Neck Pain

What does neck pain feel like?

Neck pain can feel different from one person to the next, and also from one occurrence to the next. A common complaint is a dull aching sensation that worsens when you turn your head. Other neck pain symptoms include:

• Tenderness
• Tingling
• Sharp, shooting pain
• Numbness

Some sufferers report a sensation of pulsation or fullness in their neck. For others, problems swallowing or swishing sounds during neck movement are causes for concern. 

What causes neck pain?

When you think about the complexity of the human neck, it’s a wonder neck pain isn’t more common. Your neck not only supports the weight of your head, but it also enables head movement and serves as the housing for your spinal cord. 

Your neck contains a network of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, connective tissues, and other tissue types. If a problem occurs with any of these components, significant pain can follow.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

The right treatment path depends on an accurate diagnosis, which is an area where Align Healing Center excels. That process begins with a discussion of your symptoms and health history. 

Next, a hands-on exam allows your practitioner to understand the mechanics of your neck and where issues of concern lie. Palpation helps identify areas of tenderness and examining your neck function while at rest and in motion also plays a role in the process. You might also need X-ray imaging to learn more about your skeletal structure. 

What can be done to treat neck pain?

Chiropractic care at Align Healing Center can do wonders for treating neck pain. Your practitioner can resolve spinal abnormalities through a hands-on application of carefully controlled force. 

If you associate chiropractic neck treatment with the aggressive head thrusting and loud cracking noise you’ve seen in countless movies, you may be surprised to learn that most neck treatment is a far gentler process. Your practitioner manipulates the muscles and joints within your neck to achieve optimal alignment and reduce undue pressure on your nervous system. 

Cervical decompression can also help treat neck pain. This approach gently stretches your cervical spine, which can take pressure off your spinal discs and improve the flow of oxygen, water, and nutrients into the discs to boost healing. 

Coupling cervical decompression with laser therapy can allow for quicker pain relief. While decompression therapy releases and opens the flow for water, oxygen, and nutrients to enter the affected area, laser therapy provides the cells with the necessary boost to retain the water and nutrients, providing healing at a quicker pace. 

When you’re ready to explore these and other treatment options for neck pain, book an appointment at Align Healing Center, online, or over the phone.