help of a spinal professional, who can help tailor a treatment plan that’s right for you.

One of the most common neck injuries encountered by chiropractors is whiplash, a condition where the neck is forced to move beyond its normal range of motion—usually as the result of an automobile accident, specifically a rear-impact collision. Whiplash symptoms usually include neck pain, stiffness and tenderness but can also involve headaches, dizziness, fatigue and even pain in the arm or mild concussion. Of course, medical care should be sought out immediately after any accident to determine the severity of injuries, but in many cases whiplash-type injuries will subside over time with rest, gentle stretching, and other basic treatments. Other times chiropractic techniques like joint manipulation and mobilization may be called for to help improve the prognosis and avoid long-term symptoms.

Unfortunately, chronic pain is a fact of life for millions of Americans, and between normal wear-and-tear, workplace injuries and auto accidents, there are plenty of chances to develop spinal injuries or pain conditions. And while some of these causes can’t be predicted or prevented, there are luckily plenty of treatment options out there for reducing symptoms and improving long-term results. Whether from low-impact treatments like pain medication and bed rest or more involved options like physical therapy, exercise and chiropractic manipulation, patients can expect to make excellent recoveries and quickly return to normal life.