Neck pain is a common issue caused by various factors, such as problems with the neck muscles, joints, discs, and nerves. Addressing neck pain immediately is essential to prevent further issues or complications. Left untreated, neck pain can lead to long-term discomfort and potentially severe health issues. A chiropractor is often the best option for care, as they can properly diagnose and treat the root cause of the pain rather than continually chase symptoms.
Many common posture problems can increase your risk of neck pain. This includes slouching, hunching the shoulders, craning the head, and more. At Pike Creek Chiropractic Center in Newark, DE, our chiropractors will help you optimize your posture and get to the bottom of your neck pain, so you get relief that lasts.
Modern medicine’s approach to pain relief is throwing muscle relaxers, painkillers, and anti-inflammatories at the problem. All these drugs have side effects and only offer temporary relief. Structural problems require structural solutions. When you take a pill, there aren’t a bunch of tiny chiropractors that go in to correct the spinal misalignments. As chiropractors, we have no interest in chasing symptoms. We’re looking to correct the problem causing the symptoms to provide long-lasting neck pain relief.
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How Our Neck Pain Care Plan Works
Structural Correction Chiropractic
The body has a natural ability to heal itself but is often hindered by structural imbalances. Physical and emotional stress result in pain, reduced mobility, and other health problems. We detect and correct these imbalances to restore health and well-being.
Functional
Rehabilitation
Your personalized treatment plan will focus on correcting any imbalances or weakness, improving movement patterns, and restoring normal function. We design this plan based on your specific situation to help you get out of pain and achieve all your health goals.
Nervous System
Based Approach
The nervous system is the master control system, it controls every cell, tissue, muscle, and organ in the body. By focusing on the nervous system and optimizing its function, we can improve your overall health, reduce neck pain, and prevent future health problems.
How We Treat Neck Pain in Newark, DE
Different courses of treatment can help to treat neck pain. Each case is unique, and a professional chiropractor will assess the situation and determine the best course of action. There are different approaches and treatment types available, including the following.
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
If you’re experiencing neck pain, a chiropractor will conduct a comprehensive exam of your spine and nerves. This includes a detailed consultation to evaluate your overall health and medical history. They may also inquire about your diet and lifestyle habits, including whether or not you exercise and do other activities. They will also examine your neck for any signs of muscle spasms or tenderness that may indicate more serious issues
Digital X-rays
If your chiropractor suspects any underlying issues in the bones or joints of your neck, they may prescribe digital X-rays for further evaluation. This imaging tool uses low-radiation levels to reveal any problems in the bones. X-rays are commonly used to detect any spine misalignment, fractures, or other abnormalities.
Specific Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic’s go-to tool to relieve neck pain is the chiropractic adjustment. This includes a variety of techniques to help clear any misaligned vertebrae, as well as unstiffen the joints in the neck. Misaligned vertebrae can interfere with nerve function, leading to pain and issues in the shoulders, arms, jaw, and face. Spinal manipulation helps align vertebrae in the neck and promotes greater joint mobility. Combined, these methods can address the underlying causes and relieve neck pain.
Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work
Muscle tension is a common cause of neck pain. Soft tissue work, traction, and massage can help alleviate muscle spasms and pain. Tension may result from altered spinal structure causing some muscles to work harder than they should. Relieving adhesions can help restore balance to the musculoskeletal system. If you have muscle spasms and tension in your neck, the professional will try to relax these muscles, making them less likely to cause further issues. They also may use heated massage oils or other moisturizing substances to help relax the muscles to be more easily treated.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
We will craft a custom exercise plan to strengthen and stabilize the proper spinal structure in your neck. This will include various exercises that help gently stretch the muscles in your neck and strengthen and improve your overall mobility of the joints. Combined with other treatment options, this can be beneficial in treating your neck pain and helps your body hold adjustments longer.
Cervical Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression uses traction and gentle force to decompress the cervical spinal discs. By relieving pressure on bulged or herniated cervical discs, the chiropractor can help improve the spacing between your vertebrae, ease nerve pain, and allow the discs to rehydrate and heal.
