Chronic Neck Pain
Treatment Norwest
Chiropractic care for neck tension and pain.
Neck pain is fairly common and can be related to posture, injury or a degenerative condition. Persistent neck pain can reduce your quality of life and should be examined by Aurum Health Care’s experienced chronic pain consultants.
If you’re experiencing significant or consistent pain in your neck, reach out to us at (02) 9899 1416, or
Understanding Your Pain
Your body
Your body is an interconnected system. The neck is made up of vertebrae, joints, discs, nerves, ligaments and muscles that all work together to support and move your head while protecting your spinal cord.
A closer look
Your cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, numbered C1 through C7 from top to bottom. These play a crucial role in supporting the head, enabling a wide range of head movements, and protecting the spinal cord.
Causes
Neck pain, or cervicalgia, may happen suddenly, after a motor vehicle accident, for example, or may develop slowly through ‘wear and tear’. Other causes include health conditions that affect your bones, nerves or soft tissues.
Impact
Your pain may be minor and short-lived or it could become so bad that it becomes hard to move, concentrate or sleep. You may also experience stiffness and difficulty moving your head.
At Aurum Health Care, our experienced chiropractors have a clinical interest in diagnosing and managing pain. With a profound understanding of the musculoskeletal system, our team is dedicated to alleviating chronic discomfort and addressing the root causes of your neck pain to prevent its reoccurrence.
Common Types of Pain
Neck Sprains or Strains
This is when damage occurs to your neck’s soft tissues – the ligaments, muscles, discs or other tissues surrounding the cervical spine – through excessive stretch, tears or rupture.
This can be caused by direct trauma, overuse, fatigue, poor posture and sudden movements.
Cervical Discogenic Pain Syndrome
The discs in our spine act like cushions between the vertebrae, helping to keep them from rubbing together and allowing us to move comfortably. When a disc is damaged, it can cause pain and discomfort. This damage can happen for several reasons, including direct injury, repetitive use, poor posture, sudden movements, or wear and tear from aging.
Cervical Meniscoidal Entrapment
When the soft tissue that supports the neck gets trapped by the neck joints, it can cause pain. This can happen due to factors like poor posture, muscle spasms, abnormal biomechanics or staying in one position for too long.
Cervical Facet Syndrome
Facet or Z-joints, are little joints that help to stabilise the spinal column. This syndrome is when these joints are irritated or damaged causing pain.
This could be due to injury, whiplash, cervical disc issues, osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis.
Torticollis (Wry Neck)
Torticollis involves a twisting of the neck, rotating it at an odd angle. This is a complex condition that often requires professional support to treat.
This condition can be present at birth, but can also be caused by injury, viral infection, sudden movements or irritation from the cervical ligaments.
Cervical Degenerative Joint Disease
Cervical DJD refers to the gradual loss of one or more of the cushioning discs in the cervical spine as a result of them breaking down due to wear and tear. The most common form in the cervical spine is usually at the C5/6 and C6/7 levels.
There are many potential causes of this such as poor posture, injury, genetics, metabolic disease, anatomical abnormalities, joint trauma, repetitive joint movements, surgery and even certain medications though it is more common in people over the age of 50.
Common Symptoms
Depending on the cause of your concerns, symptoms can vary greatly. Here are some common symptoms you may be experiencing:
- Pain in the neck and upper shoulders
- Stiffness and pain aggravated with repetitive or heavy use such as computer work
- Decrease in range of movement in your neck
- Pain that radiates into the base of your skull or down your shoulder or arm
- Headaches and tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
- Mid-back pain
- Brachialgia
- Pain with a ‘catching’ feeling when moving your neck
- Dull ache and pain in the neck, which may be sharp during acute episodes
- Head rotation and head tilt
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I treat my pain at home?
However, if you do not understand the cause of your pain some home treatments could cause more problems instead. It is recommended that you seek professional advice to get the best care and treatment.
How can Aurum Health Care treatments help me?
With one-on-one care from a chronic pain consultant, you can receive the treatment you need and gain an understanding of your condition. This knowledge can help guide you forward so that you can feel confident in your personal home care.
What treatments can I expect?
At Aurum Health Care, we can also utilise heat and cold therapy to relieve tension and inflammation. Ice is recommended for people with injuries, discogenic pain, meniscoid entrapment and cervical facet syndrome. Heat is recommended for people living with degenerative joint disease.
What to Expect
In-depth Knowledge
Examination
Personalised Treatment
Norwest Chiropractic Care
We provide care for patients in Norwest and nearby suburbs, including Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Bella Vista, Cherrybrook, Glenwood, Kellyville, Pennant Hills, Rogans Hill, Glenhaven, Dural, and beyond in the Hills District. Book an appointment today to benefit from our support.