Common Symptoms Experienced:

• pain with on one side or both sides of the neck 

• pain with varying ranges of motion

• stiffness in varying ranges of motion

• pain referring into the shoulder blade/upper back on one or both sides

• pain radiating into the arm/hand (s)

• discomfort pain with activities of daily living

• concurrent headaches 

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Common Causes of Neck Pain:

• prolonged strain/posture

• repetitive movements 

• stress/increased muscle tension

• muscle/coordination imbalances

• injuries in adjacent regions of the body

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Treatment Approach:

While neck pain is pervasive and affects many people across the world, the approach to managing it can look different for different people. In order to understand how to create change, we must assess and appreciate what is unique to an individual's experience. A plan in place may incorporate some of the following:

• hands-on manual therapy

• electro- or contemporary acupuncture

• joint manipulation or mobilization

• muscle release

• exercise prescription

• ergonomic advice

• sport-specific training/rehab

• mobility programming

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FAQ:

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Can a chiropractor help with neck pain?

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A chiropractor in Canada is well equipped to provide non-invasive strategies for managing neck pain. There are different ways chiropractors practice in Canada though. It's important to work with someone who is following evidence-informed treatment strategies, which should include things like education, exercise prescription, activity modification and forms of manual therapy.

 

Is chiropractic treatment for your neck dangerous?

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Some chiropractic treatment involving the neck like spinal manipulation may seem scary and sometimes come with a bad rep. It is important to note that spinal manipulation like other forms of health care involve some level of side effect or risk to it. Spinal manipulation is considered to be a safe and effective form of treatment for mechanical neck pain, for the right person. While this may be recommended for you, it is not an all-or-none approach. You ultimately decide what you are and aren't comfortable with. If spinal manipulation is not something you are comfortable with, other approaches can be taken to help you. 

 

Should I stop exercising with neck pain?

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Great question. It can depend. It is important to get screened by a relevant health professional first but generally, for most low back pain, continuing to stay active and modifying exercise is encouraged. 

 

Do I need imaging?

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For 98-99% of neck pain, imaging is not necessary, though it would still be important to be screened for red flags by a health professional to know for certain. In fact, there is considerable research to say that imaging low backs when it isn't indicated can actually be more harmful than helpful because it can create worry over structures that need not be worrisome. 

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Can I still work out during treatment?

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Absolutely. There may be some different exercises prioritized at different parts of your recovery but complete rest is usually not recommended. 

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How many visits will I need?

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This can depend on a few variables like, severity, history of injuries, level of activity, overall health status, and structures involved. Generally, when creating a treatment plan, we meet more frequently in the beginning (once-twice a week) and taper as progress is seen to a point where we may be checking in periodically for maintenance/tune-ups/exercise progression. ​​​​