Neck pain is a common problem, but it's not always easy to diagnose. To make things worst, many misconceptions about neck pain and its causes prevent affected individuals from healing or coping better. In this blog post, we'll debunk some misleading beliefs and discuss what you can do if you have it or other upper cervical concerns.
Statistics reveal that about 288.7 million individuals have neck pain in the world. It affects various groups of people, including school-aged kids and aging individuals. It can also stem from several things, including traumatic injuries, migraines, postural misalignments, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and repetitive movements.
One of the most common misconceptions about neck pain is that you have to experience worse symptoms before getting better. This can be true, but not always. You may have heard this from friends, family members, or even your doctor: "The only way to know if your neck pain has gotten worse is when it gets better." While this statement might sound true at first glance, several factors affect how much your condition will improve over time.
If your neck pain has been bothering you for more than a couple of months, you must seek help from a general physician, a therapist, or an upper cervical chiropractor. Doing so will help you manage the impacts of your symptom and determine the adjustments you need to make to avoid complications.
This myth is a prevalent misconception about neck pain and its causes. When you have a problem with your neck, any movement can cause pain because of its sensitive nature and potential to be injured by moving parts of your body.
If you're experiencing discomfort when you turn or tilt your head, there may be something wrong with your muscles or ligaments—or both! And although it is advisable not to engage in any heavy lifting or abrupt neck movements, it is crucial to keep moving your neck slowly. This can help condition the muscles and release tension buildup to prevent muscle stiffness or soreness.
Besides the muscles, other structures can cause pain and discomfort in the upper cervical region. One example of which is the myofascial trigger point (MTBP). The MTBP can trigger noticeable neck soreness and stiffness when injured or irritated.
Another tissue or structure you should consider when you have neck pain is the nerve roots along the upper cervical. Dislodged C1 and C2 neck bones may have compressed your nerve roots, prompting them to transmit pain signals to your brain.
Your neck pain is more likely a symptom of something else than just a random pain your neck feels like having. It's not the cause, but one thing is for sure, and you should remember – when you are hurting from neck pain, something is wrong in the parts of your neck, and there is an underlying issue you should address to avoid permanent damage. Here's a closer look at these issues:
If your spine is curved more forward than it should be, this can put pressure on your upper back muscles and cause pain in this area. Fixing poor posture will help relieve most neck pain—but only if done correctly.
Stress can make people tense up their bodies in many ways; one way is by tightening certain muscles around the head and neck area, which puts extra pressure on those nerves that run through there. Another way stress causes physical problems like headaches or migraines is by causing inflammation in joints like those found inside our ears or eyes.
Contrary to the surface idea about chiropractic care, upper cervical care is gentle. It applies a small amount of pressure on the neck bones to gradually adjust their position and alleviate the tension they cause on nearby tissues. A licensed upper cervical chiropractor understands the delicate design and function of the C1 and C2 bones. So you can expect to feel minimal discomfort during the adjustment.
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a noninvasive spinal manipulation technique. Upper cervical doctors use their hands or specialized tools and apply minimal and well-calculated force on the neck to help patients heal and recover.
As with any medical concern, neck pain is not a single condition or symptom. It's also important to remember that "neck pain" doesn't encapsulate all your symptoms; it's just one part. The better you know the truths and lies of your pain, the easier it will be to address it and decide on a care plan that will be more fitting and effective for you and your lifestyle!
Upper cervical chiropractic care benefits people suffering from chronic neck pain because it helps them address one of its underlying causes. With regular visits and diligence in caring for your body, you will feel better and enjoy life again!
If you're suffering from neck pain, we hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions or want to speak with an upper cervical chiropractor, please take advantage of our free directory of credible chiropractors. You can find someone closest to you and schedule an appointment or shoot them a message about your inquiry.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
