Our Denver chiropractor, Dr. Todd Williams, D.C., treats a variety of pain conditions but many people correlate chiropractic care with neck pain and low back pain. Neck pain is very general and encompasses a variety of different types and causes of pain.
What Are Typical Neck Pain Symptoms?
- Pinpoint specific pain or diffuse pain that feels very general in location.
- Pain type can range from dull and achy to sharp or stabbing.
- Tightness at various areas in the neck and shoulders.
- Decreased range of motion in the neck with inability to rotate a certain direction or look down or up comfortably.
- Radiating or traveling pain is possible that can extend down spine or limbs.
- Headaches may be present along with the neck pain.
What Causes Neck Pain?
One of the reasons neck pain is so common is because of the cervical spine’s structure and the common activities in our lives. What I mean by this is that any structure in the body that has higher mobility and use increases the chance of injury. This is in addition to most people’s posture or work activities which may include sitting for extended periods, working at a desk and computer, constantly using cellphones and other activities that encourage protruding, or sticking out, the neck forward which increases strain on the neck musculature and joints.
Other Causes:
- Acute Falls or Injuries
- Sports Injuries
- Car Accidents and Whiplash
- Repetitive movement
- Degeneration due to aging or previous injury
- Posture
- Daily Wear and tear
Conservative Treatment Options
First, it is important for a doctor of chiropractic to perform a comprehensive examination of the cervical spine to distinguish what is causing the neck pain. Once a diagnosis is reached, proper treatment protocols can be used to conservatively treat the condition or a referral can be made in specific cases. At Core Family Chiropractic, we utilize a variety of different methods to approach the underlying cause of the pain.
These may be one or a combination of the following:
- Chiropractic adjustments – Manual (by hand) or instrument assisted (for those who do not like rotation or “popping” in the neck.
- Specific soft tissue treatments
- Electrical stimulation
- Physical Therapy
- Activity modification
- Cervical distraction