Do you have neck pain?

The neck is more than one thing

The neck takes in joints, discs, muscles, and the way the head sits over the shoulders. Without a look at those parts, it is hard to say where the pain is coming from. This is a guide to the issues we see most often. A visit is how we tell which one is yours.

Desk posture and stiffness

Hours at a desk, a phone in the lap, and a head that sits forward of the shoulders are a common way neck pain starts. It can feel tight by the afternoon and still be there the next morning. The pain is real even when nobody can point to one injury. Care here looks at the structural pattern that keeps feeding it, not only the sore spot.

Whiplash

A sudden stop, often from a car accident, can strain the neck even when the car looks fine. Stiffness, headache, and trouble turning the head often show up later, not in the moment. These injuries tend to change how the neck lines up, and they are a reason people come in.

Pain into the shoulder

Neck pain often does not stay in the neck. People describe a pull into the shoulder, or an ache that makes reaching and sleeping harder. The first job is to see whether that pain is coming from the neck, the shoulder, or both, so care is aimed at the right place.

Headaches that travel with it

Tension at the base of the skull and headaches often show up with neck pain. They are not always the same problem. The exam is how we tell whether the headache is part of the neck pattern, and when it needs a different look.

When it is not only the neck

Some problems outside the spine can show up as neck pain, and some neck findings need a different doctor. Those need to be sorted out, not guessed at. The exam is how we tell whether chiropractic care is the right next step.

Measured, then tracked

A thorough exam lets us see what is going on. We take objective measures of structure and function, including on-site X-rays, and we use those measures to track progress. The exam covers a wide set of metrics, so plan 90 to 120 minutes for the initial visit.

Peter Lenhart, Director of Rehab, helps patients improve structure and function with specialized exercises and angular tractions. More on the approach is on the CBP page. Low back pain is covered on the back pain page.

I went to Dr. Eberle because I was experiencing intense neck and shoulder pain from sitting at a desk all day. He made me feel comfortable right away. First he took several X-rays of my spine to get a better understanding of my natural posture, and after several adjustments the pain was gone! I would definitely recommend Dr. Eberle. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and affordable!Megan

Questions about neck pain