Dedicated Neck Pain Doctor in Annapolis, MD
Many individuals suffer from neck pain that is affecting their ability to do work or take part in everyday activities, as our experienced Annapolis, Maryland neck pain doctor knows very well. It is one of the most common problems that people experience, and it results in many issues such as loss of sleep and increased difficulty with daily activities. If it’s not treated effectively, it can become worse later on and may become more difficult to treat. With the right chiropractic care however, significant neck pain relief is possible. You may be able to engage in more activities and boost your quality of life. To see what chiropractic treatment can do for you, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor such as one from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic.
Neck pain can be caused by a number of things. Contributing factors include poor posture or a lack of proper neck support. Pinched or compressed nerves in the neck are also common. Lifestyle choices like sports and other strenuous physical activities can increase your chances of sustaining a neck injury. Car or workplace accidents frequently result in serious neck pain and spinal issues. Depending on your condition, neck pain can come in different forms such as muscle stiffness, aches, and throbbing sensations.
Common Treatments for Neck Pain
Chiropractors employ a variety of treatments for clients with neck pain. To treat pain, chiropractors provide services such as physical therapy, spinal adjustments, and other up-to-date chiropractic techniques. It’s important to explain your symptoms in detail during your consultation so they can suggest appropriate treatment options.
Tips for Preventing Neck Pain
Follow these tips to alleviate your neck pain:
- Practice good posture. It may be difficult at first, but consciously implementing habits to improve your posture is important for neck pain relief.
- Stretching. Do neck and spinal stretches frequently to release tension and relieve muscle aches and spasms.
- Improve your neck support. If your neck pain is affecting your quality of sleep for example, make sure your pillows provide adequate support.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
There are several benefits that chiropractic care offers. Going to a chiropractic can be a good alternative for you if you are looking to treat your health condition that doesn’t involve medication or risky and/or invasive surgery. Some traditional treatment options may be more expensive than chiropractic care as well. Chiropractic clinics such as Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic value their patients’ health and take the time to develop effective treatment plans that address the root causes of neck pain.
What Determines How Many Adjustments a Patient Will Need?
People often schedule consultations with our experienced Annapolis, MD neck pain doctor at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic when they are experiencing pain that prevents them from performing daily tasks. After an initial visit, your chiropractor may recommend that you return for additional adjustments, which could prove necessary to your care plan, even if you start to feel better before all of your adjustment appointments have concluded. A multi-phase approach may be necessary to address the underlying cause of your current discomfort and prevent it from returning.
Immediate Relief
Your chiropractor will use your first visit to determine where your neck and/or spine is misaligned. Subluxations are the most likely causes of your back, neck, shoulder, hip, or knee pain and other symptoms, including:
- Headaches
- Numbness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Misalignments take years to develop, and they often require multiple adjustments over many weeks to correct. During this time, your muscles, ligaments, and joints will receive constant reminders to ensure that they retain their optimum position to alleviate stress on your spine.
Correction
After your chiropractor performs a series of frequently spaced adjustments early in your treatment, you can expect significant symptom relief. At this point, you should continue to receive adjustments, though you may be able to reduce their frequency.
Your chiropractor will address the root cause of your symptoms once you begin to experience relief. Although you may feel better, your muscles, ligaments, and joints may require additional healing. Adjustments during this stage of treatment may involve addressing neck and/or spinal subluxations that reduce your range of motion or lead to soft tissue atrophy or overuse. During this stage, your chiropractor will also show you the most appropriate ways to move your body to prevent misuse of muscles and avoid pulling your vertebrate out of alignment.
Prevention
Various activities of daily living can cause your neck and/or spine to misalign gradually. You may not realize that the way you sit, sleep, bend, or lift, is causing cumulative damage until you experience acute pain. Although you may not see changes in your neck and/or spine, a chiropractor can examine you to determine when a potential problem is developing.
Scheduling routine checkups with a chiropractor when you are not experiencing symptoms can prevent them from occurring. Chiropractors can detect subtle changes to your alignment and perform minor adjustments that correct them soon after they develop. Subluxations in their earliest stages require few adjustments to correct compared with ones that progress to cause discomfort and pain.
Chiropractic Care Is Available
Many clients who obtain frequent care from chiropractors have experienced many positive results. Patients often notice a substantial improvement after they receive treatment from a chiropractor. Outcomes are different for everyone when it comes to solutions that address health issues, so for more specific information, talk to a chiropractor about your condition. It’s never too late to get the relief you need for your neck pain. Learn more about what our neck pain doctor trusted by Annapolis, MD residents can do for you by calling our office today.
If you’ve ever had neck pain you know that seeing our neck pain doctor in Annapolis, MD can save you time and money in trying to sort out your pain. No one should have to go through the pain on a daily basis and that is why we here at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic have a skilled team to help you get the relief you deserve. Neck pain is one of the most common problems that people can experience and as a result, it can cause numerous issues.
