Neck pain treatment

Available at Lake Forest, San Diego, and Spring Valley

Neck pain is stiffness or aching in the neck, often from repeated strain such as computer work, an awkward sleeping position or keeping the head turned for long periods. Chiropractic care may help by easing muscle tension, gently adjusting the neck and changing the daily habits that keep the pain going.

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When to seek urgent care

Most neck pain is muscular or joint-related, but get urgent medical care if neck pain comes with:

  • A fever or a stiff neck with headache and feeling unwell
  • Weight loss you cannot explain
  • A fall, crash or other trauma
  • Sudden weakness in an arm or leg

Go to an emergency room or call your doctor straight away.

Why neck pain starts

Our chiropractors see many people whose neck pain affects their work, sleep and daily movement. Most of the time it comes from repetitive strain: working at a computer all day, sleeping in an awkward position or keeping the head turned for long periods.

Neck pain is one of the most common conditions we treat. Left alone, it can lead to headaches, numbness and tingling in the arm or hand, and wrist problems. The first step is a consultation to understand your symptoms and decide on the right treatment path.

Habits that cause neck pain

Several everyday habits add up to neck pain, including:

  • Working at a computer for long hours
  • Keeping the head tilted or turned while working or watching TV
  • Sleeping on the stomach with the head turned to one side all night

Stomach sleeping in particular keeps the neck and low back under tension all night, so they never get a chance to rest and recover. If you sleep on your stomach, changing that habit is one of the most important steps in your recovery.

Double crush: when the neck and wrist are both involved

People who work at a computer often come in with more than neck pain. They may also have numbness or tingling in the arm or hand, and wrist pain from using a mouse and keyboard.

When a nerve is irritated at both the neck and the wrist, it is called a double crush. We address both areas as part of the plan, including gentle care for the wrist.

How we examine neck pain

Your visit starts with a thorough history and physical exam. We ask about your daily routine, your workstation and how you sleep, then check your posture, neck movement, muscles and nerves. If you have pain, numbness or tingling in your arms, hands or fingers, X-rays may be taken when clinically needed.

If we find degeneration, which is osteoarthritis of the spine, we factor that into your care plan. Supplements are available at our offices, and your chiropractor can talk with you about whether any suit you.

After the exam we sit down with you and go over your plan, including how your workstation is set up. If the posture that strains your neck is not changed, healing takes much longer. We give you stretches, ask you to take breaks through the day and may suggest icing the area a few times a day to help calm inflammation.

Your neck pain treatment plan

Neck pain care moves through phases. The first phase focuses on easing pain, spasm and inflammation. The second focuses on strengthening the muscles that support the neck so they can hold your posture through the day.

At each visit your chiropractor works on the muscles on either side of the spine with trigger point therapy or active release techniques to ease tension before a gentle adjustment. This helps the adjustment hold better. How many visits you need depends on how severe the problem is, your daily habits and how well you keep up with your exercises.

Typical symptoms

  • Stiffness and reduced turning of the head
  • Aching or sharp pain in the neck and upper shoulders
  • Headaches starting at the base of the skull
  • Muscle spasm or knots along the neck and shoulder blade
  • Tingling or numbness in the arm or hand when a nerve is involved

Patient case studies

Neck pain with arm and wrist symptoms

Patient
A woman who worked at a computer all day.
Symptoms
Neck pain, headaches, and numbness and tingling in the arm and hand, with wrist involvement from mouse and keyboard use.
Findings
Repetitive strain from long hours at the computer, with nerve irritation at both the neck and the wrist (a double crush).
Care
A regular plan of adjustments and soft tissue work, a corrected workstation, stretching, breaks through the day, icing to calm inflammation and gentle care for the wrist. Once the pain settled, she moved on to strengthening exercises to help her neck muscles support her posture.
Outcome
Her numbness and tingling eased over the first month. She went on to recover fully, with no neck pain, headaches, numbness or tingling, and returned to the activities she enjoys, including pickleball. She comes in now and then for check-ups.

Neck pain after a rear-end collision

Patient
A man who was rear-ended in a car accident and had whiplash.
Symptoms
Neck pain, headaches, and numbness and tingling in some fingers. He rated his pain 8 out of 10.
Findings
Whiplash. An MRI was ordered to check whether a disc was pressing on a nerve or whether the symptoms came from muscle spasm and inflammation.
Care
A standard chiropractic plan including adjustments and trigger point therapy.
Outcome
After a month of care his neck pain and headaches had eased, with pain down to 0 or 1 out of 10. He continued care for the numbness and tingling in his hand.

Individual results vary.

Care that may be part of your plan

Your chiropractor recommends care after your exam. Some therapies are offered only at certain offices.

From the blog

Book a visit for neck pain

Neck pain is treated at all 3 Greenlight offices.

Your questions,
answered

About neck pain care at Greenlight.

Is chiropractic care safe for neck pain?

Care uses controlled, gentle techniques suited to you. Our chiropractors avoid forceful adjustments when they are not needed and can use instrument-assisted techniques if you would rather not hear popping or cracking sounds.

Can chiropractic help long-standing neck pain?

It can for many people with muscle and joint-related neck pain. The key is staying consistent with your plan and changing the daily habits that keep the pain going.

How many sessions will I need?

Every case is different. How quickly you progress depends on how severe the problem is, your daily habits and how well you keep up with your exercises. Your chiropractor will explain your plan after the exam.

Does neck pain treatment hurt?

Most people find it comfortable. We ease muscle tension before each adjustment, and instrument-based adjustments are available if you are nervous.

Will insurance cover neck pain treatment?

Coverage varies by plan. All three offices accept Medicare, VA and most major insurance plans. We do not accept Medi-Cal. Our team can help check your benefits.

When should I get neck pain checked?

If your neck pain is not improving, or you have headaches or numbness or tingling in your arm or hand, it is worth having it examined. Early care helps keep a problem from becoming long-term. Neck pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, trauma or sudden weakness needs urgent medical care.

What can I do at home between visits?

Take regular breaks from the screen, set up your workstation so you face it straight on, avoid sleeping on your stomach, do the stretches your chiropractor gives you and ice the area a few times a day if it is inflamed.

What kind of pillow is best for neck pain?

Choose a pillow that keeps your neck level with the rest of your spine: a little thicker if you sleep on your side, thinner if you sleep on your back. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.

Should I use heat or ice on my neck?

Ice can help calm a new or inflamed area. Heat may feel better for general muscle tightness. Use either for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.