Many of us will have neck pain at some point in our life. This can be anything from a mild discomfort to severe, disabling pain. The pain can be in your neck or across your shoulders.

You may also have stiffness, headaches or other associated pains. You may find that your neck pain is affecting your day to day activities. For some people their neck pain can persist for a long time (chronic) impacting their quality of life and work.

In most cases of neck pain, the cause of the pain is not due to a serious disease but due to mechanical problems to do with the musculoskeletal system. This means your neck pain may be originating from your spine and muscles.

Neck pain can come on gradually and slowly for some. This could be due to poor posture or wear and tear of the joints. Or your neck pain can come on very suddenly and quite intense. This is usually due to strains, injuries or sleeping in an awkward position.

If you are suffering from neck pain, chiropractic may be the answer. We are experienced in spinal healthcare and we’ve helped many people with pain relief, without the use of drugs or surgery.

Chiropractic focuses on mechanical problems of the spine. A consultation with us will help identify the cause of your neck pain and if yours is a chiropractic case, we can then recommend a suitable treatment plan. We also give you specific advice on exercises and lifestyle or workplace adjustments.

The most common type of neck pain is Mechanical Neck Pain and is usually due to problems with muscles, ligaments, discs, nerves and joints in your spine.

This may include minor strains and sprains to muscles or ligaments, joint irritation or restricted joint movement, nerve irritation or pinched nerves. Neck pain may also come from areas near the neck such as your upper back and shoulders.

Many things can trigger neck pain. Usually, everyday activities are to blame. Such activities include bending over a desk for hours, having poor posture at work or while watching TV or reading, placing your computer monitor too high or too low, using your computer for long periods without a break, sleeping in an uncomfortable position or twisting and jarring your neck while exercising. Worry and stress can also cause or contribute to neck problems.

Your Chiropractor is highly qualified to find out the cause of your neck pain. As Chiropractors, we deal with mechanical problems of the musculoskeletal system, with particular focus on the spine. If your problem is not a chiropractic case, we will then refer you to your GP or an appropriate health care specialist.

Your neck is made up of the cervical spine and the muscles and ligaments that surround it. Your cervical spine is made up of seven bones called vertebrae, numbered C1 to C7.

Between each of your vertebrae is a disc (intervertebral disc), made of a tough outer layer and a softer gel-like inner part. The discs act like ‘shock absorbers’ and allow your spine to be flexible.

Strong ligaments attach your vertebrae and discs together giving it extra support and strength. A number of muscles are attached to your cervical spine enabling your spine to bend and move.

The spinal cord contains nerves carrying messages to and from the brain and is protected by the spine. Nerves that come out from between the vertebrae in the neck, take and receive messages to the neck and arms.

Preventing neck problems is about maintaining the good movement in your neck and reducing stresses on your neck.

Having regular chiropractic checkups will help keep the joints moving better thus reducing recurrences of your problem.