March 22nd, 2022: Dr. Noah Aksu
Neck Pain
"Can we help?"
Neck pain is one of the most common presentation we see at Spinal Health & Co. Chiropractic! 7/10 clients visit our Biloela practice due to neck pain. It is a debilitating pain that ranges from mild to severe; It may be a dragging annoyance in the background, or may even bring on extreme headaches!
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Neck pain may affect those of all age groups. Studies have shown that the numbers of neck pain presentations in clinics are growing rapidly each and every year. In young adults, neck pain may be due to carrying heavy school bags or bad posture. In mature adults, it is common for spinal degeneration and other sinister causes to bring on neck pain.
The human body consists of 7 cervical vertebrae which make up the skeletal system of the neck. Between each vertebrae there are nerves which exits and follow through into both local and distal musculature(s). Neck pain may be caused by both muscles and/or bones. Spinal dysfunctions and misalignments exert pressure onto nerves which in turn causes a reaction in the muscles. Some common causes of neck pain include:
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Poor posture (standing and sitting)
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Sleeping positions; incorrect pillow height
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Build up of tension due to stress
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Long hours of studying without breaks
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Neck injuries Injuries; muscle strain or whiplash
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Prolonged desk work
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Wear and tear in the bones and joints of the neck
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Self “cracking”
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Jerking your neck while doing exercise
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Trigger points
What are the common causes of neck pain?
Other causes of neck pain ?
Besides from the more likely causes of neck pain, there are also other causes which may involve a pathological aspect.
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Cervical degenerative disc disease​​​
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Heart attack
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Fibromyalgia
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Abscess
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Low blood mineral levels
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Damage to the vertebrae, spinal cord or nerves in the neck
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Compressed nerve
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Infection(s)
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Osteoporosis
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Cancer
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Meningitis
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Neck pain when left untreated may exacerbate and cause headaches. Cervicogenic headaches are caused by musculoskeletal issues in the neck. Tension headaches and migraines are other common headaches which may develop due to neck pain.
In worse cases, numbness and tingling down the arms as well as pain and instability of the shoulders may develop (depending on underlying cause).
Related conditions
What should you do?
When neck pain occurs, it is always best to seek medical advice and care as early as possible when signs and symptoms do occur so that the nature of what is causing the neck pain can be investigated and identified. Some conditions that cause neck pain, if left untreated for a prolonged period of time, will cause more and more harm and pathology to occur, accompanied with worsening of signs and symptoms. Seeking medical advice and treatment when signs and symptoms first present can save you lots of money and time if you tackle it early on, rather than leaving it to get worse, which will require more prolonged treatment, which will end up costing you more time, stress, and money.
How can Chiropractic care help?
Chiropractic care has been proven to be an effective modality to help with neck and back pain of different causes. Depending on your condition, a qualified chiropractor may perform specific Chiropractic manual adjustments which aim to improve mobility and reduce pain. Massage therapy and muscle rehabilitation may also incorporated into your “Get Well” program to help maximise your body’s healing potential.
When seeing one of our chiropractors at Spinal Health & Co. Chiropractic, we will digitally analyse your posture from head to toe. The posture screening process will allow the chiropractor(s) to identify musculoskeletal imbalances and compensations present. Chiropractic manual adjustments, soft tissue therapy as well as muscle rehabilitative exercise may be used solely or in conjunction to address and rectify these imbalances.
