Neck pain

Neck Pain Q&A

What is neck pain?

The neck is a major part of the nervous system--it connects the brain to the rest of the body (muscles, ligaments, joints and all other organs of the body) through the spinal cord, nerve root, nerves and the rest of the nervous system. The neck consists of many soft tissues including vertebrae, muscles, ligaments, capsule, discs, joints. These tissues support head mobility and stability. Other tissues connect the head, the central nervous system, vascular supply, and the rest of the body. The subconscious brain is nourished by a pair of canals inside the vertebrae of the neck.

Neck pain is a condition in which your neck feels uncomfortable because of a disease, injury, or age-related wear. Any damage to the function of the neck can have a major effect on the rest of the body, and must be treated immediately. Treatment with Dr. Gailes can reduce discomfort, lower the risk of reinjury, maximize your quality of life, and prevent serious dysfunction in the rest of the body.

What are symptoms of neck pain?

If you have a neck injury or disease that affects your neck joints, you might experience:

• Dull, aching pain
• Sharp discomfort
• Shooting discomfort
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Stiffness in the neck
• Decreased range of motion
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Cervical Pain

What are the risk factors for neck pain?

Disease - Meningitis, arthritis, and cancer are examples of disease that may cause neck pain.

Trauma - Neck pain is often caused by injury like a work injury, car accident, a fall, or an incorrect sleeping position.

Injury - A whiplash injury is a common cause of neck pain, and usually is experienced in a car accident. During an accident the head is quickly thrown backward and then forward. This motion can injure bones, disks ligaments, muscles, nerves and other tissues of the neck.

Degenerative Conditions - Aging causes neck tissue to degenerate in time, resulting in severe pain. Another common cause of pain is a result of the degeneration of a cervical intervertebral disc.

Lifestyle - Simple lifestyle choices and actions like holding a cell phone, poor ergonomics, poor nutrition, poor posture, or leaning over a computer can all lead to neck strain and pain.

Other common causes of neck pain include:

• Neck Strain
• Neck Sprain
• Pinched Nerve in Neck (Neck Muscle Pull)
• Whiplash Injury
• Narrowed spinal canal
• Osteoporosis
• Cervical spondylosis
• Lack of physical activity
• Playing contact sports
• Lifting something heavy

How does my chiropractor diagnose the cause of neck pain?

Because neck problems can manifest themselves elsewhere, it is essential to pinpoint the precise cause of neck pain prior to treatment. Dr. Gailes works with you to find the root cause of neck pain by discussing your symptoms and medical history. She completes a physical examination to assess your overall health and wellness, evaluating your neck, back, and spine.

Dr. Gailes may recommend undergoing X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or other imaging procedures to pinpoint the cause of neck discomfort and personalize a treatment that’s best for you.

What are common treatments for neck pain?

Dr. Gailes may recommend chiropractic adjustments along with other techniques, such as laser therapy, corrective rehabilitative exercises, and neuromuscular stimulation to achieve the best results. She lets you know which exercises and stretches to complete at home between visits. Based on severity or cause of pain, the doctor may also recommend ice or heat packs, physical therapy, or therapeutic massage.

For permanent neck pain relief, at Indian Harbor Chiropractic we offer the following treatments:

Chiropractic Adjustment

Chiropractic adjustments can realign your spine or other parts of the body, reduce tension, and alleviate discomfort due to neck pain. Chiropractic treatments Dr. Gailes offers at Indian Harbor Chiropractic include motion palpation, spinal adjustments, activator application, drop table care, and neuromuscular therapy to break down scar tissue and provide complete nec pain relief.

Spinal manipulation therapy (SMT)

Spinal manipulation is a technique where Dr. Gailes will apply a controlled thrust to a joint of the spine. This motion moves the joint more than it would on its own. SMT is actually a collection of techniques which include massage or mobilization of soft tissue, adjustment of spinal subluxations, trigger point therapy, cross-friction massage, active release therapy, and mechanical traction on an area of the spine or on an extremity.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

TENS sends electrical pulses through the skin to start your body's own painkillers. The electrical pulses can release endorphins and other substances to stop pain signals in the brain. TENS can reduce pain. Tens also works on muscles and causes muscle contractions by stimulating α-motor neurons. It is highly effective in improving muscle function, strengthening muscles, and improving joint range of motion.

Massage Therapy

At Indian Harbor Chiropractic, your neck pain treatment involves massage therapy, a holistic, drug-free pain relief method that releases muscle spasms and remedies alignment issues that put undue pressure and stress on your neck.

Laser therapy

Dr. Gailes is currently the only chiropractor in Greenwich, CT offering Class IV Laser Therapy. Dr. Gailes uses chiropractic adjustments and laser therapy to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and speed up recovery times for all types of injuries. Laser therapy will reduce pain by over 50% in three to four treatments and can complement chiropractic adjustments or be used as an independent form of treatment.

Begin with chiropractic care today

For complete neck pain relief call the Indian Harbor Chiropractic office or schedule an appointment online today.
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