Have you ever experienced a nagging ache in your neck? The kind that makes you wonder if it's just a temporary inconvenience or something more sinister lurking beneath the surface. Does your neck pain come and go or happen too often? Does it stop you from enjoying weekends at West Edmonton Mall like you used to? How do you differentiate between the usual discomfort of daily grind and the warning signs of a deeper problem?
If you answered yes to two or more of our questions above, then it’s quite likely that you also want to know the response to the following queries:
Read on as we tackle everything there is to know about neck pain. Let’s help you understand your symptom better so you can go back to doing the things you love before neck pain got in the way of everything.
Your pain can have a variety of causes and triggers, ranging from everyday factors to potentially more serious underlying issues. Understanding the cause of your pain can help you understand the nature of your discomfort further and point you to proper care.
This can happen when standing, sleeping, or sitting down, especially for extended periods, which can strain the neck muscles and lead to pain. Additionally, activities that involve repetitive motions or heavy lifting can put stress on the neck. Stress itself can also contribute to muscle tension and neck discomfort.
Accidents such as car collisions or sports-related impacts can result in whiplash, a common neck injury. This occurs when the head is forcefully jerked forward and backward abruptly, straining the neck's ligaments and muscles.
When you age, the wear and tear on your cervical spine can lead to degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis or cervical disc degeneration. These conditions can cause neck pain and stiffness, often accompanied by reduced mobility.
Misalignment of the bones in your upper cervical spine, particularly the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae, can cause significant neck discomfort. This misalignment can result from various factors, including accidents, injuries, or poor posture.
These are just some of the potential factors. If you're unsure about the cause or severity of your neck pain, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and personalized guidance.
Determining the severity of neck pain can be challenging on your own, but there can be signs to watch out for that may indicate the need for prompt medical attention. Suppose your neck pain becomes persistent or worsens with radiating pain down the arm, numbness or tingling sensations, or any bladder or bowel control loss. In that case, it is crucial to seek help immediately. These symptoms may indicate underlying conditions that require proper diagnosis and treatment.
Don’t hesitate to phone your physician to know what you should do to move forward and prevent your neck pain from worsening. Now, suppose your doctor tells you that your condition doesn’t warrant urgent medical attention or that it’s not “life-threatening”, you should consider exploring the next most possible source of relief: Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
Sometimes worsening and persistent neck pain is due to an Upper Cervical misalignment. These misalignments do not resolve independently and may worsen if left unaddressed. That’s why it helps to consult an Upper Cervical Chiropractor like Symmetry Spinal Care. Our team can help you assess and resolve atlas bone misalignments with the help of carefully planned chiropractic adjustments. Prioritizing the health and alignment of your spine can help manage and alleviate neck pain effectively. We encourage you to book an appointment with our practice today!
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Schmaus, call our Edmonton office at 780-462-0447. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Is your neck pain not getting better? Are you sick and tired of treatment options that only work temporarily? Have you tried different exercises and improved your posture yet neck pain just keeps coming back and even getting worse? Should you try physical therapy or NUCCA Chiropractic in Edmonton? One of them may provide the lasting neck pain relief you’re seeking.
Before you say you’ve come to a dead end, have you tried these common options to ease neck pain?
Ice packs and hot pads can relieve an achy neck temporarily. They soothe the muscles and nerves and help heal damaged tissues. Use cold and heat alternatively for fifteen minutes to see improvements in your neckache.
Most of the time, neck pain stems from a mechanical strain or overexertion of the muscles. That’s why resting is one of the best ways to help the body recuperate.
The last thing you want is to put add-on pressure on your cervical spine. So, it would be best to observe proper posture, especially while standing, sitting, and walking. If you tilt your head at an awkward angle, its weight can gradually shift your neck bones and affect the attached muscles and ligaments, causing you significant pain and discomfort.
Physical therapy is among the most common sources of neck pain relief. It’s also an excellent option for strengthening the body. Physical therapists work closely with patients to identify painful parts of their body, such as the neck. Then, depending on the severity of the root cause of the problem, patients might need to perform assisted stretching and strengthening exercises.
According to a 2020 study, physical therapists focus on helping patients recover from nerve, joint, cartilage, spinal disc, and muscle injuries. In addition, therapists have to tailor-fit the approach based on pre-existing problems.
For example, you might need to tone and strengthen your deep neck flexors and shoulder muscles if you have built-up tension in your neck. Additionally, some therapists use cervical traction, a technique that gently extends the neck to stretch the muscles and dislodged fuse bones or stiff joints.
NUCCA Chiropractic is among the first options for people with an achy neck. Its gentle approach works wonders for various age groups, including kids and pregnant women. It works by carefully moving back the misaligned neck bones to proper alignment. The adjustments help improve blood flow and signal transmission to your brain, which can help facilitate faster body recovery and healing.
In a case study, an older adult man with rheumatoid arthritis found relief from headaches and neck pain after undergoing eight upper cervical adjustments using the NUCCA technique. The patient was delighted to report the complete resolution of his headaches and neck pain right after his first adjustment, and he was able to discontinue his medication soon after.
