Types of Neck Pain and Chiropractic Treatment

Neck pain is common but manifests differently for everyone, even when the underlying anatomical issue is the same. However, the better you can describe your neck pain, the better your care team can understand the underlying problem, increasing the chances of getting help.

At Functional Chiropractic and Laser, we diagnose and treat nearly all types of neck pains and related symptoms without using drugs.

Here are the seven different types of neck pain.

Muscle Pain

Muscle strains, sprains, and tears are the most common neck pain catalysts. These can happen when you overextend neck muscle and tear the layer of connective tissue. The tear weakens the muscle and causes pain. The bigger the overexertion, the worse the inflammation, swelling, pain, and recovery period.

Some causes of muscle pain include:

• Prolonged physical stress

• Emotional stress

Muscle Spasm

A muscle spasm is a sudden, painful contraction of the muscles. When you have a muscle spasm, your neck might feel tight, making it difficult to turn your head. Muscle spasm usually stems from:

• Muscle injury

• Spinal disc issues

• Nerve problems

• Emotional stress

Headache

Neck-related headaches often affect the back of the head and the upper neck. The pain stems from muscle tension or spasm and is usually dull rather than sharp. Your neck might also feel stiff and tender. Moving your neck may worsen the headache.

Nerve Pain

Nerve pain in the neck is associated with sharp, fleeting, and severe pain accompanied by pins and needles irritation. The pain may shoot down the arm or hands, depending on the nerve involved.

Facet Joint Pain

Facet neck pain is described as a deep, sharp, or aching pain in the facial joints that worsens when you turn your head to the affected side. The pain may radiate to your shoulder or upper back.

Bone Pain

Bone pain entails pain and tenderness in the cervical vertebrae. While less common, bone pain is usually severe and requires medical attention because it’s a sign of a more serious problem.

Referred Pain

Referred pain is neck pain triggered by a problem in another body part. For instance, neck pain when you eat may stem from the oesophagus, while one that worsens with exertion may indicate a heart problem.

Schedule Your Consultation

Don't let neck issues control your life. If you or someone you know is struggling with neck problems, our experienced chiropractic team is here to help.

Schedule an appointment with our Shakopee chiropractic team at Functional Chiropractic and Laser to discuss your unique situation and explore natural, non-invasive solutions for pain relief and improved spinal health.

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