The Internet has helped people access a massive amount of knowledge on different things, including popular remedies for common problems like neck pain. Sadly, it has also become a source of misinformation because of unverified accounts and the lack of control over the pieces of content published online. Because of this, some individuals fail to get the help they need from professionals like doctors who provide chiropractic atlas adjustments, physical therapists, and even rheumatologists. To help you avoid getting stuck in a similar situation, we gathered the top seven misleading beliefs about neck pain.    

#1. Only manual workers suffer from neck pain while on the job 

Many people assume that only blue-collar workers are susceptible to neck pain because of their physically demanding tasks. In truth, even white-collar workers suffer a similar fate because of prolonged sitting, poor work desk tech neck, and excessive gadget use. Everyone is at risk of developing neck pain with varying intensity levels and possible triggers.  

#2. All cases of neck pain are hereditary

According to a study, some cases of chronic neck pain in adults begin in the early childhood or adolescent years. The same study also explains that neck pain sometimes stems from genetic factors. However, it's crucial to note that some cases of achy necks happen because of other factors such as:

• Postural imbalances
• Worn out joints
• Compressed nerve
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Poor sleeping habits
• Whiplash injury
• Tumor growth
• Fibromyalgia
• Spinal stenosis

#3. Rest is all you need to ease an achy neck 

While resting can provide massive pain relief for some patients, some cases require extra care and attention. These cases include those that develop because of postural imbalances, disc degeneration, and joint inflammation. If you have any of these conditions, you might find it helpful to seek medical assistance, take medications, undergo therapy, or consider receiving a chiropractic atlas adjustment. 

#4. An achy neck means nothing 

Neck pain doesn't appear to be as severe as migraine attacks, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, or fibromyalgia. As a result, many people don't mind it and automatically assume that it doesn't mean anything else. However, sometimes neck pain indicates serious problems. Below are some accompanying symptoms of neck pain that require immediate assistance: 

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Unintended weight loss
• Intense headaches with stiff neck muscles
• Chills or fevers
• Tingling, weakness, or numbness in your arms and legs
• Radiating pain in arms and legs
• Loss of balance or coordination

#5. Only older people experience neck pain 

While an achy neck predominantly affects older people because of the prevalence of certain health problems, it can also impact kids, teenagers, and young adults. As a result, it's not surprising why patients who seek an upper cervical care doctor for a chiropractic atlas adjustment come from a broad spectrum of ages. 

#6. Neck pain only develops because of muscle damage or strain

As we have established in our discussion above, an achy neck can mean many things. And while it can most certainly indicate muscle strain or damage, sometimes you need to consider other causes like nerve pain and cervical subluxation. It would most definitely help to seek a comprehensive diagnosis when your neck pain becomes troublesome or doesn't resolve after using pain relievers or topical analgesics. 

#7. Surgery is the only option for neck pain relief

Not all conditions that trigger neck pain require surgical intervention. However, physicians can sometimes recommend this option to patients with age-related injuries such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs. It also becomes an imperative choice for people with the following problems: 

Cervical spine fracture

Cervical spine fractures and dislocations affect about half of the cases of spinal cord injuries in the USA. It requires immediate medical assistance because it can lead to significant spinal cord damage, paralysis, or death.  

Cervical myelopathy 

Compression can develop in various spine sections, depending on where you have postural imbalances. Sometimes, it can occur along the topmost portion of the neck and limit your head's range of motion. It can also impact the brainstem and trigger pain and pressure hypersensitivity. 

Cervical radiculopathy 

Nerve pinching in the neck affects 83 out of 100,000 people. It causes radiating pain in the neck that extends to the arms and fingers. Similar to cervical myelopathy, this condition also stems from 

If you want to know whether your case requires surgical intervention, we strongly suggest talking to your primary doctor. This will help you assess your risk and check for alternative neck pain relief options, such as receiving a chiropractic atlas adjustment.

Start getting chiropractic atlas adjustments 

Until today, neck pain remains a common health complaint in the USA. This trend might continue for many years because of prolonged work hours, poor diet choices, sedentary lifestyle, and increased risks for degenerative disc diseases. Thankfully, patients like you have plenty of options to relieve an achy neck. 

One good example of a neck pain remedy that many patients swear by is upper cervical care. It uses gentle adjustments to correct misalignments in the C1 and C2 bones. Several studies have found that neck pain can develop because of postural imbalances in the uppermost part of the neck. 

As it turns out, the C1 and C2 bones are highly susceptible to moving away from the body's central axis. Sometimes, they shift because of whiplash injuries or an intense blow to the cervical spine or head. They can also get displaced because of poor posture and degenerative disc diseases. 

Unfortunately, when your uppermost bones don't follow the body's natural curve, neighboring tissues like the muscles, nerve roots, and even joints also get compromised. It can lead to muscle stiffness, joint inflammation, nerve compression, and poor blood circulation. 

Naturally, if you want to address these problems, you will need to tap into upper cervical chiropractic. It has worked wonders for many patients, so you might want to check if your pain stems from misaligned C1 or C2. Schedule your appointment with a neck chiropractor and determine if you can benefit from getting a chiropractic atlas adjustment.

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