You don’t have to live with neck pain.
At Sycamore Chiropractic, Dr. Craig Petersen has served patients living throughout the South Orange County area, in communities like Mission Viejo Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano for over 20 years. The staff at Sycamore Chiropractic offer management plans for chronic neck pain that will allow you to live a fuller, more active, pain-free life.
Chiropractic care aims to fix the issue at the root of the problem, so that you can live without restrictions. By having a chiropractic exam, the source of the pain can be discovered and options are discussed for relief. Instantaneous relief can sometimes be found even after the very first gentle adjustment.
Lasting neck pain often makes even the simplest movements incredibly painful. Almost everyone has experienced neck pain once in their lives. Whether it’s from an exercise strain or a kink after a long day at work, neck pain is quite common. This pain often leads to headaches that decrease your quality of life. Neck pain often causes its victims to avoid using the muscles in their neck resulting in muscle degeneration over time, further exacerbating the problem.
Discovering the source of neck pain is essential to receiving proper treatment. Chiropractic Dr. Craig Petersen and the caring staff at Sycamore Chiropractic are specialists who can get you feeling better quickly.
Neck Pain Treatment in Laguna Hills
The neck is not the largest part of the body but it is one of the most important. It is the bridge between the head and body and needs to hold the head in proper alignment. Vertebrae in the neck are quite small and allow for mobility. However, they lack in strength which can give way to injuries and pain. There are numerous causes for neck pain but these are some of the most common:
- Trauma, such as whiplash
- Awkward Sleeping position
- Poor posture
- Repetitive stress
- Abnormalities in the bone structure
- Joint issues
- Muscle strains and pulls
Most neck pain arises from, or has an impact on, the alignment of the spine.
People often ignore neck pain and believe it will go away without consequence. Sometimes the pain does go away but the lingering effects on the spine can cause problems in the future. Over time, without treatment, the pain will continue to return and certain movements become almost impossible. In extreme cases, patients have waited so long that they need surgery to fix the problem.
Muscles often spasm during times of neck pain which pulls on the spine causing pain and further misalignment. When the spine is tampered with, the nerves in the spinal cord are irritated which impacts the rest of the body. Neck pain can be dangerous for this reason, causing problems in other essential systems throughout the body.
Conventional vs. Holistic Treatments
In today’s society, people with neck pain often rely on prescription medication. These medications will sometimes cover up the symptoms or pain but will not heal the underlying issue. Massage therapy is another popular method, but this solution only relaxes the muscles that are in the neck which, in a majority of cases, are not the source of the pain.
Neck Pain Q&A
What is Cervical Stenosis?
Stenosis is a narrowing of the small holes that the nerves pass through as they leave the spine. These small holes on the vertebrae guide the nerves in the direction they need to go and protect them from injury. When stenosis occurs in the neck area of the spine, the name of the condition is cervical stenosis. The cervical vertebrae of the spine are the seven bones of the spinal column that lead from the base of the skull to the thoracic section of the spinal column. As a person ages, the small holes or foramen can begin to narrow, pinching the nerves and causing both pain and inflammation. Over time, numbness and tingling may occur as well.
Does Neck Pain Cause Migraines?
Neck pain can cause headaches and migraine pain. When the neck is injured or under excessive amounts of strain, the muscles can become so tight and inflamed that they put pressure on the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain. The longer the blood flow is restricted, the more likely a person is to have a headache. The tightened muscles of the neck can also pull on the muscles that cover the scalp. This pressure can cause what is referred to as a “tension headache”. The tension and stress of a neck injury can radiate into the shoulders as well as upward into the scalp and face causing pan that ranges from a dull ache to intense migraine pain.
How long do Neck Injuries Take to Heal?
The structure of the neck is very vulnerable to injury. It is the sole support for the head and is responsible for the head being able to move in almost every known direction. It’s because of this extreme flexibility that the neck can take longer to heal than other areas of the body. A neck injury can take anywhere from eight to ten weeks to heal. After an injury has occurred, it can be difficult holding the neck in one position so as not to reinjure the area. Even if a neck brace or cervical collar is worn, a quick jerk or sudden movement can prolong the healing process. Chiropractic adjustments can help to strengthen the injured area and keep the bones in their natural position allowing for faster healing.
Chiropractic often provides long term relief and heals the body. Call Sycamore Chiropractic in Laguna Hills, CA at 949-388-1432 if you or a loved one is experiencing neck pain. Schedule your consultation and learn how we can help relieve the pain that’s holding you back.