Neck Pain Specialists in Omaha, NE
Neck pain is one of the most common reasons why Americans require chiropractic treatment and physiotherapy, with neck pain being the second most common form of chronic pain after back pain. Busy lives and the demands of certain jobs mean that neck pain can very quickly occur with little to no warning. Long stints of driving, falls, and prolonged time spent in awkward positions can all result in neck pain, from minor cases to those that are much more severe.
Suffering from neck pain can be bad at the best of times, but when the problem persists, it can drastically change your everyday life. Persistent neck pain can cause you to miss work, avoid the activities that you love, and even struggle to do everyday tasks that before you could complete with ease. Sadly, this is a problem that is faced by an extraordinary number of people every day.
If you are suffering from neck pain, then one of the most effective steps you can take is to book a consultation with a neck pain specialist. An Omaha, Nebraska neck pain specialist can help to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of neck pain. With efficient, professional treatment, not only can the pain be alleviated, but also the reason the pain occurred in the first place. This means that you can move forward with peace of mind that the pain is not going to quickly return.
To better understand your neck pain and identify its cause, it can be highly beneficial to learn more about the types of neck pain and how they are caused. By understanding why neck pain occurs, you can help prevent common problems, both by working with a specialist neck pain chiropractor and by making a few lifestyle adjustments.
The Different Types of Neck Pain
Not all instances of neck pain are the same. Very often, neck pain occurs and quickly subsides, with no further consequences. However, there are cases where persistent pain can last days, weeks, and even months. One of the worst ways that you can approach neck pain is to rely on plain relief or simply ignore the problem. This will lower your quality of life and mean you can’t fully enjoy the pastimes you love most. To move past your neck pain, it is important to identify the type of pain you have and seek professional treatment to stop it at its source.
Neck pain comes in all shapes and forms, with one of the most common being mechanical neck pain. If you are suffering from mechanical neck pain, it can be relatively simple to treat, and doing so will greatly improve your quality of life. Generally, with mechanical neck pain, it is a problem with either the ligaments, muscles, or joints. With the right chiropractic care and regular treatment to prevent problems, you could be fighting fit in no time.
More severe neck pain can translate into much bigger problems, which may require a more regular course of treatment to relieve the neck pain and prevent it in the future. Severe neck pain can occur when nerves are damaged, such as becoming irritated or trapped. General wear and tear over the years can be the reason behind this, along with many problems that require the help of an Omaha, Nebraska neck pain specialist.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
Just as there are multiple types of neck pain, there are also a vast number of reasons that can cause it. Sudden trauma, the stresses and pressures of everyday life, and bad habits with posture and sleeping can all lead to short-term and long-term problems that require neck pain treatments. This can also further cause pain and damage to other areas of the body, like the back and shoulders. Some of the most common causes of neck pain include:
- Poor Posture
- Trauma (such as whiplash)
- Wear and Tear
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Sports Injuries
- Awkward Positions (such as when sleeping)
- Overuse or Repetitive Use
Common Symptoms of Neck Pain
Neck pain doesn’t always develop the same way and can change significantly, even when the causes are very similar. The symptoms can develop very slowly, getting worse until they are difficult to ignore. The reverse is also possible, with multiple symptoms appearing simultaneously, each with varying severity.
In cases of trauma or injury, symptoms can be delayed or appear immediately. There are a number of common symptoms associated with neck pain, but not all will occur in every case. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Headaches or head pain
- Soreness in the neck
- Sharp or radiating pain
- Weakness or numbness that is not isolated to the neck
- Difficulty lifting or gripping
- Stiffness in the neck
Treatments for Neck Pain
If you are suffering from one or more of the symptoms of neck pain, then it is very important to seek the help of an Omaha, Nebraska neck pain specialist, as well as start treatment at home. There are a number of ways you can help reduce the symptoms of neck pain at home. When combined with specialist neck pain treatment from a professional, the underlying problems and pain can be quickly and efficiently addressed.
By addressing the cause of the neck pain rather than just the pain itself, the treatment can be long-lasting. This is a big contrast to medication, where only the pain is addressed, and the reason for the pain is not considered. Investing in a long-term solution is beneficial for your current health and well-being.
