Neck pain is an increasingly common ailment with technology getting much of the blame. How much of what you read about neck pain online is accurate? We’re going to look at 7 common misconceptions involving neck pain. After that, we will look at a form of chiropractic that specifically focuses on the neck. This can provide fast and long-lasting relief from neck pain.

Myth #1 – All You Need to Do Is Rest

Whether a person is suffering from neck pain or back pain, bed rest is often the first suggestion. However, being sedentary can actually increase pain. This is especially true if your pillow is part of the problem or if you fail to maintain proper posture while resting. If technology is a contributing factor, lying in bed and binge-watching of Netflix isn’t going to help things get better.

Myth #2 – My Doctor Couldn’t Find the Cause of My Pain, So I Must Be Imagining It

Just because a general practitioner couldn’t find the cause of your pain is no reason to immediately jump to the conclusion that it is all in your head. For example, a family doctor is not specifically trained to find upper cervical misalignments that could be the underlying cause of the pain. A standard x-ray won’t show you misalignments down to the hundredths of a degree, which is all that is necessary to cause problems.

Myth #3 – My Neck Pain Is Hereditary

The majority of neck problems do not have a genetic predisposition. Therefore, even if your parents have chronic neck pain, don’t assume that yours is unavoidable or unfixable. Assuming a painful condition is hereditary may stop someone from seeking out care that could have relieved the pain.

Myth #4 – Neck Pain Is Just a Part of Getting Older

This is another myth that causes many not to seek out proper care for pain. It’s true that older ones seem to have more aches and pains, but that doesn’t mean every ache and pain is par for the course. Some neck pain is treatable, and you shouldn’t live neck pain based on a misconception.

Myth #5 – Only Blue-Collar Workers Get Neck Pain on the Job

While heavy lifting and other forms of manual labor can certainly lead to neck problems, a cushy office job can be just as bad. Things like having poor posture while seated at a desk, holding a phone between the neck and shoulder, and not having monitors at eye level can all lead to neck strain and eventual pain. Also, the overuse of mobile devices can cause neck problems since leaning the head forward increases pressure from the weight of the head. Craning the neck at a 60-degree angle can place 60 pounds of pressure on the spine even though the head only weighs 10-12 pounds on its own.

Myth #6 – There Is No Way to Counteract Poor Posture

Some people feel that poor pasture feels more natural than proper posture. This is usually an indication of changes in vertebrae alignment and soft tissue. When the spine is properly aligned, good posture should feel natural rather than slouching. It is important to pay attention to posture as this can seriously affect overall spine health.

Myth #7 – “It’s Just Pain – I Can Live with It”

Have you ever caught yourself thinking this and just trying to tough it out? Then you will want to pay attention to a study performed by Australian researchers. It revealed that spinal pain, whether in the neck or lower back, increased mortality rate by 13% and that the longer a person has neck or back pain the more the rate increased.  As a result, the authors of the study recommended having spinal pain checked and corrected as soon as possible to promote longevity.

Find Safe, Effective Care for Neck Pain

Clearly, neck pain is a troubling epidemic that can sap quality of life and even lead to a shorter life. It is therefore vital to find a way to reduce or end neck pain. One form of care that offers a natural solution is upper cervical chiropractic. Why is this different than just seeing a general chiropractor?

• Gentle – Upper cervical chiropractors use low-force corrections rather than the popping and twisting of general chiropractic.
• Focused – Rather than adjusting the entire spine, upper cervical practitioners focus on the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) at the top of the spine. We believe this is a superior approach because the rest of the spine follows the lead of the top bones. Also, these bones protect the brainstem, and help to facilitate blood flow to the brain, making proper alignment even more vital.
• Precise – Diagnostic imaging is used to determine misalignments down to a fraction of a millimeter. This allows for a more precise and long-lasting adjustment. Adjustments that hold longer also make this a cost-effective form of care since you won’t need to see the chiropractor as often once alignment begins to hold on its own.

For all of these reasons, more and more people are turning to upper cervical chiropractic for neck pain relief. When the top bones of the spine are in place, pinched nerves may be relieved and soft tissue can return to its normal position and have time to heal. As a result, neck pain may feel better right from your first adjustment and continue to recede with time. To learn more, contact an upper cervical chiropractic practitioner in your area and schedule a no-obligation consultation.

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