Whether the cause is injury, trauma, postural problems or workplace ergonomics, neck pain is one of the most common reasons for patients seeking help from Suncoast Chiropractic.

Pain, stiffness and reduced mobility when even turning the head is sore and painful, can make even the most simple, everyday task a misery. It is important to seek professional help for an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible after the onset of pain because there is a risk that delay could cause the problem to become chronic (long term).

Some Common Causes of Neck Pain
Muscle fatigue, problems with joints, ligaments, nerves and spinal discs can all result in neck pain and headaches. Some of the most common causes are:

Poor Posture
The delicate structures of the neck can become overloaded due to:

A sedentary lifestyle.
Office work that requires concentrating on a computer screen for long periods of time.
Incorrect posture when sitting, sleeping, lifting or carrying weights.
Repetitive movements at work or during recreational sports and hobbies.

Disc Problems
The intervertebral discs of the neck are prone to injury. Sometimes referred to as a slipped or protruding disc, a bulging disc can put pressure on the nerves in the spinal cord as a result of misalignment, causing neck pain and other unpleasant symptoms such as pain, numbness or pins and needles that can affect one or both shoulders, arms and hands.

Stress and Tension
Chronic stress and anxiety in the workplace or in the family can cause us to tighten our neck and shoulder muscles without realising it. This build up of muscle tension causes pain in the neck and shoulders, often accompanied by a headache.

Poor Sleeping Position
When the combination of mattress and pillow(s) allows the spine and neck to be as aligned as possible, this is the ideal sleeping position. In severe cases, Acute Torticollis, (a twisted neck), can occur and can be alarming – as the patient may wake up and find their neck is ‘stuck’ and they may have difficulty in moving it at all. Carrying an uneven load like a heavy book bag over one shoulder or a small child in one arm can also cause Torticollis.

Treatment For Neck Pain
A detailed initial assessment will help us to pinpoint the problem that is causing your pain so that we can discuss the treatment options available to you.

Your chiropractor can work on the stiff joints and tight muscles, reducing knots in muscles, pain and headaches. In addition, we will be able to help you with exercises that help loosen tightness and reduce the chances of the problem reoccurring.

If you are suffering with neck pain, contact us today on (07) 5492 5588 to discuss how we can help you.