What is Stiff Neck?
Stiff neck is just as the name of the condition implies—it involves the muscles of the neck becoming stiff. This stiffness can cause pain and limit mobility.
There are many different causes of stiff neck. It may be due to poor posture, neck muscle strain, sports injuries, repetitive movements, or a sedentary lifestyle. Sometimes, stiff neck is caused by other health issues, such as degenerative disc disease or osteoarthritis.
Dealing with the pain and limitations of a stiff neck can be frustrating, but if not treated the problem can lead to more serious health issues such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis. Early treatment of a stiff neck can not only decrease pain and improve mobility, but can also help you avoid bigger health problems.
Signs and Symptoms of Stiff Neck
A stiff neck may be hard to move and rotate because the muscles feel tense or tight. This difficulty may interfere with your ability to rotate your head to one side or the other (or both sides). The stiffness may also make its way into the upper shoulders, or up into your head. It's not uncommon for stiff necks to also cause headaches.
In some cases, patients experience muscle spasms in the neck or upper back.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Stiff Neck
The upper cervical spine is made up of the top seven vertebrae. These vertebrae begin at the base of the skull and run down the neck. This part of the spine supports the weight of the entire head. The top two vertebrae, known as the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2), are responsible for the movement and turning of the head.
When there is a misalignment in the upper cervical spine, it can cause inflammation, muscle strain, and postural problems that result in stiff neck. The good news is, correcting the misalignment can help restore health to the neck and eliminate stiffness and pain.
How Our Stiff Neck Treatment Works
Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic is an expert in upper cervical spine care. The doctor specializes in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a modern chiropractic technique that utilizes advanced technology to help ensure manipulations are precise. This precision enables corrections to be safe, gentler, and more effective than with traditional chiropractic methods.
Dr. Elder has a three-step treatment plan for patients with stiff neck. The first step is a thorough screening with 3D diagnostic imaging tools and an assessment of your upper cervical spine's health. Once any problems have been measured and calculated, the doctor can use low-force pressure to help coax the spine back into alignment.
Follow-up exams will ensure the alignment is intact so that the body can begin the natural healing process, reducing inflammation and releasing tension in the muscles. Keeping the spine in proper alignment can prevent future problems, so Dr. Elder recommends adding regular chiropractic checkups to your healthcare routine.
If you're looking for a drug-free, non-invasive treatment for stiff neck, contact Dr. Elder. The doctor services patients in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.