Neck Pain Treatment in Santa Fe
Your neck supports an 11-pound weight all day, every day. The seