SUFFERING FROM NECK PAIN?

You are not alone if you’re dealing with neck pain in Belleville. Millions of people suffer from neck pain, never getting the care they need. Neck pain is common among adults, but it can occur at any age. In the course of 3 months, about 15% of U.S. adults have neck pain that lasts at least one full day according to Spine-health.

Neck pain can develop suddenly, such as from an injury, or it may develop slowly over time, such as from years of poor posture or wear and tear.  For over one hundred years chiropractors have been helping people with this condition and easing the pain. Dr. Fast and his team are specifically trained to help neck pain and they have very high success rates. Read this article to learn what our team at The Back Pain Clinic can do to help you.

Neck Pain In Belleville

You cannot help someone with neck pain or stiff neck if you do not know where the problem is. The Back Pain Clinic team is trained to use different diagnostic tools to find the source of neck pain, which is helpful when treating this condition. The spine is complex, with many systemic nerves running through it.

Muscles connected to a region of the spine that is misaligned can spasm and tighten. This tightening is a defense mechanism of the body to protect the spine and spinal cord. Bad posture and repetitive motions with a bad posture are the most common cause of misalignments that can happen in the spine.

Many people let spinal problems go uncorrected. They hope that if they wait long enough their neck pain will just go away. In a lot of cases it probably will go away, but the misalignment that caused the problem is still there. Over time that area will often become aggravated again, and the pain will return. Over time without correction, the problem can become much more serious. Some patients get to the point where surgery may be the only option.

COMMON VS. NORMAL

If you have neck pain don’t fall into the common vs. normal trap. The trap insinuates that because so many people have neck pain it must be normal. Neck pain is very common, but it is certainly not normal. This type of reasoning is why we see so many people with problems that can no longer be corrected. You don’t have to become a statistic of neck pain. Take control of the problem before it’s too late.

The first time you’re in our office we will begin with your health history. Dr. Fast needs to understand your condition before he can properly help you. Our hope is that your recovery will be speedy and quick.

Don’t let yourself struggle with neck pain. The team at The Back Pain Clinic in Belleville is here and excited to help you! Call if you have any questions. Today is the day to begin chiropractic care!

Causes of Neck Pain

Your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, so it can be vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes include:

• Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over your computer or smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in bed or gritting your teeth, can strain neck muscles.
• Worn joints. Just like the other joints in your body, your neck joints tend to wear down with age. Osteoarthritis causes the cushions (cartilage) between your bones (vertebrae) to deteriorate. Your body then forms bone spurs that affect joint motion and cause pain.
• Nerve compression. Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord.
• Injuries. Rear-end auto collisions often result in whiplash injury, which occurs when the head is jerked backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck.
• Diseases. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer, can cause neck pain.

Preventing Neck Pain

Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related wear and tear. To help prevent neck pain, keep your head centered over your spine. Some simple changes in your daily routine may help. Consider trying to:

• Use good posture. When standing and sitting, be sure your shoulders are in a straight line over your hips and your ears are directly over your shoulders.
• Take frequent breaks. If you travel long distances or work long hours at your computer, get up, move around and stretch your neck and shoulders.
• Adjust your desk, chair and computer so that the monitor is at eye level. Knees should be slightly lower than hips. Use your chair’s armrests.
• Avoid tucking the phone between your ear and shoulder when you talk. Use a headset or speakerphone instead.
• If you smoke, quit. Smoking can put you at a higher risk of developing neck pain.
• Avoid carrying heavy bags with straps over your shoulder. The weight can strain your neck.
• Sleep in a good position. Your head and neck should be aligned with your body. Use a small pillow under your neck. Try sleeping on your back with your thighs elevated on pillows, which will flatten your spinal muscles.