Neck Pain Treatment Naperville
Neck pain can make it difficult to turn your head, work at a computer, sleep, drive a car, and exercise, among other things. Our neck pain treatment in Naperville at Wang Family Chiropractic aims to discover the cause of your neck pain, get your neck back in motion, and get you back to a normal, healthy lifestyle.
Neck pain has a way of taking over your day. It makes turning your head to reverse the car uncomfortable; it follows you for eight hours at the desk, and it often reappears at the end of the day as a headache. You’re not the only one suffering from it. In 2020, there were an estimated 203 million people worldwide suffering from neck pain, and this figure is projected to increase by about 32.5% to 269 million by 2050 (GBD Study 2021). This is one of the most frequent complaints that we see, and one of the most treatable.
From working for long hours at a desk to an awkward sleeping position, repetitive activity, sports injuries, or an auto accident, your symptoms could have started for a variety of reasons and should not be treated with a cookie-cutter approach.
Causes of Neck Pain
Neck Pain may have numerous causes. Some cases come on rapidly following an injury; others may develop over time due to poor posture, repeated movement, muscle tension, or changes in the cervical spine.
The neck can be strained from everyday activities, including sitting at a poorly placed monitor, sleeping in an awkward posture, or lifting with poor posture. Falls and Auto accidents will result in more severe injuries and should be assessed accordingly. The aim at Wang Family Chiropractic is to gain insight into what could be causing your symptoms before suggesting a suitable path of treatment.
Common causes or contributing factors are:
- Sitting or standing in an incorrect position.
- Excessive use of a computer, tablet, or smartphone
- An improperly positioned monitor or workstation:
- Lack of adequate neck support while lying down.
- Any neck or shoulder motion that is repetitive or overused.
- Also known as overexertion or strain from working out or from lifting something.
- Myelopathy caused by whiplash from a vehicle crash.
- A fall, sports injury, or other trauma.
- Stiffness in the joints or due to age changes.
- Swelling or inflammation of the discs in the neck area.
- Stress-related muscle tension
- Preexisting injuries not properly treated.
Neck Pain Treatments: Finding the Right Approach
Since various conditions can cause similar symptoms, it is important to determine the cause of the pain before selecting a treatment that is most effective. In this content, you will learn about the various treatments available for neck pain and how to choose the best option for your specific condition.
People who suddenly find their neck stiff are looking for “how to cure neck pain fast” advice. While it is understandable to seek relief right away, the reality is that there is no “one-off” solution that is suitable for all patients. The correct method will depend upon the underlying cause of the pain, the duration of the pain, and whether or not there is an involvement of nerves or other structures.
First aid for a mild muscle strain includes changing the activity that may aggravate the injury, avoiding some movement, and using heat/cold therapy as needed. If the pain is ongoing, progressively increasing, or recurring, it is best to seek professional help and more structured rehabilitation plans.
A personalized neck pain treatment plan may include:
- Chiropractic or manual care
- Gentle joint mobilization
- Soft-tissue therapy
- Therapeutic stretching
- Tightening your neck and upper back
- Correct posture and ergonomic correction
- Home exercise program, tailored to the individual.
- Referrals for medical care or diagnostic testing as needed
Treatment of stiff neck pain typically depends on the symptoms and examination of the neck and is the best treatment to recommend for the patient. A good management plan won’t just be a band-aid for discomfort but will try to tackle the cause of the discomfort and make it less likely to happen again.
Identifying the Cause of Your Neck Pain
The first step in a successful plan for neck pain is to determine when the pain began and which movements, positions, or activities aggravate or relieve pain.
The evaluation may consist of a discussion of any of the following:
- The area and severity of the pain in the body
- The onset of symptoms and onset of illness (when they began and how long they have persisted)
- Any recent falls, accidents, or sports injuries
- Previous neck or shoulder problems
- Headaches, dizziness, or jaw pain
- Pain that radiates into the shoulder or arm.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Postures for work, sleep, and exercise.
