When to See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain

When to See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain in Orem, Utah

You should consider seeing a chiropractor for neck pain if it lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, limits your neck movement, or occurs with headaches, shoulder pain, or symptoms traveling into the arm. An examination can help determine whether the pain is related to muscles, joints, posture, discs, or irritated nerves.

When Should You See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain?

Consider scheduling an evaluation if:

• Neck pain has lasted several days or keeps returning
• You have difficulty turning or moving your neck
• Your neck feels stiff after working at a computer
• Pain travels into your shoulder or arm
• You experience numbness or tingling in your arm or hand
• Neck pain is associated with headaches
• You developed neck pain after a sports injury
• You developed neck pain after a car accident
• Home treatments have not provided lasting relief

When Neck Pain Requires Immediate Medical Attention

Seek urgent medical evaluation if neck pain occurs with symptoms such as:

• Significant arm or hand weakness
• Loss of coordination or difficulty walking
• Severe headache that develops suddenly
• Fever with severe neck stiffness
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

We are trained to examine and identify these type of medical conditions and know when they need to be referred to another specialist or provider. We help coordinate a fast and timely referral for those cases.

Common Neck Pain Symptoms We Evaluate and Treat

·      Neck stiffness

·      Pain when turning the head

·      Pain at the base of the skull

·      Pain between the shoulder blades

·      Upper trap tightness

·      Headaches that start in the neck

·      Pain traveling into the shoulder, arm, hand or fingers

·      Numbness or tingling into the arm or hand

·      Muscle spasms

·      Neck pain after sleeping wrong

·      Neck pain after a car accident

·      Tech neck from phone or computer use

‍Can Tech Neck and Forward Head Posture Cause Neck Pain?

Looking down at cell phones, books, and computers can lead to postural imbalances such as tech neck and forward head posture. This happens over a gradual period of time. Symptoms of this condition include a forward shifting of the head in relation to the upper back, neck stiffness, neck pain and headaches. This postural distortion places additional stress on back and neck muscles. In some cases you may feel pain, tingling or numbness into the shoulder or arm. At Crest Chiropractic we can evaluate tech neck and forward head posture with a complete examination and when clinically indicated we will take x-rays and create a customized plan of care to treat it.  

Treatment Options For Tech Neck

1.     Chiropractic treatment

2.     Posture exercises

3.     Posture retraining devices such as a Apex Cervical Orthosis

4.     Lifestyle and ergonomic recommendations

In our Orem chiropractic office, some of the most common neck pain patterns we see with tech neck are restricted neck rotation, suboccipital muscle tightness, lower trapezius muscle tightness often accompanied with trigger points, painful or restricted joints in the lower cervical spine, and weak anterior neck flexors and lower trapezius muscles.

Can Chiropractic Help With Neck Sprains and Strains?

Neck sprains and strains can occur from sports injury, lifting, car accidents, sudden movements and overuse. When the muscles and ligaments in the neck get injured it leads to pain and more instability in the neck. Pain associated with this is often described as neck ache, dull neck pain and sharp neck pain. At Crest Chiropractic we can perform a full evaluation to properly treat neck sprains and strains.

Treatment Options For Neck Sprains and Strains

1.     Ice and Heat

2.     Gentle chiropractic treatment

3.     Manual therapy and massage therapy

4.     Electrical muscle stimulation (TENS, Interferential)

5.     Physical therapy exercises

Can a Cervical Disc Bulge Cause Neck and Arm Pain?

Disc bulges or herniations of the neck can cause pain in the neck, shoulder and arm. Symptoms may feel like numbness, tingling or radicular pain. During a neck and arm pain examination at Crest Chiropractic, we commonly evaluate cervical range of motion, orthopedic testing, neurologic findings, posture, muscle function, and the areas of the cervical spine that reproduce the patient's symptoms. When symptoms suggest cervical nerve involvement or a possible disc injury, an MRI may be recommended to evaluate the cervical discs, spinal cord, and nerve roots. At Crest Chiropractic we can assist you in getting the right imaging for an accurate diagnosis and best treatment.  

Treatment Options For Disc Bulge Related Neck and Arm Pain

1.     Non-surgical spinal decompression (cervical traction)

2.     Chiropractic treatment

3.     Physical therapy exercises

What Should You Do About Neck Pain After a Car Accident?

Neck pain resulting from whiplash and car accidents may appear immediately after an accident or it may take several days to develop. If you develop neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, or other symptoms after a car accident, it is reasonable to have the injury evaluated promptly. Early evaluation can help identify injuries, rule out conditions requiring additional medical care, begin appropriate treatment when indicated, and document your symptoms following the collision. At Crest Chiropractic we can properly evaluate and treat car accident injuries. Utah auto insurance policies generally include at least $3,000 per person in Personal Injury Protection(PIP) coverage for necessary medical expenses following an auto accident.

Treatment Options for Neck Pain From a Car Accident Injury

1.     Chiropractic treatment

2.     Manual therapy and massage therapy

3.     Physical therapy exercises

4.     Non surgical spinal decompression (cervical traction)

5.     Extracorporeal shockwave therapy

6.     Electrical muscle stimulation

Can Neck Problems Cause Headaches?

Cervicogenic headaches, tension headaches and migraines can all be associated with neck pain. Cervicogenic headaches are secondary to underlying spinal issues or muscle imbalances in the cervical spine. Tension headaches are typically a band like pattern around the head and these headaches can be from tight muscles in the neck and shoulders. Migraines can be associated with neck stiffness and tightness as an early sign of an episode. Chiropractic care including spinal manipulation and exercise, may be helpful for certain patients with headaches. At Crest Chiropractic we can evaluate your headaches and determine if chiropractic treatment can help in your case.

Treatment Options For Headaches Associated With Neck Pain

1.     Gentle chiropractic treatment

2.     Manual therapy and massage therapy

3.     Electrical muscle stimulation (TENS, Interferential)

4.     Physical therapy exercises

Can Chiropractic Care Help Neck Pain?

If you are experiencing any of these conditions or symptoms related to neck pain we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Crest Chiropractic today. We will perform a consultation, examination, take x-rays if necessary and perform any additional tests that may be required to identify the cause of your pain. After identifying where the pain and symptoms are coming from, we can help you with chiropractic treatment to reduce pain and muscle tension, improve range of motion, decrease pain, and help you return to your normal activities. Our treatment is natural using entirely non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical methods to get you healthy again.  

We proudly serve patients in Orem, Lindon, Vineyard, Pleasant Grove, Alpine, Cedar Hills, and throughout Utah County.

Schedule your New Patient Appointment Today by clicking here or call us directly at 801-701-8100.

‍Medically reviewed by Dustin Mattila, DC
Dr. Dustin Mattila is a licensed chiropractor at Crest Chiropractic in Orem, Utah, with more than 15 years of clinical experience treating neck pain, backpain, sports injuries, and auto accident injuries.

‍

‍