The small vertebrae in your neck are especially susceptible to overuse and traumatic injuries. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained during a car accident, but you can suffer the same problem any time your body takes a hit that’s powerful enough to force your neck into a rapid back-and-forth motion.
It’s also easy to strain your neck from sleeping awkwardly or bending your head when using electronics. Over the years, the tissues in your neck gradually degenerate, leading to conditions such as herniated discs, arthritis, and spinal stenosis.
Any injury or degenerative condition can result in pinched nerves, which is a condition called cervical radiculopathy.
A pinched nerve causes additional neck pain and pain and tingling sensations that travel along the length of the injured nerve. Since the cervical nerves travel into your head and through your shoulder and arms, you may also end up with the following:
Without treatment, the damaged nerve could cause muscle weakness in the affected area.
During your evaluation, Dr. Henze asks detailed questions about your neck pain, learning when it started, what makes it better or worse, and whether the pain radiates to other body areas. He performs a physical exam, evaluating your spine, muscle strength, range of motion, posture, and reflexes.
Dr. Henze may also perform a neurological exam, take digital X-rays, and use computer-aided testing to determine the root cause of your pain. Depending on the results of your in-office assessment, he may order additional testing or diagnostic imaging if needed.
Dr. Henze uses gentle chiropractic techniques to realign your neck (cervical spine). In addition to manual manipulation, he may use the Thompson drop table, another gentle technique to improve spinal joint movement.
Your treatment could also include other therapies, such as:
An exercise regimen is important to restore neck strength and mobility. However, Dr. Henze begins with easy movements that gently stretch the tissues and gradually adds more strenuous activities to your exercise plan as you heal.
Call Henze Chiropractic & Wellness or use the online booking feature today to begin treatment that eases your neck pain.