Decatur neck pain relief isn’t hard to find if you know where to look. Many individuals experience neck pain, a very uncomfortable thing to have. Neck pain can be widespread, sharp, dull, and may radiate through the arms or shoulders. Sometimes, it can even cause weakness and numbness in the arms and hands.
This article will cover three common misconceptions or myths about neck pain that are keeping you in the dark. We will then learn three facts about neck pain that will build an understanding of its cause and relief options.
Neck Pain Myths
Myth #1: Neck Pain is Part of Aging
This is one of the most common myths about neck pain. Many people believe, or have been told by others that their chronic aches and pains are just part of the aging process. The fact is, not everybody experiences neck pain as they get older, and you can have neck pain at any age.
Age is a representation of the passage of time. The action or inaction you take during that time is the greatest determining factor to your health. We are what we repeatedly do. In many cases, neck pain does not have a genetic link. Even if your parents suffer from chronic neck pain, it doesn’t mean you will automatically feel the same later on. The problem with this myth is that it causes people to accept the pain as inevitable. This creates a tendency for you not to look for ways to deal with it effectively. Like all other health issues, if you delay caring for a problem, or ignore that it exists, the problem can get worse over time.
Myth #2: My Workplace Is Not Causing My Neck Pain
Work that demands a high level of physical effort such as heavy lifting, pushing, and pulling can surely be a contributing factor for neck pain. However, it is vital never to underestimate the physical demands from office jobs and jobs that require sitting in front of computers, phones, or work stations. Sitting for prolonged periods without small breaks in between can contribute to neck pain, low back pain, and other serious health issues including cardiovascular diseases.
Most neck pains come from maintaining poor posture, slouching, twisting, and repeatedly turning your neck for prolonged periods. Craning your neck downward when looking at your phone can cause neck pain as well. When the neck is tilted, twisted, or bowed for extended periods from work conditions, it contributes to this neck pain.
Myth #3: Neck Pain Is Just a Sign That I Need to Rest
Sometimes when a person experiences neck pain, the usual response is: “I just need to rest, and this will be over later.” Others may resort to an over-the-counter painkiller.
It is true that resting can have a positive impact on traumatic neck injuries (sprains, strains, disc herniation, etc.). However, for chronic neck pain, resting for long periods could aggravate this condition. When a person goes too long without any exercise or physical activities, it can lead to muscle atrophy and stiffness. It can be a vicious and frustrating cycle of pain, preventing movement, and inactivity that causes more pain and more health issues.
Neck Pain Facts
Fact #1: Your Neck Pain Doesn’t Need to Be From a Major Injury
It would seem natural for anyone to ignore neck pain that they experienced right after a sudden minor slip and fall, or a minor fender bender incident, or a slight sports injury.
The fact is, it does not take a lot of force to injure the different tissues of the neck. The cervical spine has seven vertebrae and supported by different soft tissues. During any accident that involves the head or neck, the vertebrae can delicately shift out of alignment, spraining ligaments, and straining muscles. It is crucial to be proactive when it comes to minor mishaps. Make sure to get the proper care even after experiencing a minor accident. Doing so can help you prevent a world of hurt later on. Find an upper cervical chiropractor to get Decatur neck pain relief.
Fact #2: Strengthening Your Neck and Correcting Your Posture Is Your Choice
It is a real challenge to correct old habits. The practice of using poor posture can be hard to fix; it may even seem impossible in the beginning. Why? The reason is that it can be very unnatural to start sitting up properly after getting used to slouching for many months, or even years.
Correct posture is essential to keeping your spine healthy and strong. A healthy central nervous system (CNS), composed of the spine, the brain, and the brainstem, is crucial in keeping you in tip-top shape.
Slouching and doing awkward positions with your neck for prolonged periods due to work can affect your spinal alignment and muscle balance. Stretching exercises for your neck and other muscle groups can help stimulate proper blood flow and keep your heart pumping strong. In short, keeping the spine healthy also helps keep the CNS healthy.
Fact #3: You Can Do Something About Your Neck Pain
However, various neck pain care options do not work for everybody all the time. Medications, for example, only give symptomatic relief. The pain relief is also temporary, and even there are risks of severe side effects. What else can you do?
There are a few doctor-approved mild kinds of exercises that are good for relieving neck pain. These include yoga, walking, and swimming. These are excellent options when you decide to have new healthy activities into your daily routines.
In the end, you are on a constant quest to try to find a natural, safe, and precise method of getting Decatur neck pain relief.
Getting Decatur Neck Pain Relief
There is one form of treatment gaining popularity, known as upper cervical chiropractic care. Upper cervical chiropractors focus on the part of the spine that moves most freely and is the most vulnerable to misalignment. The C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae are unlike the other bones in the spine because these two carry the weight of the head. They also protect the brainstem, a crucial component of the central nervous system.
An upper cervical misalignment, also known as a subluxation, can have adverse effects on the way the neck moves and feels. It can even restrict blood flow between the head and neck, causing a malfunction and affecting the health of the nervous system.
Here at Atlanta Upper Cervical Chiropractic, our upper cervical chiropractor can help patients get Decatur neck pain relief through a natural, safe, and effective procedure.
We exercise a very focused, detailed, and systematic approach to identify the root cause of our patients’ pains. Our goal is not to deal with the symptoms but to accomplish long-lasting relief by correcting the root cause. Whether you are a new patient or a returning one, our office is always welcome to help. Ring our phone: (470) 347-3737 or answer our online form to set an appointment with us.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith, call our Decatur office at 470-347-3737. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.