Nutritional Supplementation
A chiropractor may recommend nutritional supplementation to help you relieve your neck pain. An anti-inflammatory diet, including Omega-3 oils, green tea extracts, magnesium, and glucosamine, is crucial for overall health, especially when your body is trying to heal from an injury. A natural wellness chiropractor can also help you identify deficiencies in your diet and determine if vitamin or mineral supplements are necessary.
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Josh Swift
2023-06-01
I had never seen a Chiropractor and really did not know much about Chiropractics. I visited Dr South to help with a pain in my neck. The pain was gone in a matter of a handlful of visits but more importantly I learned how everything is related to our nervous system and how important chiropractics is to maintaining our health. I now see Dr South on a regular basis.
Dr South is committed to the well being of his patients. He and his team are driven knowing they are making a positive impact on the lives of others. You will feel like part of the family after just a few visits.
Maggie Glenn
2023-05-26
Dr South is awesome ! He was able to help me with my back issues and headaches . Highly recommend his office . His staff is amazing . Always make you feel welcomed and cared for with endless smiles on their faces .
Very attentive and accommodating .
gary collins
2022-12-05
This is not my first experience with Dr. South. My first time I was looking for a microwave fix for my problem or go through a long process and when that didn't happen, I stop going thinking that he couldn't help me. Wrong move on my part. My second experience with Dr. South I went with a different mind meaning I went in as if I was baking something. Sometimes a quick fix(microwave) don't work, you need a much slower process(baking) to fix the problem you are having. And that was my experience this time and me, my family, friends and co workers can see the results. I'm still seeing Dr.South due to the injury from a diving accident and I'm a lot better than when I came back.Thank you Dr. South and your team for making me feel whole again. Gary💗
Julian Christian
2022-11-30
Excellent Services. Dr. South is the best. He is very knowledgeable in chiropractic and rehabilitative care. Best Chiropractor I have seen so far with updated technology, x rays, and equipment in his offices. I highly recommend his services to others!
Kim Gardner
2022-09-05
Dr South is one of the best chiropractors I have been to
Carson Sellers
2022-06-23
The staff are amazingly kind, and fun too. It feels more like a family than a doctor's office.
Also I give Dr. South's puns an 8.73 out of 10
Jon McConomy
2022-06-20
As soon as you walk in, you’re family. Dr. South, Sharon, NaMeta, and Lacey are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Not only are they friendly, but they truly care about you as a person. The entire goal of their care is to see you become the best you can be starting with correcting your spine. Dr. South is amazing at determining what’s wrong with your spine and laying out the plan to ACTUALLY CORRECT the problem. This was the first time in my life a doctor had ever offered a path to healing instead of just helping you “cope” or “manage your pain/symptoms”. I’ve been going for over 6 months now, and I’ve seen actual progress on the movement of my spine into the way it is supposed to be (along with feeling better). I’m so thankful to have them all in my life, and I thank God for them all the time. Thank you, Pike Creek Chiropractic!
Michele Faucett
2022-06-20
I've been a patient there for almost 20 years. My posture is much better and my pain level is down considerably. It's a very friendly atmosphere and they take time to address any concerns you might have. I highly recommend their services!
Common Causes of Neck Pain in Newark, DE
Bulged Cervical Discs
A cervical disc is a small round cushion between the neck vertebrae. Some individuals suffer from bulged or herniated cervical discs, common spinal conditions requiring chiropractic care. These conditions occur when the tough outer covering of the discs breaks down, allowing the soft gel-like center to bulge out and pinch a nerve or sensitive area in your spine. Injuries, repetitive physical strain, excess weight, and poor posture are some of the causes of bulging discs.
Herniated Cervical Discs
Herniated cervical discs occur similarly to bulged discs, except for one key difference. In herniated cervical discs, the disc’s outer layer does not break down but instead tears completely. This allows the disc’s soft center to push through and press against a nearby nerve or sensitive area. Herniated discs can cause extreme pain radiating from your neck into your shoulders and arms. If left untreated, they may also cause broad-based weakness in your fingers, hands, and feet.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a common spinal condition when the discs between your vertebrae deteriorate over time. It is more common as you age; many people develop it in their late 50s or 60s. As the discs begin deteriorating, they become smaller and thinner. This allows them to bulge outward, pinch nearby nerves and cause radiating pain down your arms. In severe cases of degenerative disc disease, the joint spaces can also narrow and press on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes your spinal column to narrow and press on the nerve roots that travel through the column. Stenosis is usually the result of natural aging, but injuries and other trauma can also exacerbate it. As the spinal canal gets smaller, spinal nerves are more easily pinched, causing neck pain that typically radiates into your arms. The pain can be sharp, burning, or even tingling. You may also have numbness or weakness in your fingers or hands.
