Neck Pain – When Should I Come In?
Neck pain is one of the most common complaints patients have when they come to a chiropractic office for the first time, second only to
low back pain. Neck pain affects all of us at some point in life, and for some, it can become a chronic, permanent problem that can
interfere with many desired activities and lower their quality of life. There are many different causes, and prompt evaluation and
treatment is important is some cases.
Neck pain and stiffness are the two most common symptoms that present for
evaluation and treatment. This can be located in the middle of the neck and/or on either
side and can extend down to the shoulders and / or chest. It can contribute to or cause
tension headaches that can travel up the back of the head and sometimes behind the
eyes. Pain often increases with neck movement, such as when turning the head to
check traffic while driving and/or it can hurt at rest while held in static positions, such as
when reading a book. Neck pain can come on gradually or quickly and often cannot be
traced to a specific injury or cause making it a challenge to figure out. While neck pain
is often not serious or life-threatening, there are causes that should be evaluated
promptly. If you wake up with acute neck pain associated with very limited range of
motion, this may be due to torticollis, or wry neck, and prompt treatment helps it resolve
more quickly than “waiting it out.” Torticollis can be caused by exposure to a draft,
changes in weather, trauma, or after a cold or flu. When in doubt, come in for an
evaluation and treatment, as anxiety associated with the “fear of the unknown” only
adds to the stress associated with neck pain and it’s ALWAYS best to be “…safe than
sorry!”
Numbness or tingling may accompany neck pain and can be located in the face, arms, hands, and/or fingers. This is one of those times
to come in promptly, as these symptoms may indicate the pinching of a nerve root in the neck. There are MANY chiropractic treatment
approaches that effectively treat nerve root pinching, and treatment should NOT be delayed. Other common symptoms may include
clicking, crunching, or grinding noises, technically called crepitus, which may or may not be benign. If the noise is accompanied by pain,
especially if it radiates down to the shoulder blades or arms (either side or both), it’s time to promptly come in. Any time symptoms
occur acutely or come on fast, it’s best to get evaluated as soon as possible.
Dizziness is another common symptom that can result from neck problems and is often associated with movement such as rising from
laying or sitting. Certain positions of the neck can also bring on dizziness. This is sometimes caused by the “stones” in the inner ear
shifting out of position and is technically called BPPV or “benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.” When this occurs, we can usually
manage it very well with treatment and specific BPPV exercises. Other times, dizziness may be due to a restriction in blood flow
reaching the brain. In which case, a prompt evaluation is VERY appropriate, especially if blackouts occur.
Sleep interruption or difficulty falling asleep are other good reasons to seek prompt evaluation and treatment. Sleep loss can lead to
many problems such as excessive fatigue, tiredness, irritability, and just generally feeling poor! Remember, prompt care usually results
in prompt resolution!
Content Courtesy of Chiro-Trust.org. Used with Permission. All Rights Reserved.