Effective Neck Strain Treatment with Chiropractic Care

In this guide, you’ll discover how neck strain treatment chiropractic care
and physiotherapy provides targeted, non-invasive relief.

If you’ve ever woken up with a stiff neck, struggled to check your blind spot while driving, or felt that nagging ache after hunching over your computer, you’re not alone.

Neck strain is quite common, affecting nearly a third of adults every year. It can make even simple tasks like turning your head or looking down at your phone a real pain!

But here’s some good news, chiropractic care and physiotherapy, offers a gentle hands-on way to relieve neck strain and get you moving comfortably again.

Let’s walk through what causes neck pain, how our professionals at Core Wellness Centre find the root of the problem, what to expect from neck strain treatment, and how you can keep your neck healthy for the long haul.

Neck strain usually happens when the muscles or ligaments in your neck are stretched or injured. Maybe you slept in a weird position, spent hours hunched over a screen, or had a fender bender that jerked your head back and forth.

Even stress can leave your neck muscles tight and sore. 

Some Common Neck Strain Triggers Include:

• Poor posture: Think slouching at your desk or looking down at your phone for long stretches (“text neck” is real). Monitors that are too high or low, or chairs without proper support, can put extra strain on your neck.
• Sudden injuries: Whiplash from a car accident or sports injury. High-impact sports, weightlifting with improper form, or sudden increased activity can sometimes trigger neck strain.
• Repetitive movements: Constantly looking down, carrying heavy bags, or repetitive work tasks
• Stress: When life gets overwhelming, your shoulders and neck may tense up without you even noticing
• Normal aging: Over time, the discs and joints in your neck can wear down, making strains more likely
• Sleeping in an awkward position: Using too many (or too few) pillows, or falling asleep in a chair can leave your neck unsupported.
• Carrying heavy backpacks or purses on one shoulder: This uneven load can strain neck and shoulder muscles over time.
• Jaw clenching or teeth grinding (bruxism): Tension in the jaw, jaw pain often radiates up to the neck, especially during sleep or stress.
• Talking on the phone with your neck bent: Cradling a phone between your ear and shoulder, especially for long calls, can quickly lead to discomfort.
• Underlying medical conditions: Conditions like arthritis or spinal stenosis can make the neck more vulnerable to everyday stresses.

Everyone’s experience is a little different, but you might notice:

• Aching or sharp pain, especially when you try to move your head
• Stiffness and trouble turning your neck
• Headaches that start at the base of your skull
• Tingling or numbness in your shoulders or arms
• Muscle spasms or knots

If you’re dealing with these symptoms, neck strain treatment chiropractic care and physiotherapy at Core Wellness Centre offers multi-discipline solutions.

If you’re experiencing neck pain, especially after an accident or injury, seeing a chiropractor could be a beneficial first step. Statistics show that over 40% of people with neck pain turn to chiropractic care, as well as experiencing less imaging (CT, MRI) and surgery.

Chiropractors specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of neck and back pain and strain, particularly those around the spine.

At Core Wellness Centre in Toronto, neck strain treatment chiropractor Dr. Kris, can assess the root cause of your neck pain, whether it’s due to muscle strain, whiplash, poor posture, or other underlying issues. 

Chiropractic care for neck pain goes beyond simply addressing the symptoms. It focuses on restoring proper spinal alignment and function, which can alleviate pain, reduce muscle tension, and improve range of motion.

Chiropractors utilize a variety of techniques for neck strain treatment to achieve these goals, including:

• Spinal Manipulation: This involves applying controlled force to specific joints in the spine to restore proper movement and reduce nerve irritation.
• Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques like massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release can help to relax tight muscles, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow to the affected area.
• Therapeutic Exercises: exercises to strengthen neck muscles, improve posture, and increase range of motion.
• Patient Education: Providing patients with information on proper posture, ergonomics, and self-care strategies is crucial for long-term pain management and prevention.

The effectiveness of chiropractic care for neck pain is supported by numerous studies and clinical guidelines.

When you visit a neck strain treatment chiropractor, they will conduct a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause of your pain. This typically involves:

• Medical History Review: Discussing your past health conditions, injuries, and current symptoms.
• Physical Examination: Assessing your posture, range of motion, muscle strength, and neurological function on digital posture analysis.
• Diagnostic Imaging (if necessary): X-rays or other imaging studies may be ordered to rule out more serious conditions.
• Report of findings

Based on the examination findings, our neck strain treatment chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

This plan may include:

• Spinal Adjustments: Gentle, manual controlled movements to restore proper alignment to the cervical spine.
• Muscle Release Techniques: Addressing muscle spasms and tension in the neck and surrounding areas.
• Y Strap Adjustments or Spinal Decompression Therapy
• Postural Correction: Guidance on maintaining proper posture to prevent future strain.
• Home Exercise Program: Stretches and strengthening exercises to improve neck stability and flexibility.

The goal of chiropractic treatment is to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent recurrence of neck strain.

While chiropractic care often includes elements of physiotherapy, it’s important to understand the distinct roles of each profession.

Core Wellness Centre is a multi-discipline clinic offering Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and RMT Massage, focuses on restoring movement and function through exercise, manual therapy, and therapeutic massage.

Physiotherapy for neck strain can involve:

• Manual Therapy: Techniques like massage, joint mobilization, and stretching to improve range of motion and reduce pain.
• Therapeutic Exercises: Strengthening and stretching exercises to improve neck stability and flexibility.
• Modalities: The use of cold laser therapy, shockwave therapy, ultrasound to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Education: Guidance on proper posture, ergonomics and self-care strategies.

Here are some actionable insights and practical tips for neck strain treatment at home to help you manage neck strain and prevent future episodes:

• Keep screens at eye level to avoid hunching over
• Be mindful of your posture throughout the day, especially when sitting at a desk or using electronic devices.
• Take regular stretch breaks, get up and move around every 20-30 minutes to prevent stiffness and muscle fatigue.
• Use a supportive pillow and avoid sleeping on your stomach
• Practice gentle neck and upper back exercises
• Practice stress-reducing techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
• Stay active, regular exercise can help to strengthen neck muscles and improve overall health

References:

https://thekac.org/2023/10/13/study-also-shows-plurality-of-patients-with-new-onset-neck-pain-first-visited-a-chiropractor/

https://vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/2024/12/12/1850-the-post-spinal-surgery-patient-resolution-of-neck-pain-headaches-following-upper-cervical-chiropractic-care-a-case-study/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11476883/