Neck Pain Q&A

What is neck pain?

Your neck (cervical spine) goes from the base of your skull down to your shoulders. It consists of seven vertebrae that support your head and enables you to move it in multiple directions.

Neck pain is common because the cervical vertebrae work hard and have less protection than the rest of your spine.

What causes neck pain?

Common causes of neck pain include:

Injuries

Falls, blows to the head, accidents at work, or playing sports are all common causes of neck pain. Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries, where your head moves violently forward and back. This movement stretches and sometimes tears the connective tissues in your neck, causing stiffness and pain.

Repetitive movement

If you repeatedly move your neck in the same way for long periods, it can cause irritation that leads to inflammation and pain.

Aging and wear-and-tear

The discs that support and protect your vertebrae get flatter and drier (degenerative disc disease) as you age. This increases your risk of disc herniations, where the soft core of a disc pushes through a weak area in the outer shell.

Cervical spinal stenosis is another common problem caused by age-related changes that make the spinal canal narrower. Osteoarthritis, which can lead to bone spur development and spinal stenosis, occurs after many years of joint use.

Poor posture

Poor posture often causes problems like a sore or cricked neck.

Subluxations

Subluxations are spinal misalignments. They can occur because of an accident or age-related spinal degeneration that pushes the vertebra out of its proper position.

These conditions frequently lead to cervical radiculopathy — pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness that goes down your arms because of a trapped nerve in your neck.

How is neck pain treated?

The Spine Care of Manassas Chiropractic Center team uses several different treatments for neck pain, typically starting with cervical manipulation. Chiropractic techniques consist of hands-on adjustments and those made with specialized instruments. Other potential treatments for neck pain include:

• Ice packs
• Heat therapy
• Low-level laser therapy
• Massage therapy
• Trigger point release
• Spinal decompression
• Electrotherapy
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Physical therapy
• Postural rehabilitation

Good posture is vital for preventing neck pain. Spine Care of Manassas Chiropractic Center’s Dr. German is a certified postural neurologist with considerable expertise in correcting poor posture.

To find out how you can get relief from neck pain, call Spine Care of Manassas Chiropractic Center today or book an appointment online.