Neck Pain Symptoms

Woman rubbing her neck.

If you suffer from neck pain symptoms, you’ll know that they can make day to day life very difficult. No-one should have to live with chronic pain, but luckily neck pain relief is available. Here, we’ll talk you through some of the common symptoms of neck pain, some potential causes and how chiropractic treatment can help. 

What are the symptoms of neck pain?

Neck pain symptoms can vary, in both the type of pain and the severity. If you’re suffering from neck pain, it’s likely that you’ll be experiencing one of more of the following symptoms: 

  • Headaches
  • A stiff neck
  • Difficulty or pain when turning your head from side to side
  • General soreness
  • A sharp or stabbing pain
  • Muscle tightness

It’s always advisable to see a medical professional if your neck pain is the result of a serious accident or injury. You should also call a doctor or 111 if you’re experiencing numbness, weakness or tingling alongside the neck pain. 

Why do people get neck pain?

Neck pain can be short or long term (and vary hugely in severity) depending on the cause. Common causes of neck pain include poor posture, awkward sleeping positions, mental or physical stress, a trapped nerve, general muscle strain, or an injury such as whiplash. 

The majority of people suffer from what’s known as ‘simple’ or ‘mechanical’ neck pain. This means that there’s no serious underlying condition causing the pain, and it’s likely to be caused by poor posture or general strain (e.g from a physically demanding job or awkward sitting position). 

However, it’s important to seek immediate medical advice if your neck pain is the result of an accident or injury, or if the pain persists with no signs of relief. 

Managing symptoms of neck pain

Most neck pain should fade in a few days or weeks, but there are steps you can take to manage the symptoms in the meantime. Again, it’s important to speak to a doctor if your neck pain is severe or the result of an injury, but otherwise you can try the following to ease your symptoms: 

  • Take painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen)
  • Use heat or cold packs at the site of the pain
  • Gentle stretches and neck exercises
  • Use a low, firm pillow
  • Move regularly throughout the day and avoid keeping your neck in one position for long periods of time (e.g when sitting at a desk). 

Can a chiropractor treat my neck pain symptoms?

Yes! Chiropractors are fully qualified to perform spinal manipulation, which can be used to free stiff or restricted joints. It’s very likely that a chiropractor will be able to treat or relieve symptoms of neck pain and they’ll first perform a full assessment to get an accurate diagnosis. 

Your chiropractor should be able to pinpoint the underlying cause of your neck pain, whether it’s a trapped nerve, poor posture or tight and sore muscles. They’ll then be able to put together a treatment plan, as well as general advice to help prevent the neck pain from returning.  

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