Neck Pain After Sitting at Your Computer: Can Chiropractic Care Help?

Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, is a problem that affects many office workers, students, and people who sit for long periods during the day. This is one of the most common types of work pain, and the case numbers of neck pain are only rising as time goes by.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at neck pain and discuss whether or not chiropractic care can help you recover from this painful condition.

 

The Cervical Spine

The uppermost portion of the spine, which constitutes the neck, is known as the cervical spine. This portion of the spine is particularly vulnerable to injury, as it is much less hardy than the other regions of the vertebral column and is capable of moving through a greater range of motion.

The cervical spine contains seven distinct vertebrae, from which some of the most important nerves of our body emerge. Therefore, when the tissues surrounding this part of the spine are tight and restricted, it can be very hard to move freely, and patients will often suffer from widespread pain in their upper backs, arms, and hands.

 

Neck Pain Causes

There are a number of reasons why a person might experience neck pain. For instance, a person might have neck pain due to recent or old trauma. When one is involved in a traumatic accident, it can take a very long time for the body to fully heal.

But for the purposes of this post, we’ll take a closer look at postural causes of neck pain, which tend to occur when a person has been sitting at a computer desk for many hours on end for weeks, months, or years.

Postural neck pain is very hard to overcome, as the tissues surrounding the neck often become stiff and immobile, making it difficult to make any progress. The main issue related to postural neck pain is a phenomenon known as Forward Head Posture or FHP. FHP refers to the classic “slumped” position, where the chin is jutted forward, the upper back is rounded, and the neck is bent at a sharp angle.

This postural abnormality can cause a number of different symptoms, which we’ll examine in the next section.

 

Neck Pain Symptoms

First and foremost, the most common symptom associated with neck pain is, as you might guess, pain in the neck region. However, patients with neck pain can often experience other related symptoms.

For instance, many neck pain sufferers will also demonstrate tingling, burning, and weakness in the arms. This is because the nerves of the neck run down the arms and extend all the way to the hands.

When these nerves are pinched or impeded in any way, patients rapidly lose strength and will often lose sensation in areas of the arms and hands as well. If the issue isn’t resolved quickly, this weakness may become permanent, and the muscles could become functionally useless.

Luckily, chiropractors can help neck pain sufferers overcome their issues quickly with tried and true treatment methods.

 

Chiropractic Care and Neck Pain

Chiropractors are experts in dealing with pain of all types, but they are especially adept at addressing spinal pain. By simply applying a small amount of force to the affected spinal segments, chiropractors can help patients reduce their pain, improve their range of motion, and get their lives back.

Neck pain shouldn’t hold you back from doing the things you love. Our team at Anchor Health Chiropractic, the premiere Noblesville chiropractor, is here to help you overcome your neck issue as fast as possible. Schedule your appointment with us now!