Take a moment to slowly move your head from left to right and observe how your neck feels. Is there tension? Maybe it’s a new sensation or something you’ve been dealing with for a few years, hoping it will resolve itself. Well, you’re not alone. 

Neck pain is a common, sometimes debilitating condition that often goes untreated. According to Harvard Health, approximately 80% of people experience neck pain during their lifetime, and 20%-50% experience discomfort annually. Neck pain can make even the simplest movements involving the neck, head, arms, shoulders, and back excruciatingly difficult. When left untreated, immobility resulting from neck pain can even cause the muscles to weaken and degenerate over time. 

While home remedies for neck pain, like OTC painkillers and icing, may provide a quick fix, investing in quality chiropractic care is the only way to address the root cause of your pain. Working with a licensed chiropractor in Willowbrook will help you create an effective treatment plan for both short and long-term recovery. 

WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN?

The neck, otherwise known as the cervical spine, consists of the first seven vertebrae that support your head’s weight, protect your spinal cord, and allow for a wide range of head motions. While the small size of these vertebrae is conducive to mobility, it makes them more susceptible to injury and neck pain (cervicalgia). 

There are two primary forms of neck pain: axial neck pain (felt mainly in the neck) and radicular neck pain (pain that shoots into other areas, i.e, shoulders or arms). It can be acute (lasting from a few days to six weeks) or chronic (lasting longer than three months).

Neck pain is a common symptom of many injuries and medical conditions, including: 

  • Repetitive physical strain
  • Poor posture
  • Trauma/injury (i.e., whiplash)
  • Sleeping position
  • Bone structure abnormalities
  • Joint issues
  • Muscle strains and pulls
  • Degenerative diseases (i.e., osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis)

While it may seem a mere annoyance initially, untreated neck pain can have severe consequences. A misalignment of the spine usually accompanies neck pain. When neck muscles spasm, the spine gets pulled out of alignment, causing nerve irritation. 

In some cases, the neck pain will temporarily subside, but the misalignment that caused the problem remains. Over time, that area can become aggravated, causing the pain to return. If the problem is not corrected, it can progress to the point where surgical correction may be the only option.

CONVENTIONAL VS. HOLISTIC NECK PAIN TREATMENTS

The most common home remedy for neck pain is prescription or over-the-counter medications. While medications may help relieve short-term symptoms, they act as a band-aid leaving the underlying issue unaddressed. 

Dr. Chris Menton, D.C., firmly believes in a holistic approach to chiropractic treatment that addresses the structural causes that lead to neck pain. Our experienced chiropractors in Willowbrook use a “whole person” approach to work with our patients to discover their particular wellness needs, then craft personalized care plans to help them achieve the highest quality of life.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. Read our testimonials to see what our patients have to say.

Fill out this form to receive a FREE CONSULTATION and start developing a plan to tackle your neck pain once and for all.

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain can be linked to several causes; however, wear and tear from aging is usually the most straightforward answer. Over time, stress and repeated movements can lead to the wearing down of joint cartilage (osteoarthritis) and narrowing of the spaces in your spine (spinal stenosis), causing neck pain, herniated disks, or pinched nerves. 

Muscle tension, poor posture, and injuries can also cause subluxation, a condition in which vertebrae in the neck slip out of their natural position and pinch the surrounding nerves causing inflammation. 

How can a chiropractor diagnose and treat neck pain?

A medical history and a physical exam are often enough to diagnose the cause of neck pain, but we may perform an X-Ray to determine any issues with cervical alignment, fractures, slipped discs, or arthritis. 

Once we find the source of the pain and rule out underlying problems, we’ll create a custom treatment plan to address the root cause of your neck pain.

We usually begin our chiropractic treatments by using gentle, manual adjustments to put the neck vertebrae back into alignment. This allows the nerves to communicate correctly and loosens stiff muscles. We may perform other treatments such as massage, stretching, and exercise in addition to an adjustment to achieve the best possible results. 

Is chiropractic treatment effective at treating neck pain?

Chiropractic care provides a safe, non-invasive alternative to prescription or over-the-counter pain medications. Chiropractic neck adjustments help to correct joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine, which can reduce inflammation and improve the function of the body mechanics. 

For many patients, regular chiropractic care can resolve neck pain altogether. While patients with underlying conditions, such as injury, disc disorders, or arthritis, may not be able to be fully cured, they often notice significant improvement. 

Schedule an appointment with Complete Health Chiropractic to talk to Dr. Menton for more information.

Are there any risks with chiropractic care?

Clinical trials have found substantial evidence that chiropractic neck adjustments are safe and effective for treating chronic neck pain and carry much less risk when compared to surgical treatment or injections. Dr. Menton uses a gentle touch when performing chiropractic adjustments to ensure the utmost comfort and confidence for our patients. 

OFFICE HOURS


Monday
9:00am – 6:00pm


Tuesday
1:00pm – 6:00pm


Wednesday
9:00am – 6:00pm


Thursday
1:00pm – 6:00pm


Friday
Closed


Saturday
9:00am – 12:00pm

Complete Health Chiropractic
54 63rd Street #14
Willowbrook, IL 60527
(630) 920-1097