Chiropractic - Safe and Effective Treatment for Neck Pain

Bellevue Chiropractor Dr. Keith McGahey has been providing effective treatment for neck pain since 1998. 

Chiropractic treatment, combined with Active Release Technique, is a safe and powerful combination for relieving neck pain, stiffness and soreness, while improve neck flexibility. 

If you suffer from neck pain and are curious if Chiropractic or Active Release Technique can help you, please read on.  Or give us a call to set up a FREE consultation with Dr. McGahey.

 

Neck Pain and Upper Back Pain - An Overview

Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a Chiropractor. In fact, two thirds of the population will suffer from neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain is often accompanied by shoulder pain, upper back pain, or headaches, but in some cases people also experience numbness, pain or tingling of the arms, hands and fingers. 

Because the neck is designed to be incredibly flexible, allowing you to move your head in almost any direction, it is very susceptible to pain, stiffness, and injury.  And it is especially susceptible to a specific type of injury called Repetitive Strain Injury, or RSI.  If you spend a lot of time using a computer and have neck pain, you’re probably already suffering from RSI. 

 

What's Causing my Neck Pain and Upper Back Pain?

Most cases of neck pain will fall into one of two categories:

(1) Neck Pain Caused by ‘Repetitive Strain or Wear and Tear’

Poor posture, computer use, driving, and other normal daily activities can all cause repetitive stress on the muscles and joints of the neck and spine. The muscles become weak causing the head to sit forward from the shoulders (poor posture) which leads to further strain on the muscles and joints of the neck. This type of injury is called Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Over time this can lead to chronic neck pain and stiffness, shoulder pain, back pain and headaches. 

Chiropractic treatment can help restore normal motion to the joints of the neck, while Active Release Technique can break up scar tissue, stretch chronically tight muscles, help improve posture and eliminate pain.

(2) Neck Pain Caused by Injuries or Accidents

Whiplash, also known as neck strain or sprain, is one of the most common injuries leading to neck pain.  But contrary to popular belief, automobile accidents are not the only cause of whiplash.  Playing sports, especially contact sports, accidental falls, and even jarring movements like those experienced on a roller coaster can cause a whiplash injury. 

Any sudden force or jarring movement of the neck or head that causes movement beyond the neck’s normal range of motion can damage the joints, discs, muscles, ligaments and nerves of the neck.  After this type of injury the muscles will tighten up and become fatigued, leading to pain, stiffness and fatigue.  If the injury is bad enough, headaches, dizziness, shoulder pain, or even numbness and tingling of the arms and hands can develop. 

If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury, it’s important to see a Chiropractor or other health care provider who specializes in this type of injury as soon as possible.  The longer a whiplash injury goes untreated, the greater the risk for future complications which can include chronic pain, headaches, nerve entrapment and early onset of arthritis.  Chiropractors are well versed in the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of whiplash injuries.

 

Neck Pain Treatment in Bellevue - Chiropractic and Active Release

If you’re interested in learning about how Chiropractic and Active Release Technique can help your neck pain, please consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Keith McGahey.  His Chiropractic clinic, Eastside Chiropractic Group, is located in Bellevue, WA near Overlake Hospital.  Open Saturdays, same day appointments are available and consultations are ALWAYS FREE!  Call (425) 455-2711.