Neck Pain
Minor neck aches, pain, and stiffness are something people experience from time to time.
The Biomechanics of Neck Pain
The seven cervical vertebrae (also known as spinal bones)
in the neck have highly movable joints, allowing you to bend your head forward, backward and rotate as necessary. Because of its extreme flexibility, the neck tends to easily get injured and have pain.
Your neck is the vital passageway that lets your brain communicate with the rest of your body. Even minor injuries can easily cause damage to the supporting muscles, tendons, ligaments and vertebrae of the neck. If left untreated, this can cause major disruption. So a simple injury left untreated can become more than a pain in the neck.
Persistent Neck Pain
Persistent aches, pains, and stiffness in the neck are often symptoms of a serious problem. In fact, repeated incidents of stiff neck often indicate the early stages of joint or disc degeneration.
If these underlying complications are left untreated, they can lead to permanent damage to the neck and a lifetime of constant pain.
Is My Neck Pain Serious?
Often the symptoms can tell a lot about the underlying causes of neck pain. For instance:
- A neck that is relatively pain-free in the morning and deteriorates as the day goes on commonly indicates strain, fatigue, or muscular weakness.
- A neck that is stiff and painful in the morning and feels better as the day goes on may indicate underlying disease such as arthritis.
- Neck pain that is aggravated by coughing or sneezing may indicate disc involvement.
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or pain that develops when the head is turned or elevated is an indication of a neck problem.
Is It More Than Just a Pain In The Neck?
The following assessment can help gauge the severity of neck pain. Check any of the symptoms that you have experienced or are currently experiencing.
- Recurring stiff neck
- Constant pain in the neck, face, ears, or scalp
- Recurring pain in the shoulder or arm
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or fingers
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pains
- Dizziness
If you checked any of the above, you may have the symptoms of a serious neck problem. Call our office to schedule a consultation before the symptoms get any worse.
5 Easy Ways To Prevent Common Neck Pains in Longmont
- Don’t sleep on your stomach. This can cause harmful stretching and twisting of the neck muscles.
- Don’t sleep on a stack of several pillows. Doing so will put stress on the upper back and neck.
- Don’t watch television or read while lying down. This can contort the neck. Always sit upright.
- Take frequent breaks or change positions when doing work that requires you to bend your neck downward or face the same direction for a long period.
- Avoid purses or bags with shoulder straps. The weight can pull on the neck and disturb the nerves that support the shoulders, arms, and hands. Instead, tie a knot in the shoulder strap and carry the purse or bag in your hand.
Neck pain can be serious. If left untreated, the underlying problem can get worse. At Left Hand Chiropractic Center, we get you back to enjoying the things you want to do as quickly as possible. Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our board certified chiropractic experts today!