Neck Pain Treatment in Walnut Creek, California
When Turning Your Head, Working, Driving or Sleeping Starts to Hurt
You turn your head while backing out of a parking space and your neck doesn't want to cooperate.
After a long day at the computer, your neck and shoulders feel tight and uncomfortable.
You wake up and realize you can barely turn your head one direction.
Maybe the discomfort stays in your neck.
Or perhaps it travels toward your shoulder, shoulder blade, arm, or even into your hand.
Neck pain can affect surprisingly simple parts of everyday life: working, driving, exercising, sleeping, reading, using your phone, traveling, or simply finding a comfortable position.
At Stojanovich Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. evaluates neck pain to determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
Because “my neck hurts” tells us where you're feeling something.
It doesn't necessarily tell us why.
What Can Cause Neck Pain?
Neck pain has many possible causes.
Sometimes the explanation seems obvious.
You slept awkwardly.
You spent the weekend lifting or working around the house.
You increased your workouts.
You've been sitting at your computer for hours.
Or your neck started hurting after an injury or auto accident.
Other times there isn't one obvious event.
Neck discomfort can involve joints, muscles, discs, nerves, surrounding soft tissues, or other structures.
Age-related changes, previous injuries, repetitive activities, sustained positions, and individual health factors may also be relevant.
The first step is understanding the pattern of your symptoms rather than assuming every painful neck needs the same treatment.
What Does Neck Pain Feel Like?
Neck problems don't feel the same for everyone.
You may experience:
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A dull or persistent ache
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Sharp pain with certain movements
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Neck stiffness
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Muscle tightness
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Difficulty comfortably turning your head
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Pain around the base of the skull
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Discomfort extending toward a shoulder or shoulder blade
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Headaches occurring along with neck discomfort
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Pain traveling into an arm
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Tingling or numbness
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Weakness in some cases
The location and type of symptoms can provide important clues about what may be involved.
Why Does My Neck Hurt When I Turn My Head?
Pain or stiffness when rotating your head is a common reason people seek chiropractic evaluation.
You may first notice it while driving, looking over your shoulder, exercising, or simply turning during a conversation.
Restricted or painful movement can occur for different reasons, including musculoskeletal irritation involving the joints, muscles, or surrounding tissues.
An examination can help determine what movements are limited, what reproduces your symptoms, and whether there are other findings that deserve attention.
Neck Pain From Computer Work and Screen Time
If your neck feels uncomfortable after hours at a computer, you're certainly not imagining the pattern.
Long periods in one position, limited movement throughout the day, workstation setup, repetitive tasks, muscle fatigue, stress, and individual musculoskeletal factors may all play a role.
Looking down at a phone isn't inherently dangerous.
And you don't need to hold one supposedly “perfect posture” from morning until night.
For many people, movement variety and changing positions throughout the day are more realistic than trying to sit perfectly still with “ideal posture.”
If screen time repeatedly coincides with neck discomfort, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can evaluate what's happening rather than simply telling you to “sit up straight.”
Neck Pain and Headaches
Sometimes neck pain and headaches show up together.
Certain headache patterns can be associated with structures in the cervical spine. These are often referred to as cervicogenic headaches.
Someone may notice discomfort beginning around the neck or base of the skull and extending toward another part of the head.
But headaches have many possible causes, and not every headache comes from the neck.
If headaches are part of your symptoms, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. considers the headache pattern along with your neck examination and determines whether chiropractic care appears appropriate or additional medical evaluation is needed.
Neck Pain That Travels Into the Shoulder or Arm
Neck pain accompanied by symptoms extending into a shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers deserves closer attention.
When a cervical nerve root is irritated or compressed, symptoms may sometimes include:
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Radiating arm pain
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Tingling
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Pins and needles
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Numbness
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Burning sensations
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Changes in sensation
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Weakness
This is sometimes referred to as cervical radiculopathy, depending on the clinical findings.
