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
  • Inability to move arms or hands
  • troubles gripping or lifting objects

How Neck Pain Can 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?

  • Poor posture
  • Working at a desk for too long without changing position, or having a poor office set-up
  • Sleeping with your neck in a bad position
  • Jerking your neck during exercise
  • The 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.
  • Osteoporosis is a weakness of the bones which can, in turn, lead to small fractures or stiffness and pain in the neck.
  • Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes muscle pain throughout the body leading to neck pain and headaches.
  • As 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.
  • Herniated 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.
  • Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column, which leads to pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
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How Our Chiropractors Can Help You with Neck Pain?

Our Chiropractors, Maggie Dunlop and Dr. Skowron 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

Our Testimonials

"This is my first time seeking chiropractic services and I have been very impressed with Pillars of Wellness. I have found them to be very caring, professional and knowledgeable. I have had severe back pain for quite a while. Within a few weeks, my chiropractor was able to reduce my pain quite a lot so that I could finally get through a day without constant pain. After a couple of months, I am more and more pain-free and plan to continue with Pillars of Wellness." Linda Dwyer

"I have been recommended to go to Pillars of Wellness because I suffered from a recent injury resulting from outdoor activities. The whole staff are very professional and very caring. Great Chiropractor! Very diligent and went above and beyond for me. Never charged me for the extra time she spent with me. She suggested combining my treatment with her, doing Acupuncture which was done by a Naturopath. After a few sessions, my pain has reduced considerably. I strongly recommend Pillars of Wellness. They are compassionate and worked collaboratively to help me get better and faster. Thank you so much!" - Arthur Portmann

Why 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.

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