What are the causes and treatments of neck pain? Many people experience neck pain or stiffness occasionally. In many cases, it’s due to poor posture or overuse. Sometimes, neck pain comes from an injury from a fall, contact sports, or whiplash. But, most of the time, neck pain isn’t a serious condition and can be relieved within a few days.

Causes and Treatments of Neck Pain

• Muscle tension and strain are usually due to activities and behaviors such as poor posture, working at a desk for too long without changing position, sleeping with your neck in a bad position, or jerking your neck during exercise.
• Injury – The neck is particularly vulnerable to injury, especially in falls, car accidents, and sports when the muscles and ligaments move outside of their normal range. A friend in college was wrestling with his roommate in their room. My friend’s roommate got him in a full nelson headlock and rolled him forward on the bed forcing his muscle to move outside their normal range. The college’s health team suggested electrotherapy and a visit to a Chiropractor.
• Heart attack – Neck pain can also be a heart attack symptom, but it often presents with other signs of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, arm or jaw. If your neck hurts and you have other heart attack symptoms, call an ambulance or immediately go to the emergency room.
• Meningitis – Meningitis is an inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. In people who have meningitis, a fever and a headache often occur with a stiff neck. Meningitis can be fatal and is a medical emergency. If you have the symptoms of meningitis, seek help immediately.

What is the Treatment for Neck Pain?

Unlike general practitioners, chiropractic procedures treat neck pain at the root of its problem rather than mask the pain and symptoms of neck problems with prescription drugs. Of course, it goes without saying that chiropractic adjustments are safe, non-invasive, and natural.

• Spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation combines moving and jolting joints, physical therapy, and massage to reduce inflammation and relieve the pressure on joints.
• Flexion distraction technique. Flexion-distraction involves placing pressure on the spine to reduce inflammation and resolve disc herniations and bulges.
• Instrument-assisted manipulation. Some people’s conditions are so severe that they require handheld instruments, which the chiropractor uses to apply force to the spine without thrusting.

Sports Chiropractic Services for Neck Pain

If you are experiencing pain in your back, shoulders, or neck when sitting at your desk, don’t wait another minute. Our team at Elite Motion and Performance may be able to help you. Contact us today to learn more about our South Austin Chiropractic services.