What Can I Do To Get Rid Of This Neck Pain?
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: Neck pain is a very common complaint that chiropractors treat on a regular basis. Most people will experience neck pain during their lifetime requiring professional care and the choice between chiropractic or some other form of health care certainly exists. Chiropractic is a non-drug, non-surgical option many find appealing because of the many side effects of medications and no one wants to consider surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary and everything else has been tried first.
The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders published some good, sound statements about neck pain of which a few include:
- In most cases, don’t expect anyone to find a single “cause” for your neck pain.
- Stay as active as you can; simple exercises and reducing mental stress can help.
- A combination of therapies, including chiropractic care, may be needed.
First, trying to identify the “cause” of your neck pain is often tricky and sometimes impossible to trace. Don’t worry, that’s “normal” as most patients cannot trace it to one specific cause because it’s multifactorial or, caused by more than one event, often over a period of time.
Second, staying active and performing exercises can greatly help to reduce and sometimes prevent neck pain. One particular exercise that can be done multiple times per day and even in public places, as it’s not too conspicuous, is called chin tucks. Let’s try it together! While sitting, look straight ahead and tuck your chin towards your chest or, glide your head backwards. Hold the tucked position until you feel fatigue, which usually takes 5-15 seconds, and then slowly release the head poking your chin forwards in the opposite direction. Looking at this from the side, it sort of looks like a chicken when they walk! Repeat this exercise and emphasize the slow release, as if you’re in “slow motion,” gliding forwards and backwards holding the endpoints for 5-15 seconds per repetition. Start with 5 reps and over time, gradually increase the reps to 10 and repeat this several times each day. As a postural retraining process, when you’re sitting in your car, at your desk, watching TV, or in meetings, partially tuck in your chin so that the weight of your head (which is approximately 15 pounds) is centered back over your upper back and not poking forwards. This will GREATLY reduce the amount of muscle tension that commonly builds up during the day due to the increased muscle activity that is required to hold the weight of the head when it’s too far forward and away from the center of the body. Constantly remind yourself by maintaining a partial “chin tuck” during the day and perform the gliding exercises periodically, at least 3 times a day. Be patient as it takes about 3 months for this “new” posture to become automatic and your new “normal” habit.
If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service. We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Torticollis Neck Pain! What Is This Neck Pain?!
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: “When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t move my neck! Every time I try to move it, I feel sharp pain on the left side of the neck shooting down into the shoulder blade. It just came out of nowhere!”
Chances are, you are suffering from a common condition called torticollis – which is a typical neck pain which can be treated with chiropractic treatment, which literally means, “twisted neck” after the Latin terms of “torti” (twisted) and “collis” (neck). The common name for this is “wry neck,” and it’s basically a painful muscle spasm, like a “Charlie-horse” but located in the neck muscles. Usually, a person wakes up in the morning with this and the cause is often related to sleeping with the window being open or a fan or air conditioner blowing on you. It can also relate to a “cold settling in the muscle” after a cold or flu virus. Trauma such as falling or a car accident can also cause torticollis. However, most of the time, patients with torticollis are not sure what caused the abrupt onset of symptoms.
Usually, torticollis will gradually improve over a 2 week time frame. However, it only takes a few days to a week (at the most) if you receive chiropractic adjustments. Most importantly, without treatments, the sharp pain can last a week and can severely limit your activity, often prohibiting work as well as your desired “fun” activities. Hence, most people prefer having this treated as opposed to “waiting it out.” In some cases, it can last longer than a month and in rare cases even longer, so getting this treated is highly recommended. Also, try to get in for a treatment immediately before the muscle spasm really sets up. We find this to be the most effective approach. Here are a list of symptoms and treatment suggestions for torticollis:
Acute Torticollis Symptoms
- Muscle spasms
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Neck and spine contortion (neck twisted to right or left side of body)
Pain Relief Treatments for Acute Torticollis
- Chiropractic neck and spinal adjustment
- Analgesics
- Hot / Cold packs
- Muscle relaxants
- Rubs and ointments (Icy Hot, BioFreeze)
- Massage with essential oils
- Sleep / Relax
- Supportive cervical collar
If you, a family member or a friend require Torticollis care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service. We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
