A stiff neck can be a debilitating condition, preventing you from participating in daily activities and causing extreme discomfort. While neck pain can often resolve on its own, persistent neck pain can make it difficult to even get out of bed in the morning and perform everyday tasks. Stiff necks are a common problem, affecting about 10% of the population at any given time, and are typically caused by overuse, improper posture, or injury.
Chiropractic care has emerged as a popular and effective treatment for relieving a stiff neck and as a noninvasive therapy for persistent neck pain. Here, we will explore the causes of neck pain and how chiropractors can effectively diagnose and treat them.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
Neck pain can be extremely bothersome and uncomfortable. While there may be some days that you feel like you just woke up with a stiff neck for no reason, getting down to the root cause can help you make the necessary adjustments so that it doesn’t happen again, and so you can seek adequate help to avoid persistent pain. Common causes of neck pain include:
Muscle strain: Overuse, poor posture, or sudden movements can cause muscle tension in the neck and cause stiffness. When you wake up with a stiff neck, poor sleeping posture, muscle spasms, and tension are often the cause. A stiff neck in the morning is the most common form of neck pain. Though it can resolve itself in a day, continuous stiffness can be concerning.
Whiplash: Sudden whipping of the neck and head can cause damage to the neck muscles and ligaments. Whiplash typically occurs as a result of car accidents and can adversely affect your body’s central nervous system.
Pinched nerves: Inflammation and tension in the neck muscles can often compress nerves in the neck, causing pain, numbness, and stiffness.
Aging: Age-related wear and tear can often wear down the ligaments and muscles that support the neck, causing stiffness and pain. Older people are likely to experience neck pain due to arthritis and inflammation.
Addressing Pain With Chiropractic Care
Unlike the average primary care physician, chiropractors address musculoskeletal issues and facilitate healing and recovery. By focusing on the spine’s relationship to the nervous system, chiropractors utilize spinal adjustments and muscle therapies to relieve patients’ necks, spines, and joints. Chiropractors believe these spinal misalignments, known as subluxations, can potentially interfere with nerve function and cause pain and stiffness.
Spinal adjustments are a cornerstone of chiropractic care and involve precise, controlled movements to bring the spine back into alignment. By addressing these subluxations, chiropractors aim to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore normal nerve function. This, combined with massage and soft tissue therapy, can help to relax tense muscles, reduce inflammation, and promote blood flow to the neck area, reducing stiffness and aiding recovery.
In other instances where poor ergonomic conditions cause long-term neck pain, chiropractors can offer guidance for maintaining proper posture and providing exercises and stretches that help reduce pain and stiffness.
When to See a Chiropractor for a Stiff Neck
While many common cases of stiff necks resolve themselves on their own, you may want to consult a chiropractor if stiffness and neck pain do not resolve themselves or are caused by an event or injury. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is advised that you consult a chiropractor as well as your primary care physician:
- Severe or persistent pain
- Pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness
- No relief from Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or pain relievers
In rare instances, a stiff neck can be a symptom of a much larger illness or disease. Suppose you have been in contact with someone infected with meningitis or are experiencing seizures, fever, vomiting, or confusion. In that case, it is advised that you visit an emergency clinic and contact your primary care provider before seeking chiropractic care.
Choosing a Chiropractor
As the head and neck areas serve as a hub for most nervous system functions, it is essential to find a qualified and licensed chiropractor to meet your needs. Look for a practitioner with experience treating neck pain, and clearly communicate your concerns and medical history with your chiropractor.
While chiropractic care is an efficient treatment for neck pain and stiffness, it is also important to remember that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Addressing the underlying problem with your chiropractor can help you uncover the root causes of pain and target treatments for pain relief. The best chiropractors tailor their treatment plans to your needs and can offer suggestions for ways to supplement chiropractic care. Your chiropractor may suggest combining chiropractic care with other forms of treatment, such as:
Physical therapy: Exercises and stretches can often complement chiropractic care by strengthening neck muscles and improving flexibility. Gentle movement and light exercises such as head tiles or shoulder rolls can get your blood flowing and reduce inflammation.
Hot and cold therapy: Applying ice or heat packs to the neck can help to manage pain and inflammation, allowing neck muscles to relax and better receive treatment.
Posture correction: Chiropractors can suggest ergonomic at-home practices to relieve and prevent neck pain. Chiropractors often recommend ergonomic adjustments such as sleep wedges, adjustable computer screen stands, and posture-correcting braces to promote healthy lifestyle changes at home.
Relieve Your Pain with Denver Integrated Spine Center
Chiropractic care has emerged as a promising and practical approach to relieving neck pain and stiffness. From poor sleeping positions to addressing neck pain from car accident whiplash, chiropractic care offers a holistic and non-invasive approach to pain relief.
Denver Integrated Spine Center offers full-service chiropractic care in the Denver Metro area. Using a series of manual adjustments and body-aligning strategies, our chiropractors strive to restore your body’s natural positioning and relieve any pain points. Don’t let neck pain control your life. Experience the relief that chiropractic care can offer. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment and take the first step towards a pain-free neck.