Neck Pain
Neck Pain Treatment: A Chiropractor’s Perspective in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY
Here at Vibrant Chiropractic Care, we understand the significance of neck pain in this country. Neck pain is one of the most common complaints that chiropractors help with. The neck supports the full weight of the skull, averaging 12 lbs. Women are one and half times more likely to experience neck pain. Nearly a third of neck pain cases end up becoming chronic (long-term) making it even more important to correct neck pain sooner rather than later.
Neck pain affects an estimated 80% of people at some point in their lifetime. This can stem from a variety of causes: injury, a genetic predisposition, poor posture developed over time, or a lack of ergonomic support in the workplace environment. If left untreated, the situation often degenerates to more severe conditions. Studies show chiropractic to be much more effective than medications, especially over the long term.
Neck pain can be very debilitating and severely decrease the quality of one’s life. Constant aching or sharp, shooting sensations can be distracting from normal, day-to-day activities and become completely unignorable during life events. Chiropractic works to correct the underlying causes of these problems. Getting started with care sooner improves outcomes.
The most common causes of neck pain are poor posture - also known as “Tech Neck”, an untreated injury, poor sleeping position, disc degeneration, or disc herniation. Lack of proper motion is a key cause of breakdown in the neck. That lack of motion is what chiropractors address. We also work with the surrounding tissues and structures - muscles, ligaments, joints, and discs - to restore movement. Most of us are stressed out and falling into bad habits, like poor posture, but we can help.
How We Treat Neck Pain
in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
Getting started is easy and includes a comprehensive consultation and exam where we really listen to your concerns and the goals you have for yourself. We discover your current abilities and restrictions with palpation, range of motion, muscle testing, and any other necessary diagnostic procedures. All this helps us understand the underlying root cause of your problem.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY
Correcting the issue is done with a specific chiropractic care plan designed for you. We know everyone is unique and has different needs and concerns. We tailor our care for each patient, gentle and specific for infants to the robust full hands-on “you know we moved the bone!” We also use instrument techniques where you will never hear any clicking or popping. This process takes pressure off the nervous system and allows the spine to function the way it was designed.
Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work
We will work with the soft tissue using massage techniques to release tension and restore mobility, making the chiropractic process much more enjoyable. This makes chiropractic adjustments easier to perform and helps the improvements last longer.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Custom therapeutic exercise plans are incorporated to enhance the healing process as well as strengthen and rebalance the muscular system. Curve and postural correction are processes we do in the office using the latest technology to assess and correct how you sit, stand, walk, and squat.
Deep Tissue Laser
Deep tissue laser and light therapies are also part of the care we deliver. A light source is placed near or in contact with the skin, allowing light energy (photons) to penetrate the tissue and interact with chromophores located in cells. The photophysical and photochemical reactions help reduce pain, inflammation, and speed up the healing process. If necessary, we also offer sound and ultrasound therapy to break up adhesions and release stagnation.
Nutritional Supplementation
Nutritional support is another component of the care you can receive in our office. We perform kinesiology testing to determine the best support to improve your organ and bodily functions while reducing inflammation.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY
Subluxation
The heart and soul of the chiropractic mission is to detect and correct subluxation. Unfortunately, most subluxation is painless or without obvious symptoms. It’s a condition where a spinal segment or joint has lost its proper articulation to the bones above or below and interferes with nerve impulses. The interference in the nerve system is a breakdown in the communication between the brain and body.
We are designed to heal ourselves. If we are breaking down or not healing fully there must be something interfering with that natural process. The specific chiropractic adjustment is delivered to restore proper communication and allow the body to heal itself. Chiropractors are the only profession taught to detect and correct a subluxation.
Bulged Cervical Disc
Discs are the super tough shock absorbers and space maintainers between the bones of the spine. They allow our spine and body to have great expressive movement. Over time with life’s stresses, the discs can wear down and dehydrate. If the cervical spine gets stuck or lacks proper motion, the disc wears down unevenly. That can start a chain of breakdowns within the disc which includes fibers tearing followed by the displacement of the nucleus. The nucleus is a super gel in the center of the disc, maintaining height and movement.
