A sudden-onset of neck pain is common. Two out of three of us will have neck pain at some time in our lives. In most cases it is not due to a serious disease or neck problem and often the exact cause for the pain is not clear.  Chiropractic care offers neck pain treatment plans specific to your needs.

Your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, so it can be vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes may include:  Muscle strain, worn joints, nerve compression, injuries, and diseases.

Shoulder pain can be connected to neck pain.  Shoulders may be part of your neck pain treatment plan.  Neck and shoulder pain commonly overlap because the neck and shoulder are intimately connected by multiple nerve pathways. When injury occurs, the brain can’t always trace pain pathways back to their source, and what we feel may not be what is really going on. This is called referred pain. Other shoulder pain causes may include: arthritis, torn cartilage, a torn rotator cuff, instability, or swelling of the bursa sacs which protect the shoulder.

The upper back is very different in form and function than the neck. While the neck and lower back are designed to provide us with mobility, the upper back is designed to be very strong and stable to allow us to stand upright and to protect the vital internal organs in the chest. This section of the spinal column has a great deal of stability and only limited movement.  The most common causes of upper back pain are muscular irritation and joint dysfunction. Neck pain treatment may offer relief from upper back pain.

Do I Need Neck Pain Treatment?

When to see a chiropractor for neck pain, shoulder pain, or upper back pain:

• Stiffness does not improve after a few days
• You cannot look right or left without severe pain
• You feel like you must use over-the-counter pain medications just to make it through the day
• You are worried that your neck pain, shoulder pain, or upper back pain may have a serious cause
• The pain has moved to numbness or tingling in your hands or wrists
• The pain started within a few days of an auto accident – especially neck pain
• The pain is worse when you wake up in the morning, but then begins to feel a little better as the day progresses

Is it time to seek chiropractic help for neck pain relief, shoulder pain relief, or upper back pain relief?  Contact a Longmont Chiropractor or Longmont Massage Therapist at the Cafe of Life for a consultation.