Pain in a specific area can be a sign that there’s an underlying problem in that area. That’s certainly true of neck pain. However, chiropractors know those neck problems often show up as headaches, shoulder pain, jaw pain, pins and needles in the hands, carpal tunnel syndrome, and upper back pain. These symptoms are why chiropractic care often fixes problems that have been undiagnosed because it’s been assumed that the problem must be located where the symptom is located.

For many of us, neck aches or other symptoms of neck problems are an all-too-familiar experience. The good news is that neck pain is rarely the result of a serious underlying condition. Most of the neck problems I see as a chiropractor in Canberra are caused by things like minor sprains or poor posture.

Some of the other symptoms that suggest you should be seen by a chiropractor are:

• Waking up with persistent neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• Clicking noises when you turn your neck
• Constant aching of the neck muscles
• Tingling or numbness in your hands or fingers
  

What causes neck pain?

Canberra has at least as high an incidence of neck pain and referred symptoms as anywhere else in Australia. This is no surprise considering the amount of time an average Canberran spends in front of a computer or television, usually with poor posture. A forward head posture, common in computer workers, puts a particular strain on the muscles and ligaments in the neck, which results in pain and stiffness.

Your head weighs about five kilograms. That’s a lot of weight for the neck muscles to hold up, especially considering there are just seven neck bones to help them.

We all know the feeling of stiffness and soreness that comes when we slouch for too long. But what many of us don’t realise is that this discomfort is more than just a nuisance. Prolonged periods of awkward posture can strain the muscles, joints, ligaments and discs in your neck.

When your head is in a forward-leaning position, the tension in your neck and shoulder muscles builds. The further forward the head tilts, the greater the amount of strain. Over time, the constant strain in your neck turns chronic. When that happens, even the smallest change in posture may cause stiffness and pain.

Why does chiropractic treatment work on neck pain?

Chiropractors use a range of techniques to relieve pressure on the spine and nervous system. This focus on the spine in particular makes chiropractic techniques well-suited to improving the range of motion in your neck and providing relief from chronic neck pain.

If you’ve been dealing with neck aches that won’t go away no matter what you do, there is an excellent chance that you’ll find relief in my chiropractic clinic in Civic. I can’t make promises without assessing you, but I have provided lasting relief from chronic neck pain to thousands of patients in Canberra.

Schedule a consultation today, and let’s discuss how chiropractic treatment might help you achieve long-term relief from neck pain.