Neck Pain Treatment Fort Collins CO
Neck Pain Treatment in Fort Collins, CO
The neck, also known as the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and is made up of seven small vertebrae. The critical task of holding up one’s head, which weighs about 12 pounds on average, lies directly on the neck. The biomechanics of the neck – the flexibility it has and the function of moving the head in nearly every direction – contribute to its susceptibility to pain and injury.
Neck pain is a common condition, occurring in more than 66% of the population. It can be difficult to determine the exact cause due to the wide range of causes, from a neck injury like whiplash to viral or bacterial infections like meningitis to sleeping wrong. Symptoms can also vary widely, from mildly annoying to so excruciatingly painful that one avoids any movement at all.
If you need neck pain treatment or are suffering from other back pain, and are looking for natural relief without using potentially harmful drugs or surgery, contact us online at our Fort Collins office or call us at (970) 377-3557 to learn more about how we can help.
Symptoms of Neck Pain
Stiffness
Soreness and difficulty moving, especially turning the head side to side.
Sharp pain
Stabbing or stinging, localized in one spot, often in the lower neck.
General Soreness
Tender or achy.
Radiating Pain
Radiates from neck into shoulders and/or arms, may feel like burning or searing.
Tingling, Numbness, or Weakness
Radiates into shoulder, arm, fingers; “pins-and-needles” sensation; typically in one arm.
Trouble with Gripping or Lifting Objects
Tingling, numbness, weakness in fingers.
Migraines
Tight muscles or pinched nerves can cause pain to radiate into the head.
Common Causes
Sleeping in a wrong position
Sleeping in an awkward or atypical position can cause neck pain.
Sports injury
Collision or fall while playing a sport can cause a "stinger," when nerves in the neck/shoulder are impacted and pain, numbness, and weakness can radiate down the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Poor posture
The head tilted forward for long periods of time causes the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to work harder. This poor posture often happens while working at a computer, watching TV, reading a book, or gardening. "Text neck" is a common problem due to spending hours looking down at the phone while texting.
Repetitive motion
Turning the head repeatedly, such as side to side while dancing or swimming can cause neck pain.
Holding the Head in Unusual Position
For example, cradling a phone between the head and shoulder while talking, or when watching an air show.
Whiplash
When the head and neck are quickly jolted forward and backward with a great deal of force ( such as in an auto accident), possibly tearing or rupturing soft tissue near the cervical spine.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Wear and tear on the spine or disc dehydration can lead to herniated disc, pinched nerve, or arthritis.
Herniated Disc
When a disc tears and leaks it can lead to nerve irritation.
Spinal Stenosis
This narrowing of the spinal canal can lead to nerve compression.
Infections
Viral or bacterial, such as meningitis or tuberculosis of the neck.
Fibromyalgia
A chronic, widespread pain disorder.
Contact our Fort Collins office today at (970) 377-3557, or e-mail us online, to schedule a complimentary spinal screening and let us provide neck pain treatment in a natural way.
Natural Neck Pain Treatment
Chiropractic adjustments are one of the most effective treatments for relieving neck pain without the negative side effects of drugs or invasive procedures, and with the added benefits of improved range of motion, increased immune system function, and reduced stress. One of the basic foundations of chiropractic care is “vitalism” – recognizing that the human body has an innate ability to heal itself, called Innate Intelligence, which does not rely on symptom treatments like drugs or surgery.
Our chiropractor will perform a thorough examination to determine if you have subluxations – misalignments of the spine causing nerve pressure – including observing your posture, range of motion, and physical condition. We will analyze your health history, exam results, and x-rays to develop the best strategy to not merely relieve your symptoms, but to cure the root cause of your problem. Recommendations will include a comprehensive care plan that may also include exercises, tractions, lifestyle changes, and other natural methods of care.
Chiropractic adjustments align the spine and relieve pressure on the nervous system, restoring normal motion to the spine and allowing the body to heal. As every patient should with any treatment plan, ask questions and engage in learning about how your body works and how it breaks down so you can understand how to best take care of it. Get your best results by being an educated, involved member of your health care team.
FAQ’s
Common causes of neck pain include the following:
- Sleeping in a wrong position
- Sports injury
- Poor posture
- Repetitive motion
- Holding the head in an unusual position
- Whiplash
- Degenerative disk disease
- Herniated disk
- Spinal stenosis
- Infections
- Fibromyalgia
Get In Touch With Us
If you have any questions about how we can get you out of pain or improve your overall quality of life, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (970) 377-3557.