But arm symptoms don't automatically mean you have a pinched nerve in your neck.
Shoulder problems, peripheral nerve problems, and other conditions can create similar symptoms.
The pattern needs to be evaluated rather than assumed.
Can a Herniated Disc Cause Neck Pain?
Yes. A cervical herniated disc is one possible cause of neck and nerve-related symptoms.
Depending on its location and whether a nearby nerve root is affected, a cervical disc problem may contribute to neck pain or symptoms extending into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
But seeing a bulging or herniated disc on an MRI doesn't automatically prove that it is causing your symptoms.
Disc changes can sometimes appear on imaging in people without pain.
That's why imaging findings need to be considered alongside your symptoms and examination.
Neck Pain After a Car Accident or Whiplash
Neck pain is common after auto accidents.
During a collision, rapid movement of the head and neck can affect muscles, joints, ligaments, and other structures.
Some people notice symptoms immediately.
Others become more aware of stiffness or discomfort later.
If your neck pain began after a car accident, tell Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. how the accident occurred, when symptoms began, whether they've changed, and whether you're experiencing headaches, dizziness, arm symptoms, numbness, tingling, weakness, or other concerns.
Depending on the circumstances, additional medical evaluation or diagnostic imaging may be appropriate.
What Happens During a Neck Pain Chiropractic Evaluation?
Your evaluation starts with a conversation.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. may ask:
When did the neck pain begin?
Was there an injury?
Where exactly do you feel it?
Which movements make it worse?
Can you comfortably turn your head in both directions?
Does the pain travel toward your shoulder or arm?
Do you experience tingling or numbness?
Have you noticed weakness?
Do you have headaches?
Does computer work or driving affect your symptoms?
Have you previously had neck injuries?
Have you had X-rays, MRI, or other imaging?
Your examination may include assessment of cervical movement, musculoskeletal function, strength, sensation, reflexes, and other neurological findings when appropriate.
The goal is to understand what's happening before deciding what type of care makes sense.
Do I Need an X-Ray or MRI for Neck Pain?
Not every patient with neck pain needs imaging.
Whether X-rays, MRI, or another diagnostic study is appropriate depends on factors such as your symptoms, history, injury or trauma, neurological findings, severity, progression, age, and other clinical considerations.
If Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. believes imaging is indicated, he can discuss the appropriate next step or refer you for diagnostic imaging when necessary.
If you've already had imaging related to your neck, bring the available reports and images with you.
Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for many musculoskeletal neck complaints.
But there isn't one neck adjustment that's appropriate for every person.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. considers your symptoms, examination findings, health history, previous injuries, neurological findings, and individual tolerance when determining whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate and which techniques may be considered.
For some patients, care may involve chiropractic adjustments or other manual approaches.
For others, the treatment strategy may be different.
And when chiropractic care isn't appropriate, recognizing that is part of responsible evaluation.
More Than an Adjustment: Supportive Therapies for Neck Pain
Depending on your condition and examination findings, supportive therapies may sometimes be incorporated into an individualized treatment plan.
Stojanovich Chiropractic offers therapeutic modalities including:
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Therapeutic ultrasound
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Cold laser therapy
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Red light therapy
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Intersegmental traction
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Mechanical traction
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Other appropriate supportive therapies
Not every patient needs every therapy.
And you shouldn't have to decide before your appointment whether you need an adjustment, traction, laser, or something else.
That's part of what the evaluation is for.
Can Mechanical Traction Be Used for Neck Pain?
Mechanical traction may be considered for certain cervical spine conditions, depending on the patient's symptoms and examination findings.
It isn't automatically appropriate simply because someone's neck hurts.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. considers the condition being addressed, neurological findings, health history, previous injuries, and other clinical factors before determining whether traction may be appropriate.
What Can I Do About Neck Pain at My Desk?
If computer work consistently aggravates your neck, small changes may sometimes make the workday more comfortable.
