Crick in the Neck? How To Relieve It

Have you been suffering from a persistent crick in your neck? If so, you’re not alone—it’s one of the most common complaints chiropractors receive from new patients. Read on to learn more about what could be causing the discomfort, how to get immediate relief, and how Team Chiro can help prevent the pain from coming back in the long term.

What Causes the Crick in Your Neck?

While a “crick in your neck” isn’t exactly a medical diagnosis, it could very well be a symptom of a larger problem with your bones, muscles, or joints—especially if the problem persists.

If you feel intense tightness in the muscles surrounding your neck and shoulders, or if it seems as if something feels “stuck” in your neck, you have what many people refer to as a crick in the neck. Inflexibility, stiffness, and rigidity are all commonly associated symptoms that can really interfere with your mobility, comfort, and even the quality of your sleep.

The root cause of the crick in your neck could stem from several different places. An experienced chiropractor can help you determine where the issue is originating, and ultimately, exactly how to start to put the problem to rest. Some common underlying causes of cricks in the neck include:

• Muscle spasms
• A herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis

At-Home Remedies to Relieve the Crick in Your Neck

While seeing an experienced chiropractor is the best option for treating the underlying cause of your neck pain, there are pain-management techniques you can try at home until you can get to your appointment. Consider the following:

• Massaging the area that feels stiff or uncomfortable (gently and with your hands)
• Carefully stretch the muscles that feel sore and stiff. While sitting or standing, tilt your head away from the stiff spots gently, holding for just a few seconds until you feel a stretch. If stretching becomes painful, stop immediately.
• Apply a hot compress to the stiff area, like a heating pad or a warm cloth. Heat will help to loosen soft tissues and relax muscle spasms. Use heat sparingly as it may increase the inflammatory response.
• Ice the area needing relief to decrease inflammation. 
• Make conscious efforts to correct your posture, especially when sitting at your desk or driving.

How Does a Chiropractor Treat Neck Pain?

There are a wide range of methods for the treatment of neck pain, and the treatments that are best for you should be determined with the help of an experienced chiropractor. It’s important to take an X-ray of the area before diagnosing underlying issues. Some of the most common treatments for neck pain include:

• Acupuncture, which stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals that decrease the feeling of pain in the brain;
• Spinal reengineering, a system that helps restore joint function and mobility;
• Spinal decompression therapy, a nonsurgical solution that helps relieve the pain in the back and neck by gently stretching the spine;
• and Soft tissue release, a form of therapy that decreases inflammation and resolves chronic conditions due to tight muscles, including those surrounding the neck and shoulders.

Don’t Worry: Your Local Chiropractic Experts Can Restore Your Comfort.

Do you have a crick in the neck that won’t seem to go away? Team Chiropractic & Sports Medicine, P.A. has got you covered throughout the Triangle. We’re the home of evidence-based spinal reengineering and chiropractic sports medicine. We also serve Chapel Hill, Research Triangle Park, Durham, Raleigh, Clayton, and surrounding areas in North Carolina. If you’re looking for acupuncture treatment in the greater Triangle area, we are here to help! Contact us online today or give us a call at 919-788-8881 to schedule your initial appointment and x-ray at either of our Triangle locations. We look forward to helping restore your health!

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