Chiropractic Neck Pain Treatment
Once a suitable examination is completed, chiropractic therapy may be part of a customized, conservative treatment program for Neck Pain. The choice of treatment techniques should be determined by the patient’s condition and level of comfort, health history, age, and examination findings.
Uses gentle cervical mobilization, carefully chosen chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue techniques, and exercises designed to help improve movement and function, dependent upon the individual. The technique is not the same for all people, and not all neck pain is treated the same.
Spinal manipulation can benefit acute neck pain, and manipulation or mobilization can be beneficial for some people with chronic neck pain, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. There is some good evidence, but it is not all good, and careful screening of the patient and an individualized approach are important.
The physical exam can evaluate postures, cervical ROM, muscle tension, joint mobility, strength, reflexes, and sensation. Where the findings indicate a need for medical imaging or a referral to another health care professional, an appropriate referral should be made.
Seek immediate medical care if pain in the neck is due to a major trauma, or if the arm weakness is progressive, if the person has trouble walking, has trouble balancing, has trouble using the bladder or bowel, has trouble breathing or swallowing, or if the pain is a sign of a possible heart attack.
The goals of neck pain care at Wang Family Chiropractic may include helping to:
- Minimize pain and guarding of muscles.
- Enhance ease of neck movement to both sides & up/down
- Treat the inflamed or painful joints.
- Help maintain good posture and movement.
- Re-establish confidence in day-to-day life
- Develop a plan for longer-term self-management
A multimodal treatment plan might also incorporate exercise or other modalities when a combination of these treatments is warranted.
Therapy for Neck Pain and Supportive Care
Those looking for a “therapy neck pain” solution may be comparing hands-on treatment, stretching, strengthening, and home remedies. The best program is one chosen as a result of a test conducted instead of one copied from a general online program.
Some of the neck pain treatments that may help include:
Soft-Tissue Therapy
Tight and sensitive muscles around the neck, shoulders, and upper back may be treated with massage and other soft tissue techniques.
Mobility and Stretching
Slow, gentle movements can be used to restore range of motion and decrease stiffness. If an exercise causes arm pain, numbness, tingling or any other neurological symptom, it should be modified.
Strength and Stabilization
Strength, co-ordination and upper back muscle endurance can be improved by doing exercises for the neck, shoulder blades and upper back. This can be particularly beneficial for those who experience symptoms when using a desk for extended periods or repetitive tasks.
Posture and Ergonomic Guidance
Changes to the workstation or movement coaching and better lifting or telephoning posture can help minimise unnecessary strain on the cervical spine.
Home-Care Education
A home program might involve gentle mobility, strengthening, activity modification, and appropriate heat/cold. The mechanical therapy approach to neck pain usually involves manual therapy, exercise, posture correction, flexibility exercises, and functional training.
Healthy Habits for Neck Pain Relief in Naperville
When Neck Pain Relief starts to resolve, it doesn’t stop there. The way you use your neck every day can vary its sensations while using it at home, in exercise, and when you sleep.
Helpful strategies may include:
- Adjust your screen so that you don’t have to look down or turn your head repeatedly.
- Try not to be in the same position for too long.
- Take periodic exercise breaks while sitting at the computer or desk.
- Don’t cradle your phone between your head and shoulder.
- Make sure there is a pillow that will allow a comfortable, neutral neck position.
- Ramp up activity slowly following injury or flare-up.
- Do the mobility and strengthening exercises that are prescribed to you.
- Lift correctly and store easily used items.
- Notice any tension in the neck and shoulders that might be related to stress.
- Make an appointment for an evaluation if the symptoms return, travel into the arm or hand, or last a long time.
Being active, improving posture, restoring flexibility, and strengthening the muscles that support the neck can be crucial to the treatment and prevention of chronic neck pain.
Take the next step toward better movement and greater comfort. Schedule your neck pain treatment consultation with Wang Family Chiropractic in Naperville today.
