It's not unusual for people to experience neck pain; in fact most people suffer from this type of pain at some point. This type of pain can include a mild, temporary pain, a sharp crick in the neck, a stiff neck or a chronic pain.

This type of pain is more common among women than men. It is not always possible to find the cause of this type of pain. A pain in your neck may be caused by some injury or trauma suffered, by using a computer for extended periods, by sleeping in an uncomfortable or awkward position or by stress.

Other potential causes of a pain in your neck include, strained muscles, worn joints, whiplash, osteoporosis and slipped discs. Those who suffer from neck pains may also feel pain in their back, head, shoulder and arm.

Home Treatment For Neck Pain

A pain in your neck that results from overuse of muscles can often be treated at home by resting those muscles. However, if the pain persists for more than a week or two, seek treatment.

It's also essential to see a medical practitioner immediately if the pain is accompanied by rash, fever and vomiting (which may be signs of meningitis) or if it affects muscle power, balance, vision or hearing (which may be signs of a head injury or severe neck injury).

Neck Pain and Chiropractic Care

When you visit a chiropractor, the chiropractor will attempt to find out the reason for your pain by taking a detailed medical history. This will include questions about previous injuries, accidents or trauma.

In addition, the chiropractor will check for trapped nerves, neck movement, muscular causes and will look in detail at the spine. This may involve palpation of the individual joints along the whole spine to check their range of motion.

The examination may include x-rays, blood tests and MRIs. Once the results are in, the chiropractor makes a diagnosis and recommends treatment. This may include pain medication, rest, hot and cold packs, stretches or chiropractic manipulation.

Not Just Neck Popping

Chiropractic treatment, of pains in the neck, is not just about manipulating the neck joints (commonly called 'neck popping'). Instead, chiropractors take a holistic approach to treatment.

This may include gentle manipulation of the joints, making adjustments, soft tissue manipulation and more specialized therapies.

If you suffer from neck pain and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. John Collins regarding your health, please call us at (403) 243-0111.

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