Neck pain can be acute or chronic. Acute neck pain typically follows trauma such as a car accident, sports injury, or fall, while chronic pain persists beyond three months and generally takes longer to resolve. An estimated 20 to 70% of U.S. adults will experience some form of neck pain, with women about 1.5 times more likely to be affected, and up to 30% of cases become long-term, chronic problems if the root cause is not addressed.

Yes. If neck pain is present, a chiropractic evaluation is highly recommended to determine the root cause of the pain. Rather than temporarily relieving symptoms, a chiropractic doctor identifies and corrects the underlying cause for long-term neck pain relief.

The most effective time to see a chiropractic doctor for neck pain is as early as possible. By the time neck pain is noticeable, the underlying problem has usually already existed for some time, so early evaluation helps prevent it from becoming chronic.

The six most common causes of neck pain are postural distortions such as anterior head carriage or tech neck, spinal subluxations, degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis), spinal disc displacement such as a herniated or bulging disc, spinal stenosis, and soft tissue inflammation such as whiplash.

Postural distortions, commonly called tech neck, are caused by looking down at phones or computers for long periods. The neck supports the full weight of the head, which averages about 12 pounds, and every inch the head moves forward of the shoulders adds roughly 10 pounds of stress to the neck, meaning a 12-pound head held two inches forward can feel like 32 pounds of strain. The average person now looks down at a phone for nearly four hours a day, which contributes to forward head posture, rounded shoulders, reduced range of motion, and pain in the neck, shoulders, and jaw. Related postural issues include hypolordosis, a loss of the neck’s natural curve, and cervical scoliosis, an abnormal sideways curve in the neck.

A subluxation occurs when a bone or section of the spine shifts out of its normal position, creating nerve pressure and irritation that can cause neck pain. Treatment uses specific adjustments that remove pressure from the nerves and restore easier joint movement.

Degenerative joint disease, also called osteoarthritis or spondylosis, is a common condition in adults caused by progressive wear on the joints of the cervical spine. As a spinal disc degenerates, the bones in the neck begin rubbing together, causing inflammation, pain, and reduced range of motion. It is usually caused by trauma, such as a fall, car accident, or whiplash, or by repetitive stress from computer and phone use. A straightened cervical spine, sometimes called “military neck,” increases disc pressure and joint stress over time: the disc dehydrates and shrinks, the joint space narrows, bone rubs on bone, and bone spurs form that irritate nearby nerves. This narrowing usually develops over years or even decades and is often the long-term result of poor posture and a lack of motion.

Spinal disc displacement includes a protruded, bulging, herniated, or extruded disc in the neck. A protruded disc develops when cracks form in the disc’s outer layer due to injury or degeneration, weakening the annulus and causing displacement. A bulging disc occurs when displacement exceeds 25% of the disc’s circumference. A herniated disc occurs when that displacement begins to bulge into the space where the spinal cord and nerves are located. An extruded disc is a more severe form of herniation in which the outer fibers tear and the gel-like center leaks out. When neck pain travels down the arm with numbness and tingling, it is often cervical radiculopathy, and cervical disc displacements should be treated as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Full detail on disc-related pain is available on the herniated and bulging disc page.

Cervical spinal stenosis is a narrowing of an opening in the spine. Neural foraminal stenosis occurs when the opening between the vertebrae narrows. Lateral recess stenosis occurs when a nerve is compressed before it reaches that opening. Spinal canal stenosis occurs when the tunnel carrying the spinal cord narrows, compressing the cord and irritating nerves. Symptoms include inflammation, neck pain, reduced range of motion, and tingling or weakness in the hands, and common causes include disc displacement, degenerative joint disease, and bone spurs.

Soft tissue inflammation, including whiplash, results from spinal trauma in a car accident, fall, or sports injury. Whiplash occurs when a vehicle stops suddenly during impact and the neck moves sharply back and forth, damaging and inflaming the soft tissue of the neck. Soft tissue injuries need attention as quickly as possible, since it is common to see patients with neck pain years, even decades, after a car accident. Facet joint syndrome, another common source of neck pain, occurs when arthritic changes and inflammation in the facet joints break down cartilage and trigger nerve pain, often felt most intensely at night when muscles relax and the joints grind together; it is usually caused by trauma such as an auto accident, whiplash, sports injury, or fall.

Popping your own neck is not recommended. Excess force can damage the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck and create hypermobility, meaning the spine moves more than it should. A chiropractic doctor is trained to examine neck pain, determine its root cause, and find a solution that corrects it safely.

The most effective sleep position for neck pain keeps the spine in a neutral position. Sleeping on the back or side with adequate pillow support is recommended, while sleeping on the stomach is not recommended at all, especially with existing neck pain.

Treatment begins with a comprehensive consultation and exam, including full spine and motion X-rays, orthopedic and functional movement testing, motion and static palpation, and a Gonstead nervoscope reading that measures heat change along the spine to detect tissue inflammation and nerve interference. A cervical MRI without contrast may be recommended when disc displacement is suspected. Care may include Gonstead chiropractic adjustments, electric muscle stimulation, red light therapy, strengthening exercises, massage, and nutrition support such as vitamins, supplements, and anti-inflammatory IV therapy.

Non-surgical cervical spinal decompression with the DRX 9000 is specifically designed to treat cervical disc displacement, spinal disc degeneration, and posterior facet syndrome. It provides a gentle, sustained stretch on the neck that relieves pressure on the disc and nerves and creates negative pressure within the disc to help restore it toward its normal position. This FDA-cleared medical device is safe, has no side effects beyond mild soreness, and assists in reabsorbing and repositioning a displaced cervical disc. Introduced nearly 30 years ago, this technology has been used at this clinic for 20 years.