Neck Pain

What are the common causes of neck pain?

Neck pain can stem from an injury to the neck, such as whiplash, or from a herniated disc, or it can be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as fibromyalgia, infection, or other disease.

The neck is technically the cervical spine, and is made up of vertebrae with discs in between. Herniated or ruptured discs in the cervical spine, caused by injury or degenerative disc disease, can cause pain.

The type of pain -- whether it’s tingling, radiating, numbness, or something else -- helps Dr. Walker and the team pinpoint the cause of your pain and create a treatment plan that works for you.

What types of treatments successfully relieve neck pain?

In order to determine the most effective treatment plan for your neck discomfort, Dr. Walker and the team do a thorough evaluation. Some possible treatments include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
  
  • Mechanical neck pain -- or pain caused by dysfunction of the joints in the neck -- can be effectively treated with chiropractic adjustments. Patients treated with chiropractic care had a greater reduction in pain than those treated with medication, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and published in 2012.
• Physical therapy
  
  • Active therapy can help strengthen the muscles of the neck and improve flexibility and posture, which could help prevent future neck pain.

Are there other treatments for neck pain?

Spinal decompression therapy may be the best treatment for your neck pain if the discs between your vertebrae are compressed. Decompression therapy can be done manually or mechanically using a traction table or other device.

With manual decompression, Dr. Walker and the team apply pressure with their hands or other instruments to stretch the spine. A traction table may be used to perform mechanical spinal decompression. A traction table can combine pressure, heat, and vibration.

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