Neck pain and stiffness are two of the most common conditions that people suffer from silently.

The reason that the Minnesotan company “My Pillow” is a huge success, is that neck pain and discomfort often bother people at night and it is difficult to find a comfortable position. A good pillow can be helpful, but most of the time the problem is your neck.

A lot of people wake up with neck discomfort, go to work, spend the day with that discomfort, and then at night they try to get comfortable in front of the TV, this causes constant Irritation.

Sometimes the pain is more of a minor annoyance but can range to severe and debilitating. Headaches can be associated with the pain since all the nerves from your upper neck go up to your head. 

Those nerves are also connected to the mid and lower back and travel all the way to the fingertips, potentially causing pain or numbness from lower back and fingertips all the way up to the base of the neck.

The nerves can also tell your neck and shoulder muscles what to do, so if the nerves are irritated they will send messages to your neck and shoulder muscles and they will be tense and tight.

So why is his such a common problem?

Everyday stress on your neck, such as sitting at the computer or looking down at your phone can add up. Lifting, such as operating a machine or tool in your dominant hand, and performing one-sided activities like playing a one-sided sport like tennis, can cause the muscles to slowly pull your spine in one direction.

This can eventually create enough pull to cause slight misalignments of the spine that produce nerve impingement, which usually worsens with time. 

Accidents and injuries are also common reasons why the neck develops chronic discomfort and pain. Many people have had car accidents in the past and left the injuries to heal on their own without proper care. The long-term effect of untreated whiplash injuries according to research are:

• Chronic Neck Pain
• Headaches or Light-Headedness
• Loss of Range of Movement
• Degenerative Disc Disease 
• Spinal Arthritis
• Loss of Height
• Restless Sleep

If you, or anyone you know, have chronic neck pain, discomfort, or recently been involved in a car accident, it is wise to consult with a good chiropractor who specializes in these injuries.

We all want to live a pain-free, happy life, be able to partake in physical activities, and sleep well, so take care of your neck. It’s the only one you’ve got!

If you have neck pain, it’s time to visit Red Wing Chiropractor Clinic PA.Their knowledgeable team helps patients throughout their area achieve the relief they desperately need. Request an appointment online at www.redwingchiropractic.com, or call (651) 388-8294 for a free consultation with Dr. Jay Greenberg