Neck Pain Specialist

What is neck pain?

Your neck (cervical spine) is made of the seven smallest, most delicate bones (vertebrae) in your spine. The neck supports the weight of your head and provides a wide range of motion, leaving it vulnerable to pain and injury. 

Neck pain can make it difficult to turn your head, which may interfere with normal activities like driving or going to work. Neck pain often occurs with other symptoms, like headaches and upper back pain. 

What causes neck pain?

Many issues can lead to neck pain. Dr. Hancock treats a variety of neck pain causes, including:

Muscle tension and strain

Poor posture, such as looking down at a computer for too long or sleeping in an odd position, can strain the muscles in your neck and lead to pain. Stress and clenching your jaw can also lead to neck tension.

Injury

Car accidents, bad falls, and sports injuries can all force the joints, muscles, and ligaments of your neck out of normal position. 

Herniated discs

Herniated discs most often occur in your lower back, but they can also affect your cervical spine. This condition happens when some of the gel-like material in a disc presses on a nerve. 

How is neck pain treated?

First, Dr. Hancock carefully evaluates your condition and performs a physical exam. He asks you to describe your neck pain and any symptoms that occur with it, such as headaches or numbness and tingling in your arms. 

Dr. Hancock may take a digital X-ray to accurately diagnose your condition and check for abnormalities in your spine that may cause neck pain. Then, he develops a personalized treatment plan.

Depending on your specific needs, chiropractic treatment for neck pain may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments, or hands-on manipulation of your cervical spine
• iTrac® spinal remodeling, a computerized traction system that gently stretches your neck
• Therapeutic exercises and stretches you can do at home
• Interferential current therapy, which uses electrical stimulation to promote healing
• Ultrasound therapy, which uses sound waves to promote healing

To find out how you can relieve neck pain without drugs or invasive procedures, call Dr. Hancock at Smoky Hill Chiropractic or book an appointment online today.