Neck pain is very common. The most popular reason for people to suffer with neck pain is due to automobile accidents or similar injuries that impact the head and the neck. These kinds of injuries can lead to soft tissue damage, torn ligaments, and injured muscles. This can be especially true if you are in a car accident where you are hit from behind. You may be diagnosed with whiplash. This is the word used to refer to a particular action — the neck being bent forward and backward or side to side — at a very fast rate, resulting in the neck muscles overextending.
In the United States each year, as many as 3 million people get whiplash. Did you know whiplash can happen at speeds as low as 5 mph? A person can run that fast. These types of injuries cost US citizens around $30 billion in medical bills and court fees. In addition, there is time lost from work to heal, disability, and loss of productivity, which can be very high if you endure a long-term injury.
Whiplash cannot be determined by a test. There are specific symptoms a healthcare professional will look for:
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Headaches
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Stiffness
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Soreness
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Neck pain
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Dizziness
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Numbness
Doctors may recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like NSAIDs, putting ice on your neck, or something else to help alleviate the pain in the beginning of the injury. And these may work for you on a short-term basis. However, keep in mind this is only addressing one or two symptoms, not the underlying cause.
The Root Cause of Neck Pain
If you have endured an accident or other kind of trauma to the head or neck, your neck pain may be due to a misalignment in one of the top bones of the neck. The C1 and C2 vertebrae are designed to protect the brainstem. They also allow the head to move in multiple directions, making them more susceptible to misaligning.
We use a gentle method to help reposition these bones. It does not require us to pop or crack the neck or spine to get good results. Rather, we help the bones move into their original position on their own. After receiving upper cervical chiropractic care, many patients report a decrease or elimination of their neck pain.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 608-783-0384