Neck Pain

Mild neck pain may improve in a few days, but if your pain is severe or worsens, don’t wait to seek help from Aaron Martin, DC, and the skilled chiropractic team at Iowa Chiropractic Clinic & Sports Injuries in Altoona, Ankeny, or Grimes, Iowa. Waiting too long to get treatment leads to progressive tissue damage, more pain and stiffness, and a neck condition that takes longer to heal. Call the nearest office today or connect online to request an appointment.

What causes neck pain?

The seven small cervical vertebrae that make up your neck are susceptible to overuse, sport, and automobile injuries.

Whiplash, a common neck injury, often occurs during a car accident. However, you can suffer a whiplash injury when a direct hit on your body forces your neck into a rapid back-and-forth movement.

If you spend too much time using electronics with your head bent, you’re a top candidate for neck strain, which can be incredibly painful despite being a minor injury.

Many people develop a painful locked neck that limits movement. The structures in your neck also develop degenerative conditions as you get older, such as arthritis, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis.

Any neck injury or degenerative disease can pinch the spinal nerves, causing a condition called cervical radiculopathy.

What other conditions are associated with neck pain?

A pinched nerve often causes pain and tingling along the full length of the nerve. Since the spinal nerves leaving your neck travel into your head and through your shoulders and arms, your neck pain may also be associated with:

• Jaw pain
• Headaches
• Arm pain
• Arm numbness
• Shoulder pain
• Rotator cuff pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Elbow pain
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
• Hand and wrist pain

Hand and wrist pain may mimic carpal tunnel syndrome.

How is neck pain treated?

Your chiropractic care begins with a review of your medical history and physical examination. Your provider may perform on-site digital X-rays to verify the underlying cause and rule out problems that need orthopedic attention, like fractures.

When treating your neck, the team at Iowa Chiropractic Clinic & Sports Injuries performs spinal manipulation using gentle techniques. This allows them to decompress and realign spinal structures while protecting your neck.

Manual spinal manipulation and the Cox® Technic are two gentle, safe methods frequently used by the team at Iowa Chiropractic Clinic & Sports Injuries. Your provider may also recommend other healing therapies, depending on the cause of your neck pain.

For example, treatment with the Multiwave Locked System (MLS) robotic laser accelerates healing and reduces inflammation and pain. Your neck pain treatment may also include ultrasound therapy or electrical muscle stimulation.

No one should live with neck pain and stiffness. Don’t wait to call Iowa Chiropractic Clinic & Sports Injuries or schedule an appointment online today.