Bottom Line:
Your neck has a tough job. It has to hold up the weight of your head every day… for a lifetime. Holding up 11 pounds may not seem like a lot, but those 7 bones and 25 or so muscles in your neck need to work together correctly for you to move your head around free of pain.
Postural changes, sudden injuries, and arthritis are just a few of the primary causes of neck pain.
Most of the time, your pain can be traced to a problem with either the muscles, joints, discs, or nerves in your neck.
Why it Matters:
If you’ve ever had a stiff neck and couldn’t turn your head to either side for a day or two, you know how impactful neck pain can be. The sharp muscle spasms that restrict your ability to move often result from your body trying to protect a joint that isn’t moving correctly.
Let’s look at the anatomy.
Almost every bone in your neck has a pair of sliding joints towards the back called facet joints. If an adhesion forms or the joint is stuck, your body will try to compensate for a little while. However, over time, this compensation can cause a cascade of additional challenges.
To recap…
- Sudden injuries, arthritis, and postural issues can all contribute to neck pain.
- The facet joints of your neck can become stuck and cause muscles spasms and pain.
- Gentle spinal adjustments, Active Release Technique soft tissue therapy, combined with daily stretching can help restore the motion of your facet joints and reduce pain.
Next Steps:
A stiff neck is your body’s way of saying “pay attention to what is happening”! Even if the pain eases up at the end of the day, it’s a smart idea to reach out to a chiropractor. Movement assessments are a just one part of our physical examination, and they provide us with important information about your body and what may be causing your pain. Remember, by taking a proactive approach to your health today, you may be able to prevent future episodes of neck pain and stiffness.
Our practice is focused on helping you feel and move better through gentle adjustments, performing specialized soft tissue treatments including Active Release Technique and Graston Technique, and by providing you with the stretches and exercises you can do at home to keep improving. If neck pain is getting in the way of you enjoying your life, give us a call. Our team is here to help!
Call us today at 206-954-7479 and we would be happy to provide a full evaluation and help you take the first steps on the road to recovery.
You can also email us at drjafferbarlas@gmail.com or contact us through our website here.
*Following proper evaluation, patients at Barlas Chiropractic are often treated with light chiropractic adjustments, Active Release Technique soft tissue therapy, Graston Technique soft tissue therapy, and therapeutic exercise to reduce pain, improve mobility, and safely speed recovery.
Yours in health,
Science Source(s):
The Cervical Spine Before, During and After Manipulation. The Spine Journal. 2018.
(206) 954-7479