Neck Pain
Neck pain is a serious issue that can become chronic and lead to other issues, such as headaches. At Mesa Chiropractic Rehab and Wellness, located in Mesa, Arizona, we (Dr. Robert Sazama and Dr. Eric Liebl) are a part of a team of professionals who are committed to identifying and treating the underlying cause of your neck pain.
Neck Pain Q & A
Mesa Chiropractic Rehab and Wellness
What are some of the causes of neck pain?
Neck pain is a common condition and can be caused by a number of factors. Some of the common causes of neck pain include:
- Poor posture
- Misalignment of the vertebrae
- Stress
- Disc problems (disc herniation, bulging disc, degenerative disc disease, etc.)
- Arthritis
- Traumas (sports injuries, whiplash, slip and fall accidents, etc.)
- Improper lifting techniques
- Spine related diseases (scoliosis, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, etc.)
The neck is often an overlooked part of the human body but serves an important role in support and movement of the head. The neck also acts as a corridor for the spinal cord and blood supply to the brain. Because the neck serves as the connection between the brain and the rest of the body, problems with the cervical spine have been shown to affect many parts of the body.
Are neck pain and TMJ connected?
Yes. The temporomandibular joint is one of the areas of the body that can be affected by neck problems. We see many patients with temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ who also experience neck pain. TMJ disorders affect the joint that connects the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull and allows for jaw movements that support speaking and chewing. When the muscles of the neck are injured or under strain due to conditions like forward head posture, TMJ can result. Conversely, TMJ can also cause neck and shoulder pain.
How does Mesa Chiropractic treat neck pain?
Treatment varies from one individual to the next, although two of the most common approaches are cervical adjustments and cervical manual traction. Cervical adjustments are simply a quick, gentle force to the vertebrae to restore proper motion and alignment in the joints and improve nervous system function. Cervical manual traction focuses on gently stretching the cervical spine. Both techniques can provide neck pain relief on their own, but to get even better results a variety of therapies may be used, such as decompression, home exercises, Precor stretch trainers, Therapeutic Wobble Chairs, and Vibration platforms. Every patient goes through a thorough exam process to determine which options will work best based on their individual needs.
