Neck Pain
Neck pain is the second most common reason people come to us, 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.
If you were injured in a car accident, crash injuries follow a different pattern and we document them for your claim. See our page on neck pain after a car accident.
Where neck pain comes from
The neck carries the weight of the head and moves in more directions than any other part of the spine. The most common sources we see are joints that have stiffened up and lost their normal range of motion, muscles 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: 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.
How we treat it
Chiropractic adjustment.
Restoring motion to the stuck joints of the cervical spine takes 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 effective for neck pain and the tension headaches that come with it. It calms the nervous system, releases muscle tension 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 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 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 takes pressure off the disc and the nerve root. Read more about spinal decompression.
What to expect
Most straightforward neck pain responds well within a few visits. Posture-related cases improve faster when the patient also makes some changes at their workstation or 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, since they are frequently driven by the same tight muscles and restricted joints in the upper cervical spine.
Common questions
Can you 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 pressing 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 address tech neck at home?
Raising your screen to eye level, taking regular breaks from looking down, and doing some cervical retraction exercises all help. We show you specific exercises at the office that match what your neck needs.
If your neck pain came from a car accident, see our free Accident Injury Recovery and Claim Workbook and our page on neck pain after a car accident.
Related: Headaches and migraines, herniated disc, tech neck and posture
Serving Mooresville and the Lake Norman area, including Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, and Statesville.
Schedule an appointment or call 704-663-2010.