Common Causes for Neck Pain
In reality, most neck pain only lasts between 2 to 6 weeks but those weeks don’t have to happen if you find a doctor soon enough. The longer you allow for neck pain to happen the more it can mess with your health as it can cause more issues if left untreated. However, what if the pain lasts longer than that? What are the causes of chronic neck pain? It is important to remember that the pain may not be isolated to just the neck either.
Muscle Strains
If you sit hunched over your computer or even just over your phone this can happen. It is simply overuse of the muscle. Even minor things you wouldn’t think of such as reading in bed or grinding your teeth can cause neck strain. Proper posture is key to avoiding neck pain in the first place.
Worn Joints
Sadly there isn’t much you can do about growing older, as when you get older the joints start to lose their cushioning. Working with our doctor is the only way to help monitor the pain and make things more comfortable.
Cervical Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis in the cervical spine can cause excessive friction in the neck’s joints leading to pain and stiffness. This can cause severe neck pain and make it to where moving your head at all can cause pain. Not only that but bone spurs can develop which can cause headaches at the base of the skull and nerve root pain in the shoulders, arms, and hands.
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
This is by far one of the most common reasons for chronic neck pain. It is the degeneration or just typical wear-and-tear on a cervical spinal disc. Typically this happens with normal aging and is hard to prevent but seeing a chiropractor has been shown to help ease the pain from this disease. The typical pain is a low-level chronic neck pain with intermittent episodes of more severe pain.
Cervical Herniated Disc
This is when a disc from the cervical spine bulges or leaks from the disc space. It can cause inflammation and irritation to the surrounding joints, muscles, or even nerve roots. When this happens there is often neurological pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as moderate pain and stiffness in the neck.
When it comes to neck pain there are a variety of reasons as to why it can happen. Everything from accidents to just growing old can cause it. That is why working with our neck pain doctor in Annapolis, Maryland is key to keeping your neck pain-free and helping you if you have pain at all.
Annapolis Neck Pain Infographic
Annapolis Neck Pain Statistics
Neck pain is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by various factors, including poor posture, injury, age-related changes, and stress. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), neck pain is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions, leading to significant discomfort and affecting individuals’ quality of life.
Key Statistics
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Prevalence: It is estimated that approximately 30% of adults will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain is a leading cause of disability, and it affects both men and women, though women are more likely to report chronic neck pain than men.
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Risk Factors: Several factors contribute to the development of neck pain, including poor posture, especially from prolonged use of electronic devices. Another significant risk factor is age, as the likelihood of developing neck pain increases with age due to degenerative changes in the cervical spine.
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Chronic Pain: Approximately 10-20% of individuals who experience neck pain will develop chronic neck pain, defined as pain that persists for more than three months. Chronic neck pain is often linked to reduced function and decreased quality of life, affecting daily activities and work productivity.
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Treatment: A wide variety of treatments are available for neck pain, ranging from physical therapy and chiropractic care to medications and, in some cases, surgery. Around 85% of individuals with neck pain experience improvement with conservative treatments such as physical therapy.
The following charts illustrate key trends:
Annapolis Neck Pain FAQs
Annapolis Neck Pain FAQsNeck pain is a common issue that many people experience at some point in their lives. It can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that limits daily activities. Seeing our doctor for neck pain can be essential when the pain becomes persistent, impacts quality of life, or raises concerns about underlying health issues. Seeking treatment from our experienced Annapolis, MD neck pain doctor can be an effective step toward relief. Listed below are some common questions people have about when to see our doctor for neck pain and what treatment options are available.
Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic has been assisting patients in the Annapolis area for over a decade and was built upon a foundation of achieving positive patient relationships and outcomes. By combining chiropractic spinal manipulation, exercise therapies, physical therapy modalities, and massage, we help our patients achieve comprehensive rehabilitation and freedom from pain.
What Can Our Doctor Do For Neck Pain?
Our neck pain doctor can evaluate and diagnose the cause of the discomfort. Treatment will often start with a physical examination and a review of symptoms. Imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs, may also be recommended if more information is needed. Based on the diagnosis, the doctor might suggest non-invasive treatments like physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, or targeted exercises to relieve tension. In some cases, medications or injections may be advised to help manage pain and inflammation. The goal is to develop a personalized treatment plan to reduce pain and improve mobility.
When Should I Go See Our Doctor For Neck Pain?
If neck pain lasts more than a few days or becomes intense, it’s wise to see our doctor. Other signals to seek medical help include pain that spreads to the shoulders or arms, weakness, or numbness. Additionally, if pain develops suddenly after an accident, a fall, or any physical trauma, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. Our Annapolis neck pain doctor can help assess the situation, determine the root cause, and start the right course of treatment to alleviate pain and prevent it from worsening. If you are experiencing neck pain, do not hesitate to seek an assessment and treatment.
