When Should You See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain?

Many Americans suffer from neck pains due to a stressful lifestyle, long working hours, or improper sleeping positions. Most people consider it normal to experience neck pains since the pain tends to go away on its own eventually.

However, chronic neck pain can affect the way you perform your tasks and the way you live your life. You do not have to wait until your neck pain becomes “bad enough” to see a chiropractor. Research shows that nearly 50 percent of people who experience neck pain suffer from frequent occurrences.

If you are one of these people, that may be an indication you suffer from underlying conditions such as disc problems, stress, subluxations, or poor posture. You need to consult a chiropractor to help identify the root cause of your persistent neck pain to get durable solutions.

Signs You Should See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain

If you experience any of the following signs, it is time to book an appointment with a chiropractor:

• If your neck pain is persistent.
• If you feel a sustained or sharp pain every time you move your neck.
• If you rely on pain medication to get through your day.
• If you suspect you have a more serious underlying problem that is causing your neck pain.
• If you experience numbness in your hands, wrists, or shoulders.
• If you have had an accident, either from playing contact sports or a car accident, resulting in neck pain.
• If you experience chronic neck pain in the morning, the pain subsides as you go through your day.
• If you experience regular headaches or chronic back pain.

Chiropractic Care to Manage Neck Pain

During your first visit to a qualified chiropractor, they will look at your medical history, paying special attention to your spine health. Also, they will perform a physical exam and check your bone density. This information helps the chiropractor determine the type of treatment to administer to achieve long-lasting solutions.

During the treatment, the chiropractor will normally use their hands to apply gentle pressure on the affected parts of your body to provide relief from your neck pain. Not all patients receive the same treatment.

If you have lower levels of bone density, your chiropractor will recommend gentler treatments. The recommended treatments for neck pain include therapeutic exercises, muscle stimulation, muscle release techniques, joint mobilization, and spinal adjustments.

How to Prevent Neck Pain in the Future

Keep moving: If your job involves sitting or standing in one position for too long, ensure you take regular breaks. Walk around every time you get the chance or do simple exercises to help stretch your muscles and joints.

Chin tucks: This is a simple exercise you can do at home. Stand in a neutral posture and pull your chin back. You can also do it lying down by pressing your head into a pillow to create a double chin.

Stretch: Perform simple stretching exercises to decrease pressure on the muscles associated with neck pain. Stand or sit in a relaxed position and bring your left ear to your left shoulder. Do the same on the other side. You can also try tilting your head forward as far as you can and then stretch your hands forward and hold them in place for like 10 seconds.

For more on seeing a chiropractor for neck pain, visit Knecht Chiropractic Center at our office in Sanford, North Carolina. You can also call (919) 629-0400 to book an appointment today.