Have you ever fallen asleep in a chair and woken up with a stiff neck? You’re not alone, but thankfully, a stiff neck usually resolves with a little TLC and a heating pad. But what if neck pain continues? Or what if you’re unsure of the cause of your neck pain?
Neck pain is extremely common, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less! At Premier Chiropractic, we take neck pain seriously. Whether you need acupuncture or chiropractic treatment, it’s our mission to help you get the relief you deserve.
In the meantime, this is what you need to know about neck pain.
Find the source of your pain
The first step to treating neck pain is to determine what’s causing your pain. Posture as well as underlying health conditions can contribute to neck pain, according to the experts at Mayo Clinic.
Issues with posture include:
- Straining your neck to read on a mobile device or computer
- Using poor posture while sitting or standing
- Sleeping on your stomach or using the wrong pillow
- Carrying a heavy purse or messenger bag on one shoulder
Neck pain can also be a symptom of another condition such as:
- Arthritis
- Bruxism (grinding your teeth)
- Pinched nerves
- Cervical stenosis
- Strains and sprains
Accidents — including whiplash or sports injuries — can also cause neck pain. Sometimes it’s easy to know why your neck hurts. For example, if you fall asleep in an odd position, you’ll probably wake up with a stiff neck. But sometimes it’s not obvious. Because it’s not always apparent what’s causing your pain, we encourage you to come visit us when your neck hurts.
Find relief at home
Once you know what’s causing your neck pain, there are many things you can do to ease neck pain, and many of these options are easy to try at home. This includes:
- Practice good posture while sitting, standing, and using mobile devices
- Hold your phone or e-reader at eye level when reading (rather than looking down)
- Considering good ergonomics when you set up your desk (e.g. keep your monitor at eye-level)
- Hot or cold therapy, especially if your pain is from a pulled muscle
If you’ve improved your posture and continue to experience neck pain, you might benefit from more chiropractic care.
Consider chiropractic care for neck pain
We know that a stiff neck can impact even the most simple daily tasks. That’s why we take our time during your physical exam. We’ll check your range of motion and your muscle strength — and your nerve function, too!
Depending on your specific condition, there are many different types of chiropractic care that you can provide relief. This includes:
- Stretching
- Soft tissue work
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic adjustments
We are with you throughout your entire journey. As your condition improves, we can even guide you with rehabilitation exercises to strengthen your neck and improve your range of motion.
Don’t ignore your stiff neck — we can help you!
Don’t let a kink in your neck put a kink in your day. At Premier Chiropractic, it’s our goal to help you feel better with customized care.
If your neck hurts, schedule an appointment at our Pearland, Texas clinic. You can also give us a call at 281-223-1172.