Understanding Neck Pain
Believe it or not, the average weight of the human head is a full 11 pounds!
This may not seem like a lot, but imagine you had to actually hold that weight in your hands and up above your shoulders every day, all day year after year for the rest of your life.
That’s what your neck has to do. Thinking about it within this context makes you appreciate how well it actually works.
In addition to the structural support, the bones and muscles of your neck need to work together in perfect harmony for you to move your head around through so many different motions. It does this without neck stiffness, tightness, or neck pain if it’s functioning properly.
This is what really has you searching for, “why does my neck hurt.”
It’s no surprise then that you may experience tightness, stiffness, soreness, discomfort and maybe even pain as a result of postural changes, injuries, and arthritis in and around your neck.
Neck Tightness, Muscle Spasms, and Pain
If you’ve ever had a stiff neck and couldn’t turn your head for a day or two, you know how completely distracting that pain can be.
Those sharp muscle spasms that restrict your ability to move – ouch!
However, what many of us don’t realize is that our body may be trying to protect a joint that isn’t moving correctly.
Almost every bone in your neck has a pair of sliding joints towards the back called facet joints.
If an adhesion forms on those joints or they become “stuck,” your body will try to compensate, and that can lead to other challenges like muscle spasms if not addressed quickly.
If you’re living with neck pain and wondering “why does my neck hurt”, here’s what you should remember…
- Sudden injuries like often occurs in a car accident, arthritis, and postural issues can all contribute to neck pain.
- The small sliding joints (facet joints) of your neck can become “stuck” and that condition can lead to muscle spasms and pain.
- Gentle spinal adjustments combined with daily stretching can help restore the motion of your facet joints and reduce your pain.
If Your Have Neck Pain, Spasms, Tightness, or Stiffness – Here’s What To Do Next:
It’s best to get a good evaluation in our Texarkana office so you can stop wondering “why does my neck hurt.”
A stiff, tight, and sore neck is your body’s way of saying “pay attention!”
Even if that stiffness comes and goes, it’s a smart idea to have us evaluate what’s going on. There are many different issues that can occur and some are more serious while others might indicate a problem that will worsen or in other cases may be fairly easy to correct.
Taking care of small challenges before they become big issues is being proactive with your health. This is always the best approach with any health problem. Yes, pain, soreness, stiffness, and tightness mean there is a health problem.
Coming in to see us allows you to find out what’s really wrong. This also means you can reduce your risk of future of neck pain and stiffness. You may also reduce risks of arthritis, disc problems, and even future injuries.
Whether neck pain is something you often experience or something you hope to never know, it’s a smart idea to give us a call.
We’re your Texarkana neck pain treatment center, our doors are open, and we’re here to help!
Science Source(s):
The Cervical Spine Before, During and After Manipulation. The Spine Journal. 2018.
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