5 Most Common Causes of Neck Pain in Walnut Creek, CA

Nearly everyone at one point or another has woken up with a stiff neck or had neck pain after some type of injury. Most neck and back pain is caused by some type of issue concerning the spine, whether it be the vertebrae themselves or the soft tissues that support them. Though there can be more serious causes of neck pain, by far the most common include:

Muscle strain or spasm
Ligament sprain
Disc herniation
Osteoarthritis
Spondylolisthesis

Normally, the first course of action to address neck pain is to reach for a bottle of over-the-counter painkillers or anti-inflammatories. This might serve to provide some temporary relief, but if the problem doesn’t go away, chances are there is something going on that needs more attention. Contacting a Walnut Creek Chiropractor is a great place to start if your pain is persistent.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and chronic neck pain download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Help?

Upper cervical chiropractic takes a unique approach to neck pain. We take a very detailed look at the topmost vertebra in the neck, the atlas. The atlas (C1) vertebra, as well as the one that sits just below it, the axis (C2), have a completely different shape than the rest of the vertebrae in the neck. This is the case because these two vertebrae are responsible for the majority of the movement of our head. Because they’re so freely movable, they are more vulnerable to misaligning. When an atlas or axis misalignment occurs, it creates unequal muscle tension and compensation throughout the rest of the neck.

At Advance Upper Cervical Chiropractic, we will be able to determine if the source of your neck pain is due to an atlas or axis misalignment. If it is, we utilize precise and gentle adjusting techniques to restore normal alignment. Once normal alignment is accomplished, the affected tissues in the neck will be allowed to heal, reducing neck pain and discomfort. Many people also report that in addition to the relief of their neck pain, many other health conditions resolve as a result of upper cervical chiropractic care.

References:

http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/neck-and-back-pain/evaluation-of-neck-and-back-pain