Chiropractor Bloomington Il | Understanding Why You May Be Experiencing Neck Pain & Stiffness

The complexities that our bodies go through internally can sometimes trigger outward physical symptoms such as neck pain and stiffness. Most commonly these are discomforts that we can remedy on our own. However, it is important to know the difference between pain that can be self corrected, and pain that needs medical attention.

General Neck Pain Symptoms -

On an average day adults may notice back discomfort, headaches, and even the pain of aching feet before complaining of neck pain.

That's because neck pain is one of those pains that comes and goes at random times, usually with little to no effect on our daily routine.

General neck pain can fall under the simple acronym: "oops".

Overuse strain
Too much time in the wrong sitting posture
Poor sleep position
Short term

Overuse strain is a very common cause of neck pain because it is easy for working adults to practice certain neck positions in order to complete a task. (For example, holding the phone in between the neck and shoulder to accomplish multitasking)

Holding your neck at the wrong angle while you are sitting in front of your computer is another way to welcome neck pain. Clerical position holders are more prone to this mistake, allowing too much time to pass with their head kept in the same position. Remember, if you feel as if you almost tower over your desk when you are sitting, 9 times out of 10 you are going to hold your head in the wrong position.

Poor sleeping posture is so damaging to our bodies that the pillow and mattress industry has had to come up with new ways of helping people sleep correctly. Initially this pain is the most alarming due to the fact that it seems to happen unexpectedly, and overnight.

For whatever reason it's caused, general neck pain is always short term. This neck pain should subside in no more than 3 to 5 days.

Types of Neck Pain that Should not be Ignored -

"Neck pain caused by a car accident should never be ignored. Even if it was a small "fender bender", your neck may have suffered trauma caused by whiplash. While whiplash isn't known for being fatal, it can lead to severe disability if not properly treated.

"Chronic neck pain starts off as a minor discomfort but may grow quickly or over time into a serious pain that shoots down through the arms. Again, this neck pain usually isn't fatal but can stem from a serious cause of cervical herniated disc or foraminal stenosis.

"When neck pain is combined with stiffness and sensitivity to light, or nausea it is considered a medical emergency. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Without proper care this can be fatal.

Sometimes it's hard to know the difference between a serious neck pain and a general one, even with the help of "Oops". Visiting a local chiropractic office the moment you become concerned is a good way of getting serious treatment or just practical solutions to ease the pain and keep it from returning.