Damaged discs heal slowly so prevention is the best route to take. When discs are damaged, nerves can more easily be irritated. This can lead to radiating pain that travels into the legs and feet. If you feel pain or other intense sensations travel into the buttocks legs or feet you likely have disc problems and it’s time to do something about it.
Muscle Strain
Strains are dull, achy pain that intensifies with movement and remains localized to the low back. If this is something you have been experiencing, it is best to fix it early and prevent further degeneration. Sudden movement or repetitive motion over time, as well as poor posture and weak back muscles, are leading causes of this condition. It may resolve or come and go but could also be a sign of a bigger problem brewing.
Degenerative Disc Disease
This is an age-related condition when discs break down. Factors that contribute to this condition include obesity, smoking, chronic dehydration, and work that is hard on the spine.
This condition is a shrinking away of the disc. With the height and size of the disc getting smaller, openings along the spine shrink collapsing in on the nerves. This can cause pain, stiffness, weakened muscles or organs, and generalized discomfort. Unfortunately, degenerative disc disease can’t be reversed but can be slowed and stabilized if caught in time. Getting relief and restoring as much function as possible is the big goal with degenerative disc disease.
Tech Neck
Prolonged looking down at our devices, poor posture, and lacking an ergonomic setup at your desk contribute to tech neck. The neck is designed to support the head with a good curve to dissipate stress. The heavy use of technological devices leads to a straightening of the curve which puts more mechanical stress on the head, neck, and upper back. If the curve is lost in the neck, it puts added tension on the spinal cord which can have negative effects throughout the body. Through curve correction and the therapeutic exercises we teach patients, we can reverse this condition. As with all conditions, tech neck is easier to fix early on rather than when bad habits have caused them to be ingrained.
Whiplash
Whiplash is commonly caused by car accidents or other jarring incidents. The trauma causes a straightening of the cervical spine and, if not addressed, can lead to long-term, chronic issues such as pain, blurred vision, difficulty sleeping, and memory problems. Whiplash is a multitude of forces combined into one event where the head is thrown in one direction and then forced back and forth. The forces can do a lot of damage and aren’t always easy to see. Getting this type of injury documented and fixed early on is critical to preventing long-term hardship and suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chiropractor in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY good for neck pain?
Yes! We pride ourselves on getting great results for you. We also use the latest tools and techniques to get you the results you want quickly.
When should you see a chiropractor for neck pain?
In an ideal world, you would have received a spinal screening 1-4 times a year since birth. If you have been experiencing discomfort or worse for more than a week it’s time to determine the severity of the damage.
Is it okay to pop my own neck?
No, and doing so often makes the underlying issue worse. This bad habit may offer temporary relief due to a trick of the nerves. Proper chiropractic adjustments will result in lasting relief.
Are chiropractors covered by insurance for neck pain?
Yes, chiropractors are covered by insurance for neck pain. Not all insurance policies pay 100% for chiropractic care or all the services we offer in the office.
How can I relieve my neck pain?
We recommend getting a proper evaluation and assessment to determine the underlying cause of your neck pain. That said, we suggest lying on your back, placing a rolled towel under the center of your neck, and gently looking over your head for 10-30 seconds. If this makes it worse, stop. If not, repeat 3-5 times.
How can you tell if your neck is out of alignment?
Misalignments are often painless when they begin, or without obvious symptoms. If you’re feeling something off for more than a week or you can’t turn or move your head like you used to, you’re very likely out of alignment.
Connect With Us
Our chiropractor focuses on treatment solutions that get you pain-free as quickly as possible and keep you that way with our maintenance treatment plans. Whether it’s pain in the back, shoulder or neck, a sports injury or headaches, come and see us at Vibrant Chiropractic Care.
Address
32 Bridge St. 1st Floor, Suite 103 Brooklyn NY 11201
Phone
646-706-7366