Depending on your setup, that might include:
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Adjusting screen placement
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Bringing frequently used devices into a more comfortable position
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Using an external monitor or keyboard when helpful
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Changing positions periodically
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Taking opportunities to move throughout the day
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Avoiding staying in one position for unnecessarily long periods
The goal isn't perfect posture.
It's creating an environment that allows more comfortable movement and position changes throughout your day.
When Neck Pain Needs Prompt Medical Attention
Certain neck symptoms require prompt or emergency medical evaluation.
Seek appropriate medical attention for symptoms such as:
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Severe neck pain following significant trauma
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Severe or rapidly progressing weakness
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New difficulty walking or coordinating movement
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Significant new numbness or neurological changes
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Loss of bladder or bowel control associated with neurological symptoms
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Fever with significant neck stiffness or severe illness
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Sudden severe headache with neurological symptoms
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New difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing
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Other sudden, severe, unusual, or rapidly worsening symptoms
These symptoms shouldn't be assumed to be a routine muscle strain, posture problem, or “pinched nerve.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Pain
Why Does My Neck Hurt When I Turn My Head?
Pain with rotation can involve muscles, joints, surrounding tissues, or other cervical structures. An examination can help determine what may be contributing.
Why Does My Neck Hurt After Working at a Computer?
Prolonged positions, limited movement, workstation setup, muscle fatigue, and individual musculoskeletal factors may contribute to neck discomfort during desk work.
Is Looking Down at My Phone Damaging My Neck?
Looking down isn't inherently harmful. Problems may be more likely when certain positions are prolonged or repetitive and symptoms develop. Movement variety and individual factors matter.
Can Neck Pain Cause Headaches?
Certain headache patterns can be associated with structures in the cervical spine. However, headaches have many possible causes and shouldn't automatically be attributed to the neck.
Can Neck Problems Cause Shoulder Pain?
Yes. Some cervical conditions can produce pain around the shoulder or shoulder blade. Shoulder problems themselves can also cause pain in the same region.
Why Is My Neck Pain Going Down My Arm?
Symptoms extending from the neck into an arm may sometimes involve irritation or compression of a cervical nerve root. Other conditions can produce similar symptoms, so evaluation is important.
Can a Pinched Nerve in My Neck Cause Tingling in My Hand?
Yes. Depending on which nerve structures are involved, a cervical nerve problem may contribute to tingling, numbness, pain, or weakness extending into the arm or hand.
Can a Herniated Disc Cause Neck and Arm Pain?
Yes. A cervical disc herniation may affect a nearby nerve root and contribute to neck and arm symptoms, but imaging findings need to be correlated with symptoms and examination.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Neck Pain?
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for many musculoskeletal causes of neck pain. Evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic treatment is suitable for the individual condition.
Do I Need an X-Ray for Neck Pain?
Not automatically. Imaging decisions depend on your symptoms, health history, injury history, neurological findings, examination, and other clinical factors.
Can Chiropractic Help Neck Pain After a Car Accident?
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for certain musculoskeletal injuries after an auto accident. The first step is evaluating the injury and determining whether imaging, referral, chiropractic care, or another approach is appropriate.
When Should I Worry About Neck Pain?
Neck pain following significant trauma, progressive weakness, major neurological changes, difficulty walking, severe illness, or other sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms requires prompt medical evaluation.
Looking for Neck Pain Treatment in Walnut Creek, California?
If neck pain is making it harder to turn your head, work comfortably, drive, exercise, sleep, or enjoy your normal activities, start by finding out what's contributing to it.
You don't need to diagnose yourself as having “tech neck,” a pinched nerve, a herniated disc, or a posture problem before making an appointment.
With more than 27 years in practice, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. provides individualized chiropractic and musculoskeletal care for patients in Walnut Creek and surrounding Contra Costa County and East Bay communities.
Contact Stojanovich Chiropractic to schedule a neck pain evaluation and determine the appropriate next step for your care.
