Suffering From Neck Pain in Grand Junction CO?

You know the old saying, “It's a pain in the neck”? Well, when you live with neck pain long enough, you know it's important to find the best chiropractor in Grand Junction CO. Neck pain can make even the simplest of movements involving the neck, head, arms, shoulders, and back excruciatingly difficult. Neck problems can lead to headaches, upper body discomfort, and sore muscles. Immobility resulting from neck pain can cause the muscles to become weak and degenerate over time.

Understanding the root of your neck pain is a necessary step toward acquiring the treatment that will be effective in both short and long-term recovery. The following article looks at the causes of neck pain and explains how Grand Junction CO chiropractic care can be a useful alternative to conventional treatments.

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Neck Pain Relief Options in Grand Junction CO

Although the neck is a relatively small area of the body, it is comprised of some complicated structures that do the important job of holding your head up. The small size of the vertebrae of the neck allows for a lot of mobility, but can also make the neck more vulnerable to injury and pain. Some of the causes of neck pain include:

• Trauma, such as whiplash
• Sleeping position
• Poor posture
• Repetitive stress
• Abnormalities in the bone structure
• Joint issues
• Muscle strains and pulls

Most of these issues are either caused by or impact, the alignment of the spine. When muscles in the neck go into spasm, the spine gets pulled out of alignment. When the spine is misaligned, the nerves become irritated and cause further tension and other systemic problems. Because every nerve in the body has its root in the spinal column, issues that have their source at the neck can have a major impact throughout every other system.

Many people let spinal problems go uncorrected in Grand Junction CO. They hope that if they wait long enough the pain will simply go away. In some cases it will go away, but the misalignment that caused the problem is usually still there. Over time, that area can become aggravated, and the pain can return. If the problem is not corrected it can become much more serious. Some patients let things go to the point where surgery may be the only option.

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What causes my neck pain?

Millions of people have neck pain. There are two main types of pain: those caused by mechanical issues and those that are non-mechanical in nature.

Are there different types of neck pain?

Mechanical causes of neck pain, much like back pain, include working long hours hunched over a desk or computer, as well as repetitive motion and overuse.

• Cervical strain and sprain: Sudden movements such as whiplash that can strain or sprain muscles and ligaments in the necks causing pain and stiffness.
• Cervical disc herniation: The gel-like center of cervical disk can push out of the cartilage that encases them between bones in the spinal column in the neck area and put pressure on nerves creating pain in a variety of locations.
• Cervical Spondylosis: Age-related wear and tear on the spine including bone spurs which can put pressure on nerves causing pain.
• Cervicogenic headaches: Headaches that originate in the neck are usually a symptom of an underlying injury or illness. The pain begins with neck movement and results in a more limited range of motion of the neck.

Non-mechanical causes of neck pain.

Non-mechanical causes of neck pain range from stress to infection.

• Stress: Stress can manifest as muscle tension leading to pain and soreness.
• Inflammatory conditions: Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can affect the joints in the neck causing pain and soreness.
• Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness including in the neck. Researchers believe there may be connections to sleep problems and stress, though the cause of the illness is currently unknown. It frequently follows physical or emotional stress.
• Meningitis: Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and can cause severe neck pain, headaches and fever.

While many causes of neck pain can be resolved with hot/cold therapy, over the counter medications, chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy and myofascial release, there are red flags to be aware of that indicate immediate medical attention may be needed. If you have pain along with any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Severe pain that doesn’t improve
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Fever, chills and confusion
• Numbness or weakness that progresses
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Neck pain following a recent injury

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Conventional vs. Holistic Care

Most commonly, people try to deal with their neck pain using prescription or over-the-counter medications. This may help to relieve the symptoms in the short-term, but not only are patients dealing with side effects, the underlying issue goes unaddressed. Massage Therapy has become more popular over the years and this can help to relieve some muscle tightness. If the issue is in the bones or joints, the problem will remain.

Chiropractic adjustments are a holistic practice that addresses the structural cause that leads to the majority neck pain. Following a thorough chiropractic assessment aimed at ruling out other issues and finding the exact source of the problem, a personalized recovery plan is developed. Gentle adjustments to the spine can bring instant relief and restore long term health to the neck and the entire body. Call our team at Redlands Chiropractic & Wellness Center today to set up a consultation and bring an end to the pain in your neck.