Neck Pain Q & A

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain most often occurs when the cervical spine – the portion of the spine that's located in your neck – is out of alignment, resulting in disc herniation and inflammation of the muscles and other soft tissues. Pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion can all occur as the result of sports injuries, auto accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, carrying heavy bags or other uneven loads, sleeping on a pillow or mattress that doesn't provide adequate support, and long periods of standing or sitting. Repetitive motions like bending, twisting and lifting can also cause neck pain to occur, as can wear and tear and degenerative diseases like arthritis. Neck pain often spreads to the shoulders, arms and upper back, and it's a very common cause of chronic headaches.

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How does chiropractic help relieve neck pain?

Chiropractic care is focused on helping your spine maintain optimal function, helping to relieve pain and facilitate circulation necessary to keep tissues healthy and to reduce inflammation. By realigning the spine, pressures on spinal discs can be relieved and neural pathways between the brain and the nerves in the cervical spine remain optimised. Chiropractic adjustments may also be combined with deep tissue massage to help relieve deep inflammation in soft tissues and release painful trigger points.

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Is there anything I can do to help prevent neck pain in the first place?

Yes, there are several things you can do to avoid developing painful symptoms in and around your neck. Some important steps include being active, supporting your neck when sitting or lying down, employing ergonomic design principle when positioning your computer screen or keyboard, performing gentle stretching and investing in a good mattress and pillow. Having routine chiropractic adjustments is also important to address spinal alignment issues before they become major problems.