Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a desk jockey, you know that pain in the neck can be debilitating. The same goes for headaches and other signs of neck pain. The best solution is to avoid it before it even starts by seeing a credible Upland neck pain chiropractor as soon as you feel lingering pain in your neck.
Important Info About Neck Pain
Whether or not your neck pain has been going on for months, here are some essential things one ought to know when dealing with your situation:
#1. Neck pain is nothing to shrug off
Neck pain is not a trivial matter. Neck pain can be caused by various factors, from muscle strain to pinched nerves, and the symptoms can range from mild to debilitating. Even if you’re experiencing minor neck pain that seems to go away on its own within a few days, it’s important to see your doctor or your trusted Upland neck pain chiropractor for further tests to make sure it doesn’t progress into something more serious.
While most cases of chronic neck pain are caused by an underlying condition such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, some injuries can cause temporary or even permanent damage—and they often involve fractions of millimeter vertebral subluxation.
The most common types of injuries are those that occur while lifting heavy objects; these include:
- Compression fractures (damage caused when two bones squeeze together)
- Dislocations (in which the bones move out of alignment)
- Sprains (when ligaments stretch beyond their limits)
#2. Doing spinal adjustments on yourself is not a good idea
Don’t try to adjust your neck. This can lead to injury, especially if you have an existing injury or condition that makes this dangerous. Having a friend or family member adjust your neck is also not a good idea for the same reasons. With the neck being a crucial part of your whole system, any form of damage to it can lead to substantial consequences, be it now or in the future. Be extra careful of your neck and be very proactive about any pain or ache that plagues it for more than a week or two.
#3. Your atlas vertebra is crucial to maintaining optimal spinal health
Your atlas is the foundation of your spine. It sits between your skull and upper cervical spine, connecting your occipital bone to the first cervical vertebrae in the front. This small but significant structure is essential in supporting and protecting these areas while ensuring they work together effectively.
The atlas supports all other spinal structures, including cranial nerves, which provide sensory input from various body parts. When it’s out of alignment, it can lead to several symptoms, such as headaches or numbness and tingling across one side or both sides of our face, as well as neck pain when trying to turn our head sideways or to look behind us.
How Degrees of Spinal Misalignment Affects You
Misalignment of your spine can cause various symptoms, including neck pain and headaches. Here are some of the degrees to how your spine may get misaligned and cue you on the severity of your neck pain.
60-degree misalignment
The 60-degree misalignment is a prevalent problem in individuals who sit at a computer for a long time. Your trusted Upland neck pain chiropractor can often correct this misalignment with a gentle spinal adjustment.
With this angle, your neck deals with 60 pounds of pressure and weight from your head – five times the actual weight it is made to carry. Additionally, this increases your risk for chronic pain in the cervical spine because of the excessive mechanical stress on the discs and ligaments stabilizing your neck and nearby structures.
45-degree misalignment
A 45-degree misalignment is the most common angle for your shoulders while working on laptops or binge-watching your series. This angle puts about 49 pounds of pressure on your spine, which falls directly on your neck. It can cause headaches, muscle pain and stiffness, back pain, hip pain, and shoulder pain.
To address this problem at home, you can use a laptop stand or a notebook holder that raises your laptop to eye level. You might also consider using an ergonomic mouse and keyboard, which can help reduce strain on your wrists, shoulders, and neck or seek a chiropractor for help.
30-degree misalignment
If you’re an avid phone user, you know that 30-degree misalignment is the most likely cause of your neck pain problems. This happens when you use your phone for calls without earphones or lean toward your phone to see something tiny on the screen. The angle causes 40 pounds of pressure on your neck and usually starts off people’s poor posture. The 30-degree angle has been identified as the threshold for pain in the upper back and neck, causing muscle tightness and fatigue, headaches and migraines, or poor posture. Thankfully, you can correct it with the help of a few lifestyle adjustments and trips to your chiropractic doctor.
15-degree misalignment
This degree gives the difference between a comfortable ride and an uncomfortable one. The 15-degree misalignment will increase risks for damage and pressure on your spine. It imposes a good 27 pounds on your neck, which is the weight of two bowling balls or three toddler children! If you feel like you have a 15-degree misalignment, it’s time to see your favorite Upland neck pain chiropractor before things get worse. The sooner you learn or know about it, the better chance we can take care of it quickly and prevent any lasting harm from happening to your spine.
Dr. Kyle Murray – Trusted Upland Neck Pain Chiropractor
For quality chiropractic care from a credible neck pain chiropractor, visit Atlas Brain and Spine! Dr. Kyle Murray will help you make the necessary adjustments to your spine no matter what angle it has moved. Atlas Brain and Spine has been in operation for years and has helped many people plagued by neck pain and its symptoms. Book your appointment today! You can contact us through email, phone (909) 982-9100 or our online consultation form.
