A stiff neck occurs when muscles and ligaments supporting the site of a Vertebral Structural Shift change their normal shape and tonicity to stabilize the weakness of your structure(s) caused by the misaligned vertebrae. With this symptom of Structural Shift, moving your head is no longer as effortless as it was because the normal biomechanics of the neck joints are dysfunctioning. The Structural Shift complex will also irritate the nerves in the area as well as cause inflammation and edema in the joint. All of these negative responses to the Structural Shifting of your neck will contribute to the symptoms of neck stiffness and pain.

Neck Pain

The neck, or cervical spine, consists of seven tiny vertebrae that begin at the bottom of your skull. The seven vertebrae are separated by vertebral discs with the exception of the top two vertebrae. These top two vertebrae support your head, and the lack of discs in between your skull and two vertebrae allows a greater range of motion when moving your head. However, what we gain in mobility, we then lose stability because the discs act as shock absorbers to outside forces acting on our bodies. The flexibility of the upper cervical spine makes it susceptible to injury and Structural Shift causing stiffness and pain due.

Causes of Neck Stiffness and Pain

The most common causes of neck pain include:

 

• Structural Shift
   

• Anterior Head Syndrome (Text Neck)
   

• Poor posture
   

• Spinal stenosis
   

• Osteoarthritis
   

• Degenerative Disc Disease
   

• Trauma
   

• Daily occurrences and habits
   

• Placing your neck in a weird position when sleeping
   

• Tension in the neck due to excessive anxiety or stress

Diagnosing Neck Pain and Stiffness

When you visit your Doctor of Chiropractic at Premier Chiropractic of Tyler with these issues, they will start by performing a complete history and comprehensive examination. This helps the doctor determine the ideal approach of care to correct the cause of the stiffness and pain. During the consultation, be honest with the chiropractor about your physical lifestyle and medical history. The information helps the doctor accurately identify the root cause of your condition.

The chiropractor may require additional imaging to evaluate your condition. These can include MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, or others that may provide further insight into the extent of your condition.

Structural Corrective Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain and Stiffness

Structural Corrective Chiropractic care does not involve surgery or administering pain medication. Structural Chiropractors seek to correct the root cause of the problem areas in your body using specific techniques to relieve neck pain and stiffness. The primary technique used to correct Structural Shift is Specific Corrective Spinal Adjustments.

Specific Corrective Spinal Adjustments

Structural Correction Chiropractic focuses on normalizing your spine by correcting any Structural Shifting of the spine. The aim of Corrective Adjustments is to restore the proper function to resolve the secondary conditions associated with the dysfunction caused by Structural Shift. Proper function of the joint includes correct biomechanics, range of motion, and nerve conduction. Depending on the severity of your condition, the adjustment may bring immediate relief, enabling you to turn your head without feeling stiff or painful. If correction requires additional treatment, our doctor will take the time to review the course of care to make you well again.

For more about the best solution for neck pain and stiffness, call Premier Chiropractic of Tyler in Tyler, Texas, at (903) 602-1600 to book an appointment today.