Learn About Neck Pain
The neck is made up of several bones, ligaments, and muscles, all of which support your head and allow for complex movements. Neck pain in the 4th leading cause of disability worldwide and has a lifetime prevalence of 71%, which means that most adults experience an attack at a point in their lifetime.
Prevalence peaks in middle age and is more common in women. Risk factors for neck pain include genetics, poor psychological health and previous musculoskeletal pain. Other external factors such as motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and other work-related injuries are also related to higher rates of neck pain.
While the majority of neck pain is mechanical in nature, the potential origins of the pain are numerous. Neck pain can be felt in various areas including chest, upper trapezius ridge, scapular region, sub-occipital regions of the head as well as in the jaw.
Neck pain is treatable, and there there are many different types of treatments to address neck injuries and associated pain. it is highly recommended to see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist determine what types of treatment would be most effective given your presentation. Both can be seen at our clinic in Burlington.
Symptoms of Neck Pain
Severe neck pain without apparent cause
Stiffness and difficulties moving the neck
Headaches
Weakness and general soreness
Cervical radiculopathy – challenges with reflexes, sensation or strength
Radicular pain – pain that radiated down the arm
Troubles gripping or lifting objects
How can neck pain affect you?
Neck pain can range from irritating to debilitating. Most neck pain gradually improves with therapy and home treatment, but in the meantime, it can impact your ability to perform your day to day tasks and very likely make you tired and irritable. Early intervention is helpful at reducing the recovery process and allows you to make changes in your everyday life that might be aggravating the symptoms.
What causes neck pain?
- 5Poor posture.
- 5Working at a desk for too long without changing position, or having a poor office set-up.
- 5Sleeping with your neck in a bad position.
- 5Jerking your neck during exercise.
- 5The neck is vulnerable to injury, especially in falls, car accidents, and sports, where the muscles and ligaments of the neck are forced to move outside of their normal range.
- 5Osteoporosis is a weakness of the bones which can, in turn, lead to small fractures or stiffness and pain in the neck.
- 5Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes muscle pain throughout the body leading to neck pain and headaches.
- 5As we get older the cervical vertebrae can degenerate which means the space between the bones narrows. This can add stress to the joints in the neck leading to pain and stiffness.
- 5Herniated cervical disks are also known as a ruptured or slipped disk as a result of a trauma or injury. This can add pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots leading to pain in the neck.
- 5Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column, which leads to pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
How can our chiropractors help you with neck pain?
Our chiropractors at Pillars of Wellness are experienced in neck dysfunction and treatment. Various techniques are employed depending on the nature of the injury, time since the injury onset, contraindications, symptom reporting and the client’s comfort levels.
Once the initial assessment is completed, the chiropractor will be able to suggest the best course of action and provide an individualized treatment plan. Often treatment sessions are more intensive at the start or therapy and slowly ween down as the client’s symptoms improve. A combination of hands-on soft tissue therapy, manipulation and mobilization, stretching, exercises, acupuncture and other modalities are likely to be utilized during the treatment protocol.
Prevention
Prevention is always best practises, however it requires consistency and commitment!! Below are a few suggestions:
Use good posture and stay active
Take frequent breaks while working at your computer
Adjust your desk, chair and computer
Avoid carrying heavy bags with straps over your shoulders or one shoulder
Sleep in a good position
Why choose Pillars of Wellness?
At Pillars of Wellness, in Burlington, Ontario, we are proud to provide a truly integrated care approach that employs a variety of treatments to achieve a faster recovery. Our clinic offers different services such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, naturopathy, counselling, occupational therapy, yoga therapy, acupuncture, and holistic nutrition.
With multiple diverse services and specialities in one place, you’ll get the best care possible — without having to look elsewhere. Pillars of Wellness is your one-stop-health solution, located right here in Burlington.
Last but not least, chiropractic is typically covered under most extended health insurance plans. If you do not have coverage, or have exceeded your coverage limits, you can consult with our Physiotherapists. Both Chiropractor’s and Physiotherapist’s have skills and techniques to treat and manage back injuries and associated symptoms.
Flexibility and accommodation to make your appointment viable and fit to your schedule
Highly recommended for everyone who is looking for friendly, warm and very professional help in physiotherapy. Flexibility and accommodation to make your appointment viable and fit to your schedule. Warm, new and clean environment going very well together with informative and friendly, professional personnel. My therapy clinical notes, invoices and appointment reminders were also available on line and on time. Khizar, Nancy, Thank you.
Feeling better by the day. Thank you so much!
This is the first time I give a review. I cannot say enough about this clinic. They are really amazing. Friendly, great customer service and helped me with a condition I have for years. Feeling better by the day. Thank you so much!
I was very impressed by their customer service and professionalism
I recently used Pillars of Wellness services for my injuries. I was very impressed by their customer service and professionalism. The first time I came to do my assessment, the owner, the physiotherapist and the chiropractor sat with me to help me figure out the best way to feel better and faster. I spent 6 weeks with on-going treatment using different modalities. The end result was no more pain and I was able to move again!! Thank you so much for your help. I highly recommend this clinic to anyone.
Summing it up Pillars of Wellness is a well run top notch health clinic!
Lori and Laurent Pinci who run Pillars of Wellness along with their team are very professional and efficient. They make you feel welcome with a smile and kind words every time you walk through their doors. They truly care. We have not yet had the need to experience the many other services that Pillars of Wellness offers, but if we ever did, we definitely would not hesitate to use them.
I’m feeling very supported during my recovery….
On the advice of a friend, I reached out and booked a series of appointments with their occupational therapist, Lori; physiotherapist, Abida; and their naturopath, Dr. Galantai to help with recovering from a concussion. It has been an excellent experience! They are all incredible practitioners.
This is the first time I’ve ever experienced a longer term injury and their genuine, individualized care has really lessened my stress. I’m feeling very supported during my recovery and highly recommend their clinic. I credit my continual improvement to the holistic way I’m getting treatment for my symptoms and am very grateful.
I went to different clinics I finally found one worth going to.
Friendly, caring and professionals like nothing I have seen around Aldershot//Burlington. Attentive to the needs of their patients. They take the time to listen. Beautiful and well designed clinic that is extremely well maintained. I have had two car accidents in the last year and I went to different clinics I finally found one worth going to.
