Dealing with neck pain is one of the most frustrating and debilitating injuries you can incur. Before you self-medicate for pain relief or schedule a massage to loosen up your muscles, it’s vital to learn about the type of neck pain you’re feeling. Whether due to whiplash or sports injury, the ailment will require a particular treatment method, so learn more about the most common causes before you schedule an appointment. 

4 Types of Neck Pain You Should Know

1. Herniated Disc 

A herniated or “slipped” disc in your neck refers to a sudden rupture of the outer layer of the disc, allowing the softer inner layer to move out of place. In most cases, a herniated disc is caused by trauma to the head or neck, but it can also be caused by chronic poor posture. With help from a Chiropractor at Stoiber Chiropracitc, we can use flexion-distraction to gently decompress the disc in the upper spine and gentle spinal adjustments to restore alignment and motion of that segment.

2. Pinched Nerve

One of the most common causes of neck pain, a pinched nerve, can be the result of an untreated slipped disc, degenerative discs, a joint pressing directly on the nerve, or extremely tight muscles. You may feel discomfort in the exact area where the pinched nerve resides, or the pain might spread to the surrounding areas. If the pain begins to radiate, your best bet for relief is a combination of routine massage therapy and chiropractic alignments.

3. Whiplash

Whiplash often occurs during a car accident or sports match and describes the uncontrolled motion of quickly jolting forward and then back causing damage to the ligaments of the spine. Dr. Patrick Stoiber has specialized training in diagnosing the location and severity of the injury by utilizing special x-rays. Whiplash is known to be highly uncomfortable, and if left untreated, can eventually lead to migraines, impaired vision, nausea or chronic pain. Luckily, whiplash is very treatable with massage, high intensity laser and spinal adjustments to move the affected vertebrae back into their correct places and heal the ligaments.

4. Text Neck

A new problem that is becoming more common in society is text neck. Looking down for long periods of time while texting or reading on your smart phone has caused the natural curve in your neck to lessen or even reverse. We have seen kids as young as 13 years old with reveresed cervical curves. Symptoms include headaches, neck pain and upper shoulder pain. This is easily corrected with Chiropractic care, postural exercises and learning to use your smart phone in front of your face so you are not looking down. 

Living with chronic back or neck pain can be extremely limiting. In Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Stoiber Chiropractic is committed to providing instant, lasting results so that patients can continue living life to the fullest. This team of highly educated and experienced medical practitioners use natural methods and top-notch technology including digital X-rays, ultrasound therapy, interferential stimulation therapy and now high intensity laser  to create a custom treatment plan for every client. Go online or call today at (715) 424-8000.