Neck pain and its many causes

Neck Pain and Chiropractic

Neck pain is a common occurrence that will affect at least 80 percent of us at some point in our lives. The neck is an extension of our spine; hence, it is called the cervical spine. It begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. The main job of the cervical spine is to support the full weight of our head, which weighs on average about 12 pounds. A healthy cervical spine can move your head in nearly every direction.Its flexibility is its strength and its weakness; making the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.

Here are some of the most common causes of neck pain:

1. Injury and accidents

Any forced movement of the head or neck in any direction and the sudden return to the original position is known as whiplash. Whiplash injures the surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head. Severe whiplash can cause injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, muscles, and nerve roots. Whiplash is most commonly associated with car accidents and contact sports.

• Aging

As we age, degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease can affect any part of the spine.These diseases are progressive, resulting in the loss or deterioration of cartilage. Spinal stenosis puts pressure in the nerve passageways, compressing and trapping nerve roots. Stenosis may also cause neck, shoulder, and arm pain or numbness.

• Lifestyle

Poor posture, excessive weight or obesity, and weak supporting muscles often cause the spine to be out of balance or misaligned.People who deal with a lot of stress and/or emotional tension tend to suffer with neck pain and stiffness. If the posture is not corrected, over time, it will contribute to chronic neck pain with symptoms also affecting the upper back and the arms.

Chiropractic Care of Neck Pain

Chiropractic doctors practice holistic and conservative care.In addition their treatment plans never includes the use of painkillers, drugs, or surgery. If your chiropractor diagnoses a condition outside of their scope of practice, such as a neck fracture or of an organic disease, he or she will refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Neck pain care you can count on in Charlotte

If you are suffering from shoulder or neck pain and you are looking for the natural, non-invasive treatment that chiropractic clinics offer, consider one of the top chiropractic clinics in the Charlotte area. In addition to gentle adjustments, you can expect supplemental therapies such as the application of heat or cold, electrical stimulation, diet counseling, or rehabilitative exercise. Every solution is pain free! ChiroCarolina®, one of Charlotte’s top chiropractic centers, is known all over the South east for providing conservative and effective chiropractic care for the uptown, NoDa, and University area- located conveniently off North Tryon Street.