Muscle Strain
Usually related to neck pain, muscle strain occurs when the neck muscles or ligaments become overstretched or injured. This can occur from repetitive physical activities such as driving, exercising, and typing on the computer. It can also develop after a single traumatic incident, such as a fall or car accident, in which the neck muscles are strained in some manner. Muscle strain can lead to pinched nerves and cause radiating pain that travels down your arms into your fingers.
Tech Neck
Tech neck, or computer neck, is a relatively new condition caused by spending too much time hunched over your computer or staring down at your phone. It is usually characterized by muscle soreness and tightness in the back of your neck and upper shoulders. These symptoms can also be accompanied by headache pain that radiates down both arms, your hands, or even the back of your head. Tech neck can completely alter the structure of your cervical spine and gravely affect your posture.
Facet Joint Dysfunction
A facet joint is a small bony knob on the corner of each spinal joint. Any damage to the facet joints can cause pain that moves down your arms, hands, fingers, head, and back.
Subluxation
This condition occurs when one vertebra in your neck becomes misaligned. This causes the nerves and muscles to be pinched and damaged, which can lead to a variety of symptoms, including the following:
- Severe pain in the front and back of your neck
- Tingling or numbness to your fingers, hands, or arms
- Weakness in your fingers, hands, and arms
- Frequent headaches or migraines
Osteoarthritis
This condition occurs most often in older adults and is usually characterized by joint degeneration and a breakdown of the cartilage lining. Osteoarthritis has been known to cause neck pain, shoulder pain, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and other spinal conditions requiring chiropractic treatment.
Whiplash
This is one of the most common causes of neck pain in individuals who have been in car accidents, especially when the accident involves a sudden stop or collision. Whiplash can also occur in minor accidents, such as when there is a sudden change in the direction of your head and neck. It typically occurs when the neck muscles and joints become stretched and injured to some degree. It can also cause severe symptoms like muscle spasms, tension headaches, and pain that moves down into your arms.
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1450 Capitol Trail, Suite 106 Newark, DE 19711
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should You See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain?
Pain is common, but it is not normal. It is the body warning you of a deeper problem. A chiropractor can evaluate your pain, determine the underlying cause, and craft an effective, natural neck pain treatment with long-term, lasting results. Seeking care immediately will keep the issue from progressing and becoming more difficult to manage and treat.
Do Medical Doctors Recommend Chiropractors for Neck Pain?
A medical doctor can diagnose and treat neck pain, but if your condition is severe or causes severe symptoms, they may recommend you see a chiropractor. A chiropractor is a specialist and can better treat neck pain because they mostly use natural techniques and therapies. Medical doctors use medications, surgery, or other techniques to relieve neck pain, whereas a skilled chiropractor uses non-invasive methods that work with the body’s natural healing responses.
Are Chiropractors Covered by Insurance for Neck Pain?
Yes, chiropractic care is often covered by insurance for neck pain. Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover chiropractic care for neck pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. However, it’s essential to check with your insurance provider to see what your plan covers and confirm that the chiropractor you visit is in-network.
How Can You Tell if Your Neck Is Out of Alignment?
There are several signs that your neck may be out of alignment:
- Neck pain or discomfort that doesn’t seem to be related to a specific injury or strain
- Cervical misalignments can cause headaches, especially if the headache feels like it’s coming from the base of your skull
- Limited range of motion or difficulty turning your head or tilting it to the side
- Shoulder pain
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
It’s important to note that other conditions can also cause these symptoms, so if you are experiencing them, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause.
Is It Okay to Pop My Own Neck?
No. Popping your neck may make you feel better temporarily, but it’s not a good idea and can cause more harm than good. The first reason it’s not recommended is that it doesn’t treat the underlying cause of your pain. If there is nerve damage or pinched discs, popping your neck won’t fix the problem. The best way to treat neck pain is to see a chiropractor for an evaluation and treatment plan.