Neck Pain Treatment Winthrop

Dr Luke and Dr Raymond both have more than 20 years in helping people who suffer from neck and shoulder pain. We perform a thorough exam to determine the exact source of the pain and tailor treatment to suit your spine.

Like a flashing red light on the dashboard of your car, neck pain should not be ignored. It is a sign of damage to the joints, nerves and muscles of the spine.

What Is Neck Pain?

Your neck is the most vulnerable part of your spine. Not only does it support your 4-5 kg head, maintain a gentle forward curve and permit head rotation, but it also allows the free flow of nerve impulses to the head, face, hands and the rest of the body.

Functional problems of the spine – what Chiropractors calls subluxations – are the most common cause of neck pain. These joint problems will result in inflammation, muscle spasm and nerve irritation.

Sometimes pain is a result of the damage caused by a motor vehicle accident. These accidents can cause a muscle strain or ligaments sprain.

The spine is a delicate and complicated structure and a thorough examination by a Chiropractor is necessary to identify the exact cause of the pain so that the best treatment can be provided.

Besides discomfort and annoyance, neck pain is a sign that something is wrong. It is important that problems are identified and corrected in the early stages before they become more severe.

What Causes Neck Pain

Neck pain treatment at Winthrop Chiropractic begins with finding the underlying cause of the problem.

The joints of the cervical spine are supported by muscle and ligaments. However, with constant stress and bad habits, the supporting structures are damaged allowing joint and nerve damage.

For example, people who spend long periods seated are more vulnerable to neck pain. Slouching in your chair or having a computer screen which is too low, will cause you to lean your head forward, placing extra stress on your neck.

Research has shown that looking down at your phone places an extra 25 kg of pressure on your neck and shoulders. 

Looking down at your mobile, bending your head over to one side when using the phone and sleeping in an awkward position may also lead to neck pain.

Whiplash injury, which may occur after a car accident, is another known cause of neck pain. Recovery from whiplash may take a few weeks to many months, depending on the extent of the injury.

It is essential that every person who is in a car accident have a thorough examination of the spine to determine the severity of the damage. Early intervention is essential for a full recovery. Call 9332 0122 to make an appointment. 

Stress may also cause muscle tension and contribute to neck pain. Stress hormones target the shoulder and neck muscles, causing damage to the joints and nerves of the spine. While Chiropractic care cannot reduce the stress in your life, it can help you improve your ability to handle and tolerate it.

Other causes of neck pain include:

● Degenerative disease

● Osteoarthritis

● Herniated disc

● Fibromyalgia

● Infection

Symptoms Of Neck Pain

The most common symptom of neck pain is of course pain! The pain may be isolated to one area of the neck or it may extend to the shoulders and even the arms. The pain may be described as a dull ache or as a sharp shooting pain depending on the cause. Neck pain is often associated with other symptoms such as:

• A loss of movement in the neck
• Muscle spasm in the shoulders and neck

The problems in the neck which causes pain – a subluxation- will often irritate or choke the nerves that leave the spine. This can cause many further problems:

• Sharp, stabbing pain in the arms
• Pins and needles in the arms
• A loss of strength in the arms making it difficult to lift objects
• Headaches
• Vertigo and dizziness
• And sometimes even problems with your vision!

A thorough examination of the spine is essential to determine the exact source of your neck pain. Book an appointment online or call 9332 0122.

How To Avoid Neck Pain

Prevention is always more helpful than a cure! There are a number of steps you can take to help avoid neck and shoulder pain:

1. Ensure that you move out of your chair every 45 minutes. Sitting longer this will cause fatigue to the joints and muscles in the neck.
2. Make sure you elevate your computer screen so that the top of the screen is level with the top of your eyes.
3. Be mindful of your posture when seated. Sit up straight and keep your feet flat on the floor.
4. A pillow needs to be fitted correctly. At Winthrop Chiropractic we can help you determine the exact shape and size pillow which is suitable for your spine.
5. If you take a lot of calls, use a headset rather than tilting your head to one side to hold the phone between your ear and shoulder.
6. Also, hold your smartphone or tablet at eye level if possible instead of looking straight down when using your device.

How To Relieve Neck Pain

It can be tempting to rely on pain killers and anti-inflammatory medication when you suffer from neck pain. But these drugs ultimately mask the underlying problem. This can potentially cause more damage to your spine. Over many years, this approach can lead to significant damage that requires surgery.

The Chiropractic approach is to identify the cause of your pain, rather than just mask the symptoms. Chiropractors provide a natural form of treatment that can provide long term relief. A New Zealand government study determine that Chiropractic care is 10,000 times safer than surgery and more than 1000 times safer than Panadol.

How A Chiropractor For Neck Pain May Help

The chiropractors at Winthrop Chiropractic have many years of experience in identifying the cause of your pain and provide tailored care for your spine- without the needs for surgery or drugs.

We take a comprehensive approach – looking at your lifestyle, nutrition and exercise to help reduce pain, restore function and prevent a painful relapse.

Chiropractors apply gentle and specific adjustments to the spine to restore normal movement and function to the spine. Our focus is to identify the cause of the pain and address the surrounding damage.

How Does A Chiropractor Neck Pain Professional Make A Diagnosis?

The first step for every patient at Winthrop Chiropractic is to take a thorough history. We want to know when your pain started, how severe it is and if there are any signs of nerve damage.

We then perform a comprehensive examination of the spine and nervous system to help confirm our diagnosis. We include orthopaedic, nerve function and structural tests. If necessary you will also be referred for imaging such as MRI or x-rays.

Our tests are thorough. Our explanations are clear. It is why we have been trusted to help tens of thousands of people in Melville, Leeming, Bullcreek, Winthrop and Murdoch over the last 20 years.

Learn more about what Winthrop Chiropractic Care can do for you. We’re also pleased to offer complimentary consultations. Contact us today to get started. Or you may book your appointment with our professional and experienced team online.