Mild to severe neck pain can be incredibly frustrating to deal with. But thankfully, you can help your body heal and return to its former glory with NUCCA Chiropractic in Edmonton. Carefully planned chiropractic adjustments are provided to each patient who visits our practice at 7654 – 156 Street, Edmonton, AB. Each patient undergoes thorough assessment of the topmost neck bones along with their alignment with the skull. This way, we can provide the best care possible.
We suggest booking your consultation online so our upper cervical doctor can look at your cervical spine and provide the necessary NUCCA Chiropractic adjustments.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Schmaus, call our Edmonton office at 780-462-0447. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Have you been looking for a way to remedy your neck pain? Home remedies may ease the pain but only temporarily, so before taking any steps to try treatment for long-term relief, be sure to have a deeper understanding of neck pain. Who knows, you might find that you're a gentle adjustment away from seeing the condition improve with the help of our chiropractor in Edmonton!
Learn more about how to cope with neck pain using a natural and long-lasting remedy. Call our practice at 780-462-0447 to reach Dr. Schmaus or click the button below.
Sleep is the one thing that can be elusive for many people – especially for someone who experiences pain in their neck, back, or elsewhere in their body. Our clinic, Symmetry Spinal Care, is no stranger to hearing stories from patients looking for neck pain relief in Edmonton. Notably, most of them complain that they struggle to get quality sleep. And several of these individuals suspect their lack of ample shut-eye has something to do with their pillows.
When you've had a good night's sleep, you are more relaxed, patient, and pleasant to be around - just a more sociable person in general! However, when you don't get enough sleep – or if your sleep quality is poor – all of those things go out the window.
Studies explain that this happens because sleep directly impacts several aspects of health. Notably, many people fail to get a long and comfortable sleep because of certain factors, including:
The list goes on, and the sad part is that all these things impact your mental and physical well–being. That is why our very own Dr. Blair Schmaus often shares helpful sleeping tips to patients seeking lasting neck pain relief in Edmonton.
Long restorative sleep is essential to various physiological processes. For starters, it can help your body heal after an injury. Studies also explain that it helps your body ensure a smooth energy metabolism, so you feel energized and ready to take on daily challenges. Additionally, sound sleep will help you have better memory recall and improve your focus and creativity.
If you fail to get enough shut-eye at night, you become at risk of developing all kinds of problems, including:
When you think of a pillow, you would think fluffy, cute, and comfortable, but that is not always the case. Not all pillows are made with your health in mind, so your choice of pillow purchase directly affects your sleep and health. The wrong pillow can cause chronic neck pain because it may not provide adequate support to your head, shoulders, and spine. So if you're having trouble sleeping or waking up in pain, it might be time for a new pillow!
The right pillow should be comfortable, supportive, and adjustable. A pillow that feels good on your shoulders, neck, and head will help you achieve a better night's sleep. Be sure to choose a pillow that is the right size for your body. It may not provide proper support if it's too large or small for your frame.
Look for one that is flexible or adjustable in height so you can customize the support it provides based on what feels best for you at any given moment during the night or day. The ideal sleeping position is slightly upright (this also helps prevent snoring), but some people like to lay flat, while others need more of an incline to breathe better or avoid neck pains or headaches.
In addition, choose a pillow with the right firmness for your body. If you like soft cushions, look for one with a hypersoft (H5) rating, which means it will be softer than most average pillows but firmer than a foam pillow. If you prefer harder pillows, look for one with an H7 rating. It will be firmer than most average pillows but softer than a memory foam pillow.
Pricing is another factor worth considering – especially if money is tight! You might even want to check out an online coupon code before buying something new, so there's no surprise at checkout time.
If your neck pain has been troubling you for some time, your recent pillow change won't be enough to make everything feel better immediately. We suggest you complement your new shut-eye cushions with upper cervical chiropractic care – the most effective neck pain relief in Edmonton, Alberta.
Upper cervical chiropractic care can help with not just neck pain but also other body pains you may have. It can improve your posture and sleep, as well, which has a positive impact on your overall health.
Upper cervical chiropractic is a specialized spinal care approach focusing on the upper part of your spine. It focuses on the topmost vertebral bones that sit underneath your head. You can help ease the bones back in place by receiving ample adjustments and removing pressure on your neck muscles and the nerves that supply them.
At Symmetry Spinal Care, we have relieved many neck and body pains through upper cervical chiropractic. Our upper cervical doctor, Dr. Schmaus, studies each cervical subluxation case with great care and attention to help each patient receive the best care.
If you're seeking relief from chronic headaches or back pain, give this Edmonton-area clinic a call! You can reach us at (780) 462-0447 or via email at frontdesk@symmetryspinalcare.com.
We are open Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 am to 6 pm, Thursdays from 8:30 am to 6 pm, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays from 8 am to 3 pm.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Schmaus, call our Edmonton office at 780-462-0447. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
