Whether you woke up with a stiff neck or suffered an injury, neck pain can dramatically affect your quality of life. Not only can it limit your daily activities, but it can also put you in a bad mood. At West Chiropractic Clinic in Soldotna, AK, their team of chiropractic specialists offer comprehensive care to alleviate back and neck pain, restoring your quality of life.

3 Causes of Neck Pain & How They’re Treated

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is a common cause of neck pain and occurs when the neck is quickly jolted forward then backward. It’s an injury many people experience in car accidents, but it can also result from a sports accident or other types of trauma. Chiropractic treatment for whiplash varies based on the severity of the injury, but may include massage therapy and spinal adjustments.

2. Herniated Disc

Also known as a slipped disc, a herniated disc is a rupture of the outer layer of the disc, which allows the soft inner layer to bulge out of place. This type of injury can cause both neck and back pain and may result from poor posture, being overweight, or trauma to the back or neck. To treat neck pain caused by a herniated disc, your chiropractor will conduct a thorough spinal evaluation. Then, based on their findings, they may use a technique called flexion-distraction. It uses a special table to gently stretch the spine and move the disc back into place.

3. Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve may result from a herniated disc. A joint pressing on the nerve can also cause pain, as can tight muscles. A pinched nerve typically does not cause pain at the site of the nerve, but rather the pain radiates to other areas. Therefore, you may require a combination of chiropractic treatments, including massage therapy and spinal adjustments and alignments, to relieve your neck pain.

At West Chiropractic Clinic, treatment plans are personalized to meet your specific needs. Your chiropractor will conduct a thorough evaluation before developing a custom treatment plan to address your neck pain. To learn more about their family chiropractic clinic, visit their website. When you’re ready to schedule an appointment, give them a call at (907) 262-9171.