Neck pain begins with stiffness and tenderness.

Tenderness and stiffness in the neck are usually caused by poor posture, muscle tightness and stress. These common stiff and achy necks usually develop over time with hours of poor posture during reading, computer time and even watching television. If these symptoms are left untreated they can develop into degeneration, bone spurs, arthritis and tension headaches.

Neck pain can also be attributed to car accidents. In car accidents, the ligaments that hold your head up can often be stretched or torn causing your head to make crackling or crunching noises and generate pain. If not treated quickly, instability or hyper mobility or even scar tissue can form which can lead to chronic neck pain for the duration of one's life.

Long term joint dysfunction and scar tissue can lead to degenerative joint disease or arthritis. In many cases the arthritis or bone spur can develop and lead to irritation to the sensitive nerves in the neck creating pain down the arms and into the hands. If this condition is left untreated it can become so severe that it can limit joint function and in some cases cause irreversible nerve damage.

The chiropractic approach is to first restore proper function to the joint and second address any scar tissue. Lastly it is important to strengthen the area that was injured to prevent reoccurring injury.