What Are Red Flags For Neck Pain?
Certain symptoms can indicate a more serious underlying condition. Red flags to watch for include severe pain that does not improve, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, or difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels. Pain that’s accompanied by fever, chills, or unexplained weight loss might also be a sign of infection or another serious issue. When these symptoms are present, consulting with our dedicated neck pain doctor promptly is crucial, as timely intervention can make a significant difference in the outcome.
What Stretches Can Help With Neck Pain?
Gentle stretches can often help alleviate mild neck pain. One effective stretch is to slowly tilt the head from side to side, holding each position for about 15-30 seconds. Another option is to gently roll the shoulders backward and forward to release tension in the upper back and neck. Another technique used to relieve neck pain is the chin tuck, where you gently pull your chin down toward your chest, hold for a few seconds, and repeat several times. These exercises can help reduce stiffness and improve mobility, especially when combined with other treatments recommended by our Annapolis neck pain doctor.
What Treatment Is Best For A Pinched Nerve In The Neck?
A pinched nerve in the neck can cause radiating pain and discomfort. Treatment for this condition typically includes rest, physical therapy, and gentle exercises. Some people benefit from chiropractic adjustments or targeted stretches that relieve pressure on the nerve. In certain cases, medications or steroid injections may be used to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Our neck pain doctor will create a multifaceted treatment plan and tailor the approach to fit your specific symptoms and needs. By addressing both the immediate pain and the underlying cause, these treatments aim to promote long-term relief and healing.
Annapolis Neck Pain Doctor Glossary
As a law firm serving clients dealing with neck pain caused by injuries or accidents, we understand the importance of clearly defining the medical and chiropractic terms that intersect with legal claims. Below, we provide an in-depth glossary tailored for individuals seeking information on neck pain treatment options in Annapolis, MD, with the professional care provided by Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic.
Subluxation
A subluxation occurs when one or more vertebrae in the spine become misaligned, disrupting the nervous system and causing pain or discomfort. Chiropractors often address subluxations through manual adjustments, realigning the vertebrae to restore function and alleviate symptoms. For example, a car accident victim experiencing severe neck pain might have spinal subluxations that need treatment to regain mobility and reduce nerve compression.
In legal cases, documenting subluxations through X-rays and chiropractic evaluations can strengthen claims for medical expenses or rehabilitation needs, especially after traumatic events like workplace accidents or vehicle collisions.
Cervical Herniated Disc
A cervical herniated disc refers to the displacement or bulging of a spinal disc in the neck region. This condition may cause nerve root irritation, leading to pain that radiates to the shoulders, arms, or hands. Symptoms include stiffness, numbness, or tingling.
For example, an employee injured in a workplace accident might suffer from a herniated disc that limits their ability to perform tasks. Treatment often involves chiropractic care, physical therapy, or, in severe cases, surgery. Legal claims may seek to recover the costs of these treatments and lost wages.
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Cervical degenerative disc disease is the gradual deterioration of cervical spinal discs, often due to aging or repetitive strain. This condition can cause chronic neck pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, sometimes escalating to conditions like osteoarthritis. Patients with this condition might experience periods of low-level discomfort punctuated by acute flare-ups of intense pain.
When claiming compensation for injuries exacerbating pre-existing conditions like degenerative disc disease, detailed medical records and expert opinions can be crucial. Chiropractors at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic often play a role in managing such conditions by developing tailored care plans that improve quality of life.
Chiropractic Adjustment
A chiropractic adjustment is a manual or instrument-assisted technique used to realign misaligned vertebrae. This process can relieve pressure on the nervous system, reduce pain, and restore range of motion. Chiropractors employ adjustments to treat various conditions, including whiplash from car accidents or muscle stiffness due to poor posture.
From a legal perspective, chiropractic records documenting adjustments and their effectiveness are valuable for personal injury claims. For instance, a patient injured in a slip-and-fall accident might rely on these records to demonstrate the extent of their pain and the necessity of ongoing care.
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, or muscles, compress a nerve, causing pain, numbness, or tingling. In the cervical spine, this condition often results from herniated discs, subluxations, or traumatic injuries. Chiropractic care typically includes spinal adjustments and exercises designed to relieve pressure on the affected nerve.
Legal claims involving pinched nerves frequently arise in cases of workplace or vehicular injuries. Establishing the connection between the injury and resulting nerve compression requires thorough medical evaluations, imaging studies, and testimony from treating providers like chiropractors.
Contact Our Annapolis Neck Pain Doctor Today
Finding relief from neck pain starts with the right support. Our neck pain doctor can guide patients through the best options, from stretches and exercises to advanced treatments for conditions like pinched nerves. If you’re dealing with persistent neck pain, reach out to our team at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today to learn more about your options and get started on the path to recovery.