The neck is a sensitive area, and just about everyone experiences pain in the neck once in a while. Neck pain can range from a minor crick that is an occasional nuisance, to severe, debilitating pain.
When you're living with chronic neck pain, it can make just about everything you have to do more difficult. Neck pain can get in the way of you working, enjoying hobbies, taking care of yourself, and can even make it difficult to get a good night's sleep.
Some people ignore neck pain; others can't ignore it. Usually, neck pain is treated with ice packs, heating pads, pain medication, or physical therapy. These are treatments that help you live with neck pain though, they are not cures.
The root of neck pain is usually a misalignment in the upper cervical spine. For most people, an upper cervical adjustment can help alleviate neck pain problems.
Causes And Symptoms of Neck Pain in Knoxville
Neck pain has many potential sources. It may be due to stress and tension, poor posture, sleeping in bad positions, accidents, injuries, degenerative disorders, or general wear and tear that comes with aging.
Neck pain is most often felt in the neck, but it can also cause pain that extends to the shoulders, upper back, or head. You may experience a decreased range of motion, loss of coordination, or muscle weakness. In more serious conditions, some people may experience bowel or bladder control issues or may feel numbness or tingling in the limbs.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Neck Pain
The upper cervical spine is part of the spine that runs through the neck, going from the base of the skull into the upper back. This part of the spine alone holds up the weight of the head and is responsible for the movement of the head and neck. This part of the spine is also at that crucial junction where the brain stem meets the spinal cord.
When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it can lead to neck pain. If left untreated, it can lead to a domino effect of health problems. Inflammation and swelling in the neck can exacerbate symptoms like pain and stiffness. As your body unconsciously shifts to accommodate the misalignment, it can cause undue strain on joints, ligaments, and muscles going down the rest of the back.
Upper cervical misalignments may also compress nerves and disrupt nerve signals. These signals are sent by the brain to control the body's vital functions, including the immune system. When nerve signals are disrupted it can cause a wide variety of health problems.
How We Treat Neck Pain in Knoxville
At Upper Spine Knoxville, we help treat neck pain by getting to the root of the problem and correcting it. Our Dr. Bejian Shamloo is an upper cervical specialist in Knoxville, Tennessee, who uses state-of-the-art technology for superior chiropractic care.
Traditionally, chiropractors have used 2-dimensional black-and-white X-rays and hands-on palpations to try and detect spinal misalignments, but these old-fashioned screening methods still left a lot of guesswork. Dr. Shamloo's screenings are far more advanced, using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), advanced 3-D imaging, and infrared thermography for more accurate diagnosis. He is then able to make corrections with more precision and a gentler touch that holds longer.
Once the upper cervical spine is corrected it relieves neck pain. The body's natural healing processes can take over and restore health and wellness.
If you have neck pain in Knoxville, you don't have to live with it. Have a consultation with Dr. Shamloo before that neck pain turns into something worse. Dr. Shamloo can provide a safe, non-invasive, drug-free treatment for your neck pain. Call for an appointment; our areas of coverage include Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.