Neck Pain: Should You See a Chiropractor?
By Sara Butler
Everyone wakes up with a stiff neck from time to time, right? Or maybe your neck feels a little sore at the end of a long work day. That’s just par for the course -- isn't it? Well, a chiropractor will disagree with you! Neck pain, soreness, stiffness, and reduced range of motion are anything but normal, but it does seem to happen a lot. When is your neck pain “bad enough” to get to the chiropractor?
Home Treatments
First you should try a few things at home to help you deal with the pain. You can manage neck pain at home with:
- Ice – A cold compress, ice pack or even a frozen bag of peas can work wonders for your neck. The cold helps to reduce inflammation, so hold a cold pack on for 20 minutes, and then leave it off for 40.
- Look at your pillow – Is your pillow right for your sleeping position? If you’re a side or back sleeper, you need a firm or extra firm pillow. A pillow that is too flat will force your neck to remain in an unnatural position.
- Neck exercises – You should try to lightly stretch your neck to loosen up stiff muscles. Look up and down and then from side to side, but make sure not to stretch so much that it causes you pain.
Should You Drive?
If you need to get to the chiropractor for a stiff neck, should you drive there? If you can’t turn your neck past your shoulder, then you definitely shouldn’t be driving. Call a cab or see if a friend or family member can take you.
When to Get to the Chiropractor
Even if you’re doing things at home to help control the pain, you need to recognize the reason you’re having pain needs to be found and addressed. If you need definite signs to convince you that it’s time to visit the chiropractor, you should go if:
- Your neck pain doesn’t get better after a couple of days
- You can’t look left or right without severe pain
- You have to use over-the-counter pain medication to function
- You’re worried about the reasons behind your neck pain
- Your neck pain has progressed to pain, numbness or tingling in the arms
- Your neck pain is worse in the morning
If your neck is stiff and painful, don't delay - get to The Joint Chiropractic today!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.