Neck pain is one of the most common reasons patients visit our Atlanta orthopedic doctors. There are a wide variety of reasons why patients suffer from chronic neck pain, and Orthopedic treatments range from simple lifestyle changes to ongoing therapy. Neck pain can do more than just present discomfort. It can lead to poor posture, migraines, and other issues. While it’s sometimes easy to identify the cause of neck pain—if you spend hours staring down at your phone, you probably know why you have a crick in your neck!—but there are some conditions that you may not realize can affect your neck.
While it’s easy to recognize neck pain, there are some other symptoms that can indicate something isn’t right. Often, these symptoms occur along with pain, but sometimes, you may feel pain at times and a tingling, numbness or dizziness at other times. These symptoms and any pain should be noted and reported when you visit us to help our experts better understand your overall condition.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
If you suffer from neck pain, call our office at (404) 855-2141 to schedule a free consultation or an immediate examination. In case you are not sure why your pain exists, consider the following information that highlights the most common causes of neck pain. You may be surprised at some of the things that can cause pain in your neck.
Whiplash Injury
Someone who has been in a car accident and walks away without any pain may assume they weren’t injured at all. However, those who suffer from a whiplash injury may not be aware that they were hurt for days or even weeks because this particular condition does not always lead to noticeable symptoms right away.
Whiplash occurs when the neck and head are forced in one direction and then quickly whipped in the opposite. This injury often happens in car accidents, but adrenaline, shock, and the nature of injuries caused by whiplash make it difficult to know if you’ve been injured until you’ve calmed down. When patients do realize their symptoms, most experience some or all of the following:
Orthopedic treatment for whiplash injuries varies based on the extent of each condition, although most people receive a combination of spinal adjustments and physical therapy. Taking over-the-counter pain medication can help reduce the pain from headaches, but that’s only temporary relief.
Tension Headaches
A tension headache not only creates significant pain, but it also causes your neck muscles to contract. This creates a tremendous amount of stress for the surrounding ligaments and tissue. Patients who suffer from tension headaches often experience dull to sharp pain in their head and neck, significant pressure throughout their head, and difficulty sleeping. In some cases, patients may also become sensitive to particular stimuli like light or noise. By visiting our Atlanta clinic, our team of experienced Orthopedic doctors can provide immediate pain relief through heat therapy, adjustments, and deep tissue massage.
Poor Posture
Many people deal with neck pain caused by poor posture, especially those who use computers, tablets, and other devices that require them to look down or up for long periods of time. This is why adjusting your desk so that your computer monitors and chair are aligned correctly is so important. Holding devices up instead of bending your neck down can also help alleviate pain. You may need several adjustments to help realign your neck and ease pain, but in this case, you’ll also need to develop better habits so the pain doesn’t return.
In some cases, your neck pain may come from poor posture while you sleep. Sleeping with your neck curved or at an odd angle can result in pain when you wake up. Often, this pain is temporary and won’t recur unless you sleep in an awkward position again. However, if you chronically have pain in your neck when you wake up, you may need to have some orthopedic adjustments made.
Medical Issues
There are some medical conditions that can also lead to neck pain. In these cases, you’ll need to have the condition treated before the neck pain can be dealt with. Some can be treated with antibiotics, such as infections in your throat or lymph nodes. These infections cause swelling that presses on the nerves in the neck. Other conditions, though, are more serious. Tuberculosis of the neck, an infection in the bones of the spine, and meningitis can all cause neck pain and much more.
Schedule A Free Consultation or Examination For Permanent Neck Pain Relief
If you suffer from neck pain and are unsure of the source, contact our Atlanta Orthopedic clinic to schedule a free consultation or examination to learn more about your condition. Our team of orthopedic doctors has helped thousands of patients throughout the greater Atlanta region and can develop a custom treatment solution that aligns with the unique characteristics of your condition. Just call us today at (404) 855-2141 or fill out our online submission form to have one of our staff members follow up with you.
