How Massage and Chiropractic Adjustments Help Neck Pain

Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out chiropractic and massage. Tension in the neck can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, sinus issues, and sleep disorders to name a few. This tension can build up several different ways.  Positional based trauma and repetitive motion is the most common cause. Spending long hours at the desk makes our head project or lean forward.

This forward posture creates extra pressure on the neck joints. This extra pressure makes the muscles very tired. When the muscles fatigue, they lose the ability to maintain correct posture. As posture declines, our muscles will compensate by overworking and becoming hypertonic. This added tension reduces the space for joints to move comfortably, making our muscles adhere together and compressing blood flow. These negative effects all cause pain.

How do massage and chiropractic relieve neck pain?

Massage and bodywork treat the muscle tension directly, with a hands-on approach. Applying varying amounts of pressure to the trigger points and the surrounding areas decrease the tension and promote relaxation. Massaging the muscles in the shoulder and upper back also relieves the tension that can build up in the neck.

As we already mentioned, forward head posture creates additional pressure on your cervical vertebrae. This extra pressure causes neck pain, by compressing the disk space between the joints in the neck. This reduced space can cause a restricted range of motion of the muscles and joints in the neck. Compromised movement causes irritation to the disk and nerves. Continued stress on these tissues causes inflammation and pain.

Chiropractic care relieves the pressure an promotes healthy joint movement of the neck and surrounding tissues. The more comfortable the neck can move the less pain it will have. Ensuring and maintaining the proper neck movement will improve forward head posture, alleviating the tension in the muscles. The combination of massage and chiropractic works together to keep both the muscles and joints moving together. Decreased tension and improved movement is the root to keeping neck pain at bay.

How to keep the neck loose and moving

• Stay hydrated. Hydration keeps the disk lubricated in the neck, maintaining the disk cushioning ability. Dehydration also makes the muscles brittle and reduces their flexibility.
• Take breaks. We recommend getting up at least once an hour and move around. Long periods of time spent in front of the screen adds to poor posture. Getting up and moving even just for a few minutes take a big load of pressure off the neck.
• Don’t forget to stretch. Doing some light stretching in the morning and before bed helps open u the joints and keeps proper circulation moving. Healthy circulation promotes healthy muscle tissue, promoting healthy joints.