Neck pain is one of the most common conditions today and is largely caused by altered biomechanics. The spine is designed with natural curvatures forward and backward to help your body absorb compressive forces.

In the neck, the spine should curve forward towards the throat. Due to bad habits, however, people frequently have a straight neck or even a reversed curvature. Poor posture and bad habits have a cumulative effect on the spine causing lasting damage.

Our chiropractic team at Meier Family Chiropractic uses specialized techniques to pinpoint the source of pain. Our techniques have proven effective in the past.

CAUSES OF NECK PAIN IN URBANDALE

The neck supports the weight of the head while providing a great deal of flexibility. The mid-back benefits from having the rib cage for extra support but the neck is much more vulnerable.

  1. Muscle Strain. Muscle strains are caused when a muscle is overstretched or torn as a result of overuse, fatigue, or improper use of a muscle. Any muscle can be strained but is most common in the neck/back, shoulder, or hamstring muscles. Muscles have tendons that attach to bones. Sports injuries and motor vehicle accidents are associated with muscle strains.
  2. Ligament Sprains. Ligaments are what connect bones to bones and a sprain is when the two joints are stretched beyond their normal range of motion. Usually, this results from falls, twisting, or specific trauma. When muscle strains/ligament sprains occur, there often is lasting damage.
  3. Degeneration. Any joint is susceptible to degeneration/osteoarthritis including the neck. Altered biomechanics, trauma, and age contribute to this degeneration. Joint spaces develop bone spurs, the space the spinal cord passes through can narrow, and the disc spaces between the joints can become thin. As a result, typically a person has a decreased range of motion.
  4. Nerve Compression. A nerve experiences compression most commonly due to degeneration. Swelling from trauma or (less likely) a mass could also cause nerve compression. Spinal nerves branch off of the spinal cord through small openings between the bones. Nerves communicate information about everything going on in your body to the brain. When a nerve is compressed a person might experience decreased muscle strength, numbness/tingling, and even muscle atrophy (chronic).
  5. Diseases. Less likely but still possible causes of neck pain could include cancer, meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions.

SYMPTOMS

  • Sharp pain, numbness, tingling, decreased range of motion.
  • Sometimes pain/numbness can shoot into the arm. Muscle weakness may also be present.
  • Headaches are common with neck pain.

Rid yourself of neck pain in Urbandale. Our team at Meier Family Chiropractic can provide relief to your neck pain. Feel free to contact us today.