Neck Pain Treatment

Dr. Bradley Eyford DC and Dr. Dena Marie Terranova DC

Neck Pain Specialist

The neck, also called the cervical spine, is a delicate body part. It is a structure of bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons that enable your neck to move in various directions.

There are seven stacked bones called cervical vertebrae. The top part connects to the skull, and the bottom to the upper back and cervical discs absorb any shock between the vertebrae bones. Dr Bradley Eyford, DC, is an experienced Tacoma chiropractor. 

Any inflammation, abnormalities, or injury to the neck leads to cervical pain or neck pain. It can be treated by medical, surgical, and alternative methods.

Irrespective of neck pain severity, it is better to consult a chiropractor to manage it and prevent long-term complications. At Tacoma Chiropractic Health Connection clinic, we have one of Tacoma’s best chiropractors who believes that Chiropractic adjustments are a very effective non-invasive treatment to neck pain’s root cause.

What Are The Symptoms Of Neck Pain?

There are various neck pain symptoms such as:

  • Constant aching neck
  • Numbness and tingling in upper arms
  • Difficulty in moving upper arms
  • Neck stiffness and soreness
  • Headaches
  • Pain in arms

The following conditions can cause pain in the neck:

The following conditions can cause pain in the neck:

  • Prolonged straining and Muscle strain
  • Sleeping in an uncomfortable position      
  • Cervical herniated disc and Cervical radiculopathy
  • Cervical spondylosis
  • Untreated accidents & traumas
  • Whiplash injury

Extended mobile phone usage and wearing heavy necklaces are some other benign reasons for neck pain.

Types Of Neck Pain

Neck pain is classified according to the cause, which can be muscular, neurological. 

The different types of neck pain are:

  • Muscle pain
  • Facet joint pain
  • Nerve pain
  • Referred pain
  • Bone pain

Neck pain that is confined to the cervical region only is usually not very problematic. It can be because of a tension headache and neck muscle spasm. 

However, sometimes, neck pain exhibits the following symptoms:

  • Tingling and numbness in upper arms or hands
  • Movement difficulty in the upper arms or hands

These symptoms usually indicate a nerve compression such as cervical radiculopathy. According to spine-health, cervical radiculopathy is self-limiting and often goes away on its own.

Usually, self-care and spinal manipulations can provide pain relief in the early stages. However, rare cases can worsen even with treatment, leading to possible permanent nerve damage and even paralysis. Surgery may be the best solution to treat the condition in this stage.

Neck Pain Treatment

Neck pain, which is not severe, usually responds well to self-care and rest. The following measures can help treat excruciating pain:    

  • Painkillers and muscle relaxants provide immediate pain relief
  • Neck pain occurs because of malpositioning of the neck and improves with correction of posture
  • Heat and ice packs and electrical stimulation can also offer neck pain relief
  • Gentle stretching exercises relieve muscle spasms and decrease pain
  • Steroid injections help reduce the severity of pain and inflammation

Collar support for neck muscles is not recommended unless torn ligaments and muscles exist. 

Chiropractic Treatment For Neck Pain

Chiropractic is a safe, non-invasive approach to managing neck pain successfully. It works by applying manual traction and massaging that releases tension in the neck muscles.

The spinal adjustments help fix subluxation and restore joint mobility. It helps realign the cervical spine and reduce the pressure on nerves so that you feel better.

We may also suggest neck strengthening exercises, posture maintaining tips, and resting for better pain relief.

Sometimes non-surgical decompression of nerve roots is necessary for chronic and severe pain that affects limbs too.

Tacoma Chiropractic Health Connection Clinic is a highly rated chiropractic clinic specializing in therapy for neck pain. We use our experience and knowledge to provide the highest quality of care to our patients.

Long Term Problems Of Untreated Neck Pain

It doesn’t matter how terrible neck pain is; it requires appropriate and timely treatment. Ignoring neck pain for a long time can have severe consequences like:

  • Weakness and numbness in shoulders, arms, and hands
  • Neck muscle weakness
  • Degenerative disc disease

Let Us Help You

Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Pain

Are Tacoma Chiropractors safe for neck pain treatment?

Chiropractic care for neck pain provides symptomatic relief without any medical or surgical intervention. The cervical spine manipulation corrects subluxation, restores the misaligned joints, releases muscle spasm, and minimizes pressure on the nerves. As the pinched nerve is free, the pain improves. So yes, neck pain treatment by Tacoma chiropractors is safe.

Does medical insurance cover neck pain?

Most Health insurance covers the cost of diagnostic tests, chiropractic care, physical therapy, drugs, and other programs for neck pain.

What is the fastest way to relieve neck pain?

If you wonder how to cure neck pain fast, it involves good self-care and rest. Pain killers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are helpful. Exercising and maintaining an appropriate posture of the neck releases muscular tension and provides immediate symptomatic relief.

Can neck pain be a sign of infection?

Neck pain can occur due to an infection of the throat. The lymph nodes enlarge because of the infection and leads to neck pain on the left or right side.

What can cause pain at the base of the neck?

Following conditions cause pain at the base of the neck:

    • Degenerative disc disease
    • Strain and sprain injuries of neck muscles
    • Car accidents, even a minor ones
    • Disc herniation
    • Cervical radiculopathy

Why does my neck hurt at the base of my skull?

Spinal subluxation due to mild trauma, which usually goes unnoticed, manifests as pain in the back of the neck. The tension headache due to muscle spasm appears in the head and may travel down to involve neck area.

How do you know if neck pain is severe?

Neck pain sometimes arises because of a serious condition. Usually, neck pain accompanied by numbness and tingling sensation or movement difficulty in the arms or hands is serious. Consult your chiropractor for a diagnosis and neck pain relief.

When should I be concerned about neck pain?

The neck pain increasing in intensity with time and lasting for more than six weeks is worrisome. Further, if one of the following features are present, it is recommended to consult your neck pain doctor in Tacoma for immediate care.

  • Age over 55 or under 20
  • Tender neck
  • Fever/malaise/nausea
  • Weight loss

How should I sleep to avoid neck pain?

The best sleeping position for neck pain is the one that supports the neck. Ideally, one should sleep on the back or the side and keep a soft pillow beneath the neck to support its curvature, simultaneously supporting the head with a flat pillow.

Is neck pain a sign of high blood pressure?

A constant neck pain increasing in severity with time can be a sign of high blood pressure.