5 Things That Can Cause Chronic Neck Pain

When you have a nagging pain in your neck, you may put it down to old age or poor posture. But the issue could be more serious, and your chiropractor may be able to treat it. Here are some of the reasons you could have chronic neck pain.

1. Chronic health conditions

Chronic illnesses can cause a wide range of symptoms from pain and swelling to headaches, fatigue, and more. Some chronic conditions that can cause neck pain include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

2. Posture problems

One common posture problem that chiropractors may see is informally called tech neck because it may be associated with the use of electronic devices. Office workers who sit at a computer desk all day may have this problem because looking down at a screen while placing your hands on the keyboard makes it more difficult to maintain good posture.

Sitting hunched over to watch your phone screen or having poor posture while watching the TV can also add to this effect. Holding your head forward or down for long periods of time can place a lot of stress on your neck and this can cause pain. Your chiropractor may want to work with you to monitor or improve your posture in addition to treating your neck pain.

3. Recurring repetitive strain injuries

Repetitive motions can cause injuries related to nerve inflammation. Carpal tunnel, which occurs in the wrist, is a well-known example. But a similar repetitive strain injury, called neurological thoracic outlet syndrome, can also occur right by your collarbone at a spot called the thoracic outlet.

Neurological thoracic outlet syndrome can cause symptoms such as pain in the neck and shoulder area as well as tingling and weakness in that region as well as other parts of your arm and hand. You can have this syndrome treated, but with some people, it may recur.

4. Herniated discs

In some people, a disc problem may go untreated for a long time and cause chronic issues. You may first notice that you have back or neck pain that recurs, and it could get worse over time. For the best chances of resolving the problem rather than having a chronic issue, be sure you get chiropractic treatment and any other medical treatment your chiropractor recommends as soon as you notice pain in your neck or back.

5. Past injuries

In some cases, an injury such as whiplash could cause chronic neck pain. If you end up with this complication from whiplash, make sure you talk to your doctor about whether you need any other medical treatments (such as surgeries). Chiropractic care may be able to help you manage any chronic or recurring pain.

These are some of the conditions and situations that could cause chronic neck pain. Some of them can be treatable and could even resolve completely or stay well-controlled if you follow your chiropractor's treatment recommendations.


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