Neck Pain
Neck pain isn’t just an inconvenience—it can put you at risk for further injury. At Beachside Chiropractic & Wellness, we offer chiropractic treatments and massage therapy to help patients in Destin, Miramar Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach area find relief from debilitating neck pain.
Neck pain is a common issue that affects many people and can severely limit daily activities. At our office, we take a comprehensive approach to understanding the causes of neck pain and treating it effectively to help you lead a healthy, pain-free life.
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Common Conditions Related to Neck Pain That We See In Our Office:
- Neck Sprain/Strain
- Disc Pain
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Headaches
- Upper Crossed Syndrome
- TMJ Dysfunction
Neck Sprain/Strain
Cervical strains and sprains are among the most prevalent injuries affecting the cervical spine.
A cervical strain occurs when the muscles in this area are injured. Conversely, a sprain involves damage to the ligaments or joints. Despite their differences, both conditions share similar pain patterns and symptoms.
Individuals with this diagnosis often experience discomfort when trying to move their head and neck, particularly at the limits of their range of motion. Additionally, frequent headaches may occur, which patients might not immediately associate with their cervical strain or sprain.
The primary physical causes of this condition include:
- Automobile accidents
- Whiplash
- Injuries from contact sports
- Repetitive overuse injuries
- Prolonged poor posture
Some of these injuries, such as traumatic automobile accidents and whiplash, are unavoidable. In such cases, prevention is not an option, and the next step is to seek treatment. This typically involves using ice during the initial days following the injury and utilizing therapeutic modalities like electrical stimulation, Graston Technique, and massage.
When injuries arise from overuse, poor posture, or improper exercise, there are proactive measures you can take to prevent them. Proper ergonomic training in the workplace, correcting posture, developing healthy habits, and gaining appropriate exercise knowledge can all contribute to building a stronger foundation for a healthy spine for life.
Neck Disc Pain
Cervical Discogenic Pain Syndrome refers to a condition characterized by soft tissue damage and irritation of the intervertebral disc fibers. Intervertebral discs act as cushions between the vertebrae of the spine, serving as shock absorbers that protect the vertebrae by dissipating forces and facilitating movement.
Cervical disc pain can result from various factors, including injuries or degenerative conditions. In most cases, treatment is available to help individuals maintain an active lifestyle.
Common Causes of Cervical Discogenic Pain:
- Direct Trauma: Injuries from falls, motor vehicle accidents, whiplash, or sports activities.
- Overuse and Fatigue: Repetitive microtrauma from maintaining the same position for extended periods.
- Postural Issues: This can stem from intrinsic postural problems (e.g., loss of cervical curvature) or extrinsic problems (e.g., prolonged poor posture).
- Sudden, Unguarded Movements
- Degenerative Disc Disease
Symptoms of Cervical Discogenic Pain Syndrome
Symptoms can differ based on whether the pain arises from a herniated disc or a degenerative disc. Individuals with a herniated disc may not experience neck pain directly but may feel radiating pain, tingling, or numbness in the arm or shoulder blade due to nerve root pressure.
Discogenic pain resulting from an injury can manifest as immediate pain or develop shortly afterward. Additionally, cervicogenic headaches may arise from cervical disc pain.
Treatment of Cervical Discogenic Pain Syndrome
Treatment approaches for cervical discogenic pain will vary based on the clinical presentation.
Many cervical disc herniations can be effectively managed with conservative treatment. The initial focus will be on controlling pain and inflammation. Once these are under control, early rehabilitation can help prevent chronic pain and disability.
Treatment may involve spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, activities as tolerated, and pain-free range-of-motion exercises. As the condition improves, late rehabilitation will include stabilization exercises, patient education, and postural training. Instruction on proper biomechanics and a home exercise regimen will strengthen the spine and reduce the risk of future injuries.
If conservative treatments are ineffective or if severe pain persists, diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays or MRI) may be necessary, and a referral to an orthopedic specialist might be warranted.
Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical Radiculopathy is a condition caused by dysfunction of the cervical nerve roots, resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness that often radiates to areas innervated by the affected nerve. The sixth (C6) and seventh (C7) cervical nerve roots are the most commonly impacted.
Risk Factors for Cervical Radiculopathy
- Heavy lifting (over 25 pounds)
- Operating vibrating equipment
- Smoking
- Collision sports (e.g., football, hockey)
- Previous injuries or degenerative disc disease
Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy may follow a neck injury or develop gradually over time, often with a history of recurrent neck pain or cervical spine arthritis.
The pain can vary from a deep ache to severe burning in the neck. Typically, this pain radiates to the shoulder blade, sometimes being misinterpreted as shoulder pain.
If radiculopathy worsens, patients may experience radicular arm pain that feels “sharp, shooting, or electrical,” along with sensory changes like “numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation” extending down the arm to the hand.
Certain neck positions may worsen symptoms, while lifting the arm overhead can provide relief.
Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy
Initial treatment focuses on reducing pain and inflammation and alleviating nerve root compression.
- Manual and/or mechanical traction
- Gentle spinal manipulation/mobilization
- Pain-free range-of-motion exercises
- Use of cervical pillow for proper neck alignment
- Electrotherapy to alleviate muscle pain
More advanced treatments once inflammation is decreased
- Spinal Manipulation
- Rehabilitation exercises involving stretching, strengthening and corrective exercises
Headaches
Headaches come in many varieties, and nearly everyone experiences this type of pain at some point in their lives.
The defining symptom of all headaches is, naturally, pain. However, different types of headaches affect various areas of the head and produce distinct pain sensations.
A subset of people who experience headaches may suffer from migraines which come with additional symptoms like nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light.
There are numerous physical causes of headaches, including:
- Poor posture
- Stress
- Allergies
- Hormonal imbalances
- Diet and exercise habits
Given the wide variety of headache types, causes, and symptoms, obtaining an accurate diagnosis is essential for effectively addressing the underlying issues.
Evaluating your lifestyle habits can help identify common contributing factors that may lead to headaches. For instance, it’s crucial to examine your sleep patterns, ensuring you receive an adequate amount of quality sleep.
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet that avoids potential triggers or allergens is also vital for managing this condition. Additionally, posture and body mechanics can significantly influence headache occurrences and are often among the easiest factors to diagnose and address.
Treatment options like soft tissue therapies, chiropractic adjustments, and posture analysis can provide a straightforward and effective approach to managing headaches.
Upper Crossed Syndrome
Upper Crossed Syndrome is a common muscle imbalance where certain neck and back muscles become weak, while others tighten. This imbalance leads to pain at the base of the neck and shoulders, along with joint dysfunction. The main causes of this condition are:
- Desk jobs
- Long hours of sitting
- Poor posture
- Driving for extended periods
With the right knowledge, you can avoid many of the factors that contribute to this condition. Those who suffer most, particularly in chronic cases, often struggle with poor posture from prolonged sitting, especially at a desk.
A sedentary lifestyle with minimal physical activity can worsen this issue, as poor sitting posture reinforces Upper Crossed Syndrome. It’s essential to optimize your workstation to support good posture.
The best approach is prevention. Limit long periods of sitting and take regular breaks to walk around and reset your posture.
If the condition has already developed, our chiropractor can guide you in proper posture and form to prevent further issues. You’ll gain awareness of the positions that contribute to the problem. Additionally, we offer soft tissue techniques that help relax tight muscles, restore mobility, and alleviate pain.
We can also teach you rehabilitative exercises that not only reverse existing damage but also prevent the condition from worsening. These practices will help you build long-lasting, healthy habits.
TMJ Dysfunction
“I have TMJ” is a common phrase, but it’s somewhat misleading.
Everyone has a temporomandibular joint (TMJ), as it is a normal part of our anatomy. What most people actually mean is that they have a TMJ disorder, which refers to pain and dysfunction in the jaw when opening or closing the mouth.
TMJ Dysfunction involves pain or difficulty with the jaw joint, which can lead to headaches, neck pain, and difficulty chewing.
The mandible (jaw) connects to the skull at the temporal bone, functioning as a hinge joint that pivots through a cartilage disc called the meniscus. Unfortunately, the TMJ can become slightly dislodged (subluxated), leading to overuse and degeneration. A simple way to check for TMJ disorder is to try opening your mouth wide enough to fit three fingers vertically. If you can’t, you may have a problem.
Common causes of TMJ disorder include:
- Trauma
- Overuse from chewing predominantly on one side
- Prolonged mouth opening (e.g., during dental visits)
- Misaligned bite
- Teeth grinding
How can you help TMJ disorder?
We provide specialized care to address jaw alignment, reduce muscle tension, and improve function.
Preventative measures include:
- Wearing mouthguards during sports and while sleeping
- Chewing food evenly on both sides
- Cutting tough foods into small pieces
- Minimizing gum chewing
You Deserve a Pain-Free Life
If you’re experiencing neck pain from an accident, stress, or you’re unsure of the cause, schedule an appointment at our Destin office today. Our chiropractor is here to help you live a healthy, pain-free life.
Tailored Chiropractic Care For All Ages.
We love caring for these special populations.
Pediatrics
We see kiddos’ for their first adjustment as young as a day old, all the way through adolescence. We use specific techniques tailored to their specific phase of life.
Pregnant Moms
Our doctor and team uses pregnancy-specific techniques that has helped countless women avoid unnecessary interventions during birth by properly preparing the mother’s body.
Athletes
If you are simply trying to manage pain from a sports related injury or improve overall athletic performance we have custom treatments for all types of athletes in our office.
Seniors
As we age, muscle strength and spinal health begin to decline. Specific techniques can be used to improve strength and range of motion while reducing nagging aches and pains.