Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong and if you’re experiencing neck pain, it’s not something you want to ignore. Neck pain is one of the most common medical complaints in the US, and it’s no surprise when you consider how much time the average person spends hunched over a computer screen and/or mobile phone. However, there are a lot of other factors that can contribute to neck pain besides spending hours hunched over electronics. Sometimes, neck pain is a minor nuisance that can be remedied with simple lifestyle changes. But chronic neck pain can also be a sign of more serious issues.
What is Neck Pain?
Neck pain is an all-encompassing term for stiffness, aches, or inflammation in the muscles, bones, or ligaments of the neck. The human neck is made up of seven cervical vertebrae (referred to as C1 to C7) that extend from the skull to the thoracic spine, or upper torso. Any abnormalities, inflammation, or injury can cause neck pain.
What Causes Neck Pain?
Some patients can pinpoint the cause of their neck pain, while others report that their pain came out of nowhere. The truth is neck pain can be caused by any number of problems:
Childhood falls or injuries
Auto accidents
Poor posture
Sports injuries
Head injuries
Repetitive motions
Sleeping on your stomach
Cervical strain/whiplash
Herniation of a cervical disc
Degenerative changes related to aging or injury
Musculoskeletal abnormalities
The Cervical Spine
Your neck, also known as the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and houses the spinal cord as well as regulates blood flow to the brain. It’s the most delicate part of your spine, and yet it supports the full weight of your head. Unlike the joints in the rest of your spine, the joints of the cervical spine don’t interlock. Because of this, you have tremendous flexibility and mobility in your head and neck, the trade-off to increased flexibility however is increased vulnerability. Even micro-injuries can misalign the bones of the neck and lock them into a stressed position. When this happens, small pain-sensitive nerves in the neck, shoulders, and upper back can become inflamed, irritated, or pinched.
How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Addresses Neck Pain
Because the neck is the most delicate part of the spine, it only takes a ¼ of a millimeter misalignment to wreak havoc on a person’s entire body. It’s the junction where the brainstem meets with the spinal cord, and misalignment with these bones can put undue pressure on the brainstem. When this happens it results in miscommunications between the brain and body. Additionally, when the neck is out of alignment, the body has to compensate by twisting the spine in order to keep the head level. As you can see, this sets up a perfect environment for neck pain to occur.
When you come to Atlas Specific, during your first session, we will use special scans and x-rays to determine if there is a misalignment as well as where it is located. Our analysis takes 100% of the guesswork out of the equation. Once a misalignment is located, using measurements specific to your anatomy and a precise mathematical approach we realign the spine to a neutral, balanced position gently and effectively. With upper cervical chiropractic, no two adjustments are the same, and there is no twisting of the spine.
Find the Relief You Need
Every patient is unique in their anatomy, flexibility, and needs. That is why at Atlas Specific each treatment plan is designed to be patient-specific. Rather than simply treating the symptoms of your chronic neck pain, Dr. Tim provides a long-term drug-free strategy that offers pain relief as well as the prevention of future spinal decay. Contact Atlas Specific Upper Cervical Care at 970 – 259 – 6803, drop by our 1800 E 3rd Ave #108, office in Durango, or click below to schedule a free consultation.
Notice of Disclaimer: We are doctors of upper cervical chiropractic, but we are NOT necessarily YOUR doctors. All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and reading or interacting with this site does not establish any form of the patient-doctor relationship. Although we strive to provide accurate information, the information presented here is not intended as a substitute for any kind of professional advice and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your particular area of need before making medical decisions.
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