Chronic neck pain can strike when we least expect it. You may have over-exerted yourself at work, slept wrong, or are suffering the symptoms of a chronic condition. You might have been involved in an accident, but did not suffer an obvious neck injury or feel pain right away. Now, just 24 hours after the incident, you are suffering from pain that makes it difficult to sleep, get up and move.

Some of the most common injuries associated with car accidents, impact sports, and other trauma involve the neck. The structures of the neck, known also as the cervical spine, are very delicate. Small bones known as vertebrae are separated by jelly-like discs, which are supported by a network of muscles and tendons. Not to mention, the neck supports the weight of the head, which can be as heavy as a bowling ball.

Chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative diseases can drastically impact the structures of the neck, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Likewise, when trauma like a car crash or other rapid impact jerks the neck back and forth, the muscles within the neck can be strained or sprained. This injury is known as whiplash, and more than 3 million cases occur each year. Try these neck exercises at home to help relieve neck pain naturally.

If you have suffered a neck injury, you can find relief with ChiroCare of Florida. Stop pain in its tracks, so you can get back to work and get back to living. ChiroCare of Florida’s doctors are ready to help fulfill your rehabilitation needs so that you get your life back. Find the answers to all of your neck pain questions online.

Table of Contents

Symptoms

The neck is under constant pressure, as it is responsible for keeping the head upright and aiding in its motions. This responsibility and constant wear and tear is what makes the neck so susceptible to injury through chronic pain. However, the structures of the neck can also be easily damaged through trauma, either through over-work, stress, falls, or other accidents.

Many neck muscles experience injury, however,  are not seen until an MRI or CT scan is performed. In addition to pain in the neck, other symptoms that are a sign of neck injury include:

  • Headaches
  • Pain in the shoulder or upper arms
  • Reduced range of motion in the neck
  • Numbness or weakness around the neck
  • Muscle spasms

As some injuries may involve the spinal cord, a person can also experience pain in the extremities, like the arms and hands, if their neck has been injured.

Types of Injuries

The most common neck injury is whiplash. However, whiplash may fall into two categories, a neck sprain or a neck strain. A sprain will involve the stretching or tearing of the ligaments in the neck. A strain will involve the stretching or tearing of the muscles in the neck.

Some other neck injuries might include:

  • Neck fracture
  • Herniated disc
  • Cervical dislocation
  • Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve)

Likewise, many chronic conditions can result in neck pain. Pain in the cervical spine can result from neck disorders such as:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Congenital torticollis (twisted neck)
  • Spondylosis (cervical disc degeneration)

In rare cases, neck pain can also be the result of tumors or infection, such as meningitis. The urgency of these conditions is why the doctors at ChiroCare of Florida urge each patient to visit one of our offices as soon as neck pain arises.

Neck Pain Treatment

The injury you suffered will determine the type of neck pain treatment you will need to recover from the trauma. You may need the use of a brace and then rehabilitation to get your range of motion back. Those who suffer a herniated disc, neck fracture, whiplash or another type of neck injury in an accident might need months of physical therapy and chiropractic treatment.

Those suffering from chronic conditions can benefit from regular chiropractic adjustments, an adjusted lifestyle, as well as nutritional and fitness advice, all available from the trusted physicians at ChiroCare of Florida. Poor posture can make your neck pain worse.

An experienced ChiroCare of Florida physician can examine your injuries and determine a neck pain treatment plan that works best for you. When you reach out to the professionals at ChiroCare of Florida, you can trust that you’re putting your well-being in the right hands.

Stop living with pain and ask about the treatments for neck pain at ChiroCare of Florida today. With 11 facilities in South Florida, there is a ChiroCare of Florida office near you.

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