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.
