Neck Pain Treatment in Mooresville, NC
Neck pain is the second most common thing people come to us for, after low back pain. A lot of it is posture-related, hours at a desk, looking down at a phone, sleeping in a position the neck did not appreciate. Some of it comes from an old injury, a car accident years ago that left the neck stiff and never fully settled. Some of it comes on gradually with no clear cause at all. Whatever started it, if it has been there more than a few days and is not improving on its own, it is worth getting looked at.
Injured in a car accident? Crash injuries follow a different pattern and are documented for your claim. See Neck Pain After a Car Accident in Mooresville.
The source of the pain
The neck carries the weight of the head and moves in more directions than any other part of the spine. That makes it vulnerable. The most common sources of neck pain we see are joints that have stiffened up and lost their normal range of motion, muscles that are locked in tension from sustained poor posture, and discs that are under pressure or have started to degenerate. When a disc or bone spur puts pressure on a nerve in the neck, pain, numbness, or tingling can run down into the shoulder, arm, or hand. That is called cervical radiculopathy, and it is different from pain that stays in the neck.
Tech neck is a specific pattern we see a lot now: forward head posture from looking at screens, where the head drifts forward of the shoulders and the muscles at the back of the neck are under constant strain. Over time this changes the curve of the cervical spine and puts more pressure on the discs.
Treatment
Chiropractic adjustment. Restoring motion to the stuck joints of the cervical spine takes the pressure off the surrounding muscles and nerves. We use several techniques for the neck, including low-force instrument adjusting for people who prefer a gentler approach, and manual adjustment for those who tolerate it well. Read more about chiropractic care.
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is very effective for neck pain and tension headaches that come with it. It calms the nervous system, releases the muscle tension that has built up around the problem, and helps the area recover faster. Many patients combine it with adjusting and notice better results than with either alone. We offer a significant discount when you combine services. Read more about acupuncture.
Dry needling. For stubborn trigger points in the neck and upper shoulders, dry needling releases the tight bands of tissue that are holding the area in tension and referring pain into the head or arm. Read more about dry needling.
Spinal decompression. For disc-related neck pain or cervical radiculopathy, decompression can take pressure off the disc and the nerve root. Read more about spinal decompression.
The course of care
Most straightforward neck pain responds well within a few visits. Posture-related cases improve faster when the patient also makes some changes at work or to their sleep setup, and we will talk through what those look like for you. Disc-related or radicular cases take longer, and we set realistic expectations at the first visit.
Headaches that come with neck pain often improve at the same rate as the neck itself, since they are frequently driven by the same tight muscles and restricted joints in the upper cervical spine.
Common questions
Can a chiropractor help with neck pain from an old car accident?
Yes. Whiplash injuries often leave the neck with restricted motion and chronic muscle tension that does not fully resolve on its own. We work with both recent and old injuries.
My pain goes into my arm. Is that a neck problem?
Often yes. Nerve pain that runs into the shoulder, arm, or hand usually comes from the neck, where a disc or joint is putting pressure on a nerve root. We assess this at the exam and explain what we find.
Is it safe to have my neck adjusted?
Yes, when done by a trained practitioner who has examined you first. We always assess range of motion and history before adjusting the neck, and we offer low-force alternatives for patients who prefer them.
How do I fix tech neck at home?
Raising your screen to eye level, taking regular breaks from looking down, and doing some simple cervical retraction exercises help. We show you specific exercises at the office that match what your neck needs.
Related conditions: Headaches and Migraines | Herniated Disc
Serving Mooresville and the Lake Norman area, including Davidson and Huntersville.
Schedule an appointment or call 704-663-2010.
