Neck pain and neck stiffness can result from tension and/or muscle strain, and commonly affects regions near the neck, including the shoulder, jaw, head and upper arms. The term “stiff” neck is often used to describe the pain that results when moving your neck, especially from side-to-side. HealthSource doctors and staff effectively work to relieve your pain by freeing trapped nerves and easing stiff joints.

Causes:
Causes for neck pain very with most being treatable through conservative care.  Causes include:  Muscle Tension, Degenerative Changes, Disc Herniations, Nerve Compression, Automobile Accidents causing whiplash, and various other causes. Other causes include diseases such as meningitis, rheumatic fever, and cancer.

Risk Factors:
Age and occupation are the two main risk factors.  Postural changes predispose the body to degenerative changes through abnormal wear on the muscle and joints.

Signs Symptoms:

• Pain with turning or bending the head
• Pain shooting into the arms
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness of the hands or arms
• Burning of the upper shoulder or back of the head
• Headaches
• Changes to Bowel or Bladder habits

Tests:
X-rays or MRI may need to be ordered depending on each individual case.  Occasionally, neck pain can indicate the need for laboratory tests.

Treatment:
Treatment begins with conservative treatment through massage, manipulation, and rehabilitation, a combination found at HealthSource Chirorpactic and Progressive Rehab.
Allopathic treatments often include muscle relaxants, pain medication, and surgical repair.