Addressing Neck Pain with Chiropractic Care
As a chiropractor with 25 years experience and two locations in Hillsborough Township NJ and Hazlet NJ one of the most common conditions that we see in our office is neck pain. Neck pain is common but not normal. It is estimated that up to 70% of the general population and more common in women will experience neck pain within a year. If the problem is not addressed it could lead to a chronic problem.
Our lifestyles are a big contributor to neck pain. Things like poor posture, cell phone use and poor sleeping habits, just to name a few. The average person spends an average of four hours a day on their cell phone, most likely with their heads looking down. This forward head posture will cause excessive wear and tear on the muscles and nerves of the neck. Motion is key for your neck. With lack of motion, you can develop pain and arthritis. As a chiropractor, our job is to find the cause of your neck pain and not just to treat the symptoms.
How We Treat Neck Pain
In order to find the cause of your neck pain, Dr. Loniewski will perform a very detailed history with you one on one. After your history a specific examination will be performed. This detailed examination includes a neurological exam, orthopedic test, posture analysis and a spinal mobility exam. All tests are performed very gently. The history and examination will let us know if your problem can be helped with chiropractic care. If we can help you, we will map out a success plan for you. If we can not help you, we will refer you to someone who can.
Digital Motion X-rays
At the Living Well 4 Life Center we use the most advanced technologies to find the cause of your neck pain. We have a 20/20 digital motion X-ray. This advanced technology will help us determine where your neck pain is coming from. We will also assess your alignment, proper curvatures, as well as any arthritis or previous injuries. It is important to know exactly what we are working with before starting chiropractic care, as everyone is different. With digital X-ray analysis we can make sure that there are no instabilities or permanent damages to your spine. This makes your chiropractic care very specific to your problem.
Specific Chiropractic Care
As a chiropractor, our job is to locate the cause of your neck pain, not just treat the symptoms. One of the most common causes of neck pain is a subluxation. A subluxation is a bone that is not moving properly that can cause pressure on a nerve. If the subluxations are not corrected it can cause pain, headaches, numbness, tingling and can lead to arthritis. At the Living Well 4 Life Center we use only the most advanced and scientifically specific techniques to get you feeling and functioning better quickly. Through our detailed analysis we will choose a technique that is extremely comfortable and relaxing that will take the pressure off the nerve therefore correcting the cause of your neck pain.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Healing is a 50/50 process. This means that the patient will need to take an active part in the healing process. We will design a custom exercise program for each patient to do at home that will facilitate faster healing, faster repair and lead to long term correction. This therapeutic exercise program is designed to address the muscle imbalance and weakness and is designed by our functional movement specialist. The purpose of your exercise program is to allow your chiropractic adjustments to hold better and longer.
Spinal Curve Correction
Your neck is comprised of seven bones, spinal discs, and 14 spinal nerves and is designed to have a C shaped curvature called a lordosis. If this curvature is straightened or reversed this will lead to subluxations, arthritis, and possibly a hump in your neck. Based on our specific motion X-ray we will be able to determine what phase arthritis you have and how to restore the proper curve in your neck. At the Living Well 4 Life Center we utilize a custom orthotic called a Denneroll. This is custom designed for your neck size based on Chiropractic Biophysics. This orthotic is not something you wear, you place it under your neck while laying on the floor for a few minutes each day.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
Subluxation:
A subluxation is the most common cause of neck pain. A subluxation or misalignment is a bone that is stuck, not moving properly that puts pressure on a nerve. This pressure can cause neck pain, headaches, numbness, tingling, tightness and even a burning sensation. Chiropractic doctors are the only doctors trained in the detection and correction of spinal subluxation.
Text Neck:
Text neck is a common cause of neck pain not only in kids but very common in adults. Text neck is caused by prolonged use of electronics for instance cell phones, with the head looking down. The average person spends 4 hours a day using their electronic devices and this can lead to neck pain. This strain on the muscle and ligaments of the neck will not only lead to pain but possibly wear and tear of the bone and nerves. Chiropractic adjustments can help correct text neck.
Forward Head Posture:
Your posture is the window of your spine. At the Living Well 4 Life Center we see a majority of neck pain caused by forward head posture. This is a condition where the head is leaning forward causing stress on the neck. Your head is to be positioned straight on your shoulders and weighs about 10-12 pounds. When your head is positioned forward It adds about 10 pounds of pressure to your neck. This is equivalent to having a bowling ball on your head all day. Chiropractic adjustments help correct forward head posture.
Arthritis:
Arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis, is a common cause of neck pain. Arthritis has four phases and chiropractic can help in phase one, two or three. We determine which phase of arthritis you have by our special motion Xray. Arthritis can be caused by previous injuries, wear and tear overtime and possibly poor posture. When you have arthritis, the bones don’t move down properly and get stuck and can lead to spinal stenosis. Chiropractic adjustments are tailored to the phase of arthritis you have and are very gentle and relaxing.
Bulge/Herniated Disc:
There are seven bones in your neck, and the discs are located between each bone. These discs act as shock absorption of your spine. If these discs become herniated or bulging, this can cause neck pain. A disc can become bulged or herniated due to injuries, concussion, whiplash and even your posture. The pain can be located in the neck and can cause numbness and tingling into the shoulder, arm and the fingers. Chiropractic adjustments are designed to address the improper movement of the spine that will allow the body to heal the disk naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chiropractor in Hillsborough Township NJ or Hazlet NJ good for neck pain?
Absolutely. A chiropractic should be the first doctor you should call when you have neck pain. With over 25 years of experience the Living Well 4 Life Center has helped thousands of patients correct the cause of their neck pain naturally and without drugs and surgery.
When should you see a chiropractor for neck pain?
Is it OK to “crack” my own neck?
Are chiropractic adjustments to the neck safe?
Is chiropractic care covered by my insurance?
How can I tell if my neck is out of alignment?
