Neck pain has become more common lately due to remote workstations (sitting on your sofa with a laptop is not a workstation, yet it is a new norm), consistent scrolling on handheld devices, steadily growing technology use, and an uptick in stress levels.
Combine those things with all the usual reasons for neck pain, such as poor posture, a sedentary lifestyle, and improper lifting techniques, and almost everyone at any age can experience neck pain.
The good news is that chiropractic techniques offer safe and effective solutions for neck discomfort and injuries.
This article will answer the following:
- Why does my neck hurt?
- What injuries cause neck pain?
- Are there natural at-home remedies for neck pain?
- Can chiropractic care heal neck injuries?
- And more
If neck discomfort is affecting your quality of life, this post will give you some valuable insight into managing it.
Reasons for Neck Pain
Neck pain can affect anyone, both inactive and highly active people, at any age. From professional gamers to desk workers to weightlifters, neck injuries run the gamut, ranging in severity. Some lose range of motion and flexibility, others complain of a stiff neck after extended periods of sitting, and some suffer from radiating and consistent neck aches.
Whatever the reason, your local chiropractor can help you.
Reasons for neck pain include:
- Poor posture
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Athletic or sports injury
- Work-related injury
- Overuse or repetitive use
- Trauma such as a car accident or slip and fall
- Regular wear and tear or aging
- And others
These habitual patterns or events may lead to injuries or conditions that can cause chronic pain if not properly treated.
Common injuries that cause neck discomfort include:
- Whiplash
- Disc herniation or other spinal disc injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Inflammation
- Scar tissue
- Arthritis
- And others
Chiropractic not only helps people feel better by removing restrictions and encouraging function, strength, and flexibility, but it also offers lifestyle, posture, and movement guidance so you can learn how to give your body the support it needs to support you.
Tips to Safely Treat Neck Pain At Home
If you want to give your neck natural benefits that lend to the healing process, these at-home tips can help relieve pain quickly and contribute to your recovery.
Apply ice and heat
Applying ice to your neck injury will reduce swelling and inflammation that can cause pain and restrict correct movement patterns.
Once inflammation is controlled, heat will encourage the flow of oxygen, nutrients, and blood to the injury, providing natural healing properties as pressures are reduced, and relaxation is nurtured.
Rest and support the neck
Your neck is almost always working, supporting the weight of your head. It’s important to rest the neck’s soft tissues and spine when in pain so they have time to recover. Using a U pillow
while sitting and the proper pillows to sleep on will give your neck support, allowing it to get adequate rest.
If specific movement patterns cause neck pain, discontinue those movements or use a neck rest or other form of support to give your neck the break it needs.
Correct your posture
Poor posture is one of the most common reasons we experience neck discomforts and injuries that cause neck pain. Part of the spine resides in the neck (this portion is called the cervical spine), so even disc dysfunction in a lower part of the spine can affect the neck due to connectivity and compensation.
Ensuring you use the correct posture, whether sitting, standing, and physically active, will aid in your back and neck health, reducing pressures and restrictions.
Exercise and stretch
Typically, the stronger the neck muscles are, the better able they can support the demands placed on them. Proactive exercise and stretching can keep your neck strong and flexible, deterring injury.
However, if you currently suffer from neck pain, implementing gentle back, core, and neck exercises and stretches garner movement that encourages less downtime and better function. Exercise and stretching also feel good and release mood-altering chemicals that make you feel better overall.
Massage
Massage is a great way to remove pressure from the neck’s tissues and promote healthy circulation and relaxation. Stress is known to build up physically in the neck; massage garners comfort both mentally and physically, providing comfort.
Visit MVMT Chiropractic for Neck Pain Care
Chiropractic solutions are safe and non-invasive, supporting a well-functioning neck and body. Our team will determine the reason for your neck discomfort and remedy the condition, reducing the likelihood of re-injury or heightened pain.
Our common chiropractic neck pain treatments include:
Contact one of our Houston area chiropractic clinics, River Oaks or Memorial, today, and let’s get your neck pain controlled so you can live pain-free and get back to doing the things you love.