Neck Pain Treatment at Thrive Chiropractic

The average human head weighs approximately 10 to 12 pounds.

For every inch your head moves forward from its normal position, the stress placed on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck dramatically increases.

Over time, this can create:

• Joint Dysfunction
• Muscle Tightness
• Poor Posture
• Spinal Misalignment
• Vertebral Subluxations
• Disc Stress
• Nerve Irritation
• Chronic Inflammation

Many patients don't realize that neck pain often develops over months or years before symptoms finally become noticeable.

At Thrive Chiropractic, we frequently see neck pain caused by:

• Poor Posture
• Text Neck
• Computer Work
• Auto Accidents
• Whiplash Injuries
• Sports Injuries
• Sleeping Positions
• Stress & Muscle Tension
• Disc Injuries
• Degenerative Changes
• Repetitive Movements
• Vertebral Subluxations

Regardless of the cause, identifying the source of the problem is the first step toward lasting improvement.

• Stiffness
• Difficulty Turning Your Head
• Pain Looking Up or Down
• Muscle Tightness
• Pain Between the Shoulders
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Dizziness
• Numbness
• Tingling Into the Arms
• Reduced Range of Motion

Many patients are surprised to learn that symptoms such as headaches, migraines, and dizziness often have a significant neck component.

The upper cervical spine consists of the atlas and axis—the top two bones in the neck.

These vertebrae are responsible for supporting the head while protecting the brainstem and allowing for a tremendous amount of movement.

Because of their unique role in posture, balance, movement, and nervous system communication, dysfunction in this region may contribute to:

• Neck Pain
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Dizziness
• Balance Issues
• Muscle Tension

At Thrive Chiropractic, Dr. Rubinstein has extensive experience utilizing Upper Cervical Chiropractic and Toggle Recoil techniques to evaluate and address dysfunction within this important region of the spine.

This is one of the most common questions we hear.

The answer is:

“For appropriately selected patients, chiropractic neck adjustments are considered very safe when performed by a licensed and properly trained chiropractor.”

Before any adjustment is performed, we conduct a thorough examination that may include:

• Health History
• Neurological Evaluation
• Orthopedic Testing
• Range of Motion Assessment
• Postural Analysis
• Digital X-Rays When Clinically Indicated

This allows us to determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and what techniques may be best for your specific condition.

Research has consistently shown that serious complications associated with cervical chiropractic care are extremely rare.

In fact, many everyday activities such as driving, exercising, playing sports, or even simply turning your head place forces on the neck that often exceed those experienced during a properly delivered chiropractic adjustment.

Patient safety is always our highest priority.

Many people assume the sound is bones cracking.

It's not.

The sound you hear during certain chiropractic adjustments is called joint cavitation.

Inside your joints is a fluid that helps lubricate and nourish the joint.

When a joint moves quickly through its normal range of motion, tiny gas bubbles within the fluid rapidly change pressure and release.

This creates the familiar popping or cracking sound.

Similar sounds can occur when:

• Cracking your knuckles
• Squatting
• Stretching
• Moving certain joints

The sound itself is not what makes the adjustment effective.

Some adjustments create a popping sound, while others create little or no sound at all.

The goal is always the same:

Restore proper movement and function to the joint.

When spinal joints lose proper motion and function, surrounding muscles often tighten, compensate, and become irritated.

Chiropractic adjustments are designed to:

• Restore Joint Motion
• Improve Mobility
• Reduce Mechanical Stress
• Improve Posture
• Reduce Muscle Tension
• Improve Overall Function

Many patients report improvements in pain, stiffness, mobility, and daily activities after beginning care.

One of the most common causes of chronic neck pain is a previous car accident.

Research has shown that whiplash injuries can occur at speeds as low as 5 miles per hour.

Even accidents that cause minimal vehicle damage can create significant stress throughout the neck and spine.

Many patients feel fine immediately after an accident only to develop:

• Neck Pain
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Shoulder Pain
• Stiffness

Days or weeks later.

This is why we always remind patients:

Neck pain is common — but it's not something you simply have to live with.

The sooner injuries are evaluated, the better the opportunity to restore normal function before chronic problems develop.