Treatment at Home
If your neck pain was the result of trauma, then it is essential to seek professional help as quickly as possible. However, for standard neck pain that has developed over time or appeared quickly, home neck pain treatments can be much more beneficial than many people think. This is especially the case when the alternative is standard pain medication. Home treatments can stop the pain from getting worse, and in many situations, address part of the cause behind the pain.
Rest and relaxation, while not a cure-all, can go a long way to relieving the pressure and easing your neck pain. All that many simple sprains need is time and the ability to heal without excessive exertion. Applying ice to your neck can also bring pain relief, but also help any swelling to subside, and help the area heal properly. With regular massage to any areas of stiffness or tension, the symptoms can be quickly reduced.
Chiropractic Neck Pain Treatment
If your neck pain is persistent, and simple home treatments aren’t reducing the pain, a visit to an Omaha, Nebraska neck pain specialist is the next step. This is especially important if the pain has been consistent for a few days, it is very painful to move your neck, or you’re concerned that there may be a serious underlying cause to the pain.
The first step in neck pain treatment is a specialist diagnosis. This will enable the chiropractor to understand the cause of the pain and suggest the best treatments to reduce it and prevent the problems from recurring later. Generally, this will include a full examination and consultation before a treatment plan is designed specifically for your needs.
Many neck pain treatments are highly technical and should only be performed by a trained chiropractor. One of the most common among these treatments is neck adjustment, which involves the careful manipulation of the neck. Spinal manipulation and instrument-assisted manipulation are also common specialist techniques that may be required.
The type of neck pain and the length of time the pain has been present can both influence which technique is most effective. In some cases, further manual therapy treatments may also be used, such as trigger point therapy to relieve tight muscles and therapeutic massage. Whichever treatment is decided upon, your chiropractor will ensure your comfort and well-being are the highest priority throughout, so you’ll only ever need to focus on your recovery.
Preventing Neck Pain
After treatment with an Omaha, Nebraska neck pain specialist, it is essential to focus on rehabilitation and prevention methods to stop similar problems from occurring in the future. Rehabilitation after neck pain treatment focuses on aftercare and the necessary requirements to return your body to a healthy state.
Your specialist neck pain treatment will likely involve a tailored rehabilitation plan that includes practicing many prevention methods to be continued in the future. A significant aspect of this rehabilitation is neck exercise. Tailored neck exercises can help you slowly restore the correct motion in your neck, preventing any further neck pain from occurring soon after treatment.
Further rehabilitation could take the form of minor lifestyle changes, which, whilst seemingly insignificant, can help eliminate the main causes of your neck pain. This could include changes to your posture whilst sitting or standing, which can also help other areas of your body. It may also be advisable to avoid activities that are prone to damaging the neck.
Changing sleeping positions and investing in an orthopedic pillow can also stop the onset of neck problems associated with awkward positioning. During your consultation with your specialist neck pain chiropractor, your individual needs will be discussed to establish a thorough and effective ongoing treatment plan.
How Quickly Will the Neck Pain Subside?
Due to the vast differences between neck pain causes and types, it can be very difficult to put an exact time frame on how long it will take for the pain to fade completely. In some instances, after a professional treatment, the pain may begin to lessen immediately, making it much easier for you to resume normal activities after taking the time to allow your neck to recover.
Generally, the overall effectiveness of specialist neck pain treatment will depend on how well the rehabilitation progresses, what treatments were undertaken, and how long the neck pain has been present. For a quicker recovery, it is vital to follow the recommendations provided by your neck pain specialist in Omaha, Nebraska.
Why Choose Omaha Central Chiropractic?
When suffering from neck pain, it can be difficult to see past the pain and focus on a long-term solution. It is because of this that so many Americans rely on courses of pain relief whenever their neck symptoms get so bad that they can’t function as they need to. While pain relief is an effective immediate solution, it does not address the reason that the pain is likely to keep coming back again and again.
At Omaha Central Chiropractic, we believe the only solution to neck pain is one that will last. Instead of focusing solely on the neck problem’s outcome, we look at the underlying causes and create a tailored treatment plan that addresses the root cause of severe, persistent, or recurring neck pain.
Our specialist neck pain chiropractor team will work with you to find the right treatment and help you to return to a good quality of life, where you no longer need to worry about missing out on the things you enjoy because of neck pain.
No matter the cause of your neck pain or its symptoms, our passionate, dedicated approach to helping patients means you will always receive the very best care. With a friendly face and expertise that you can trust, we can help you turn neck pain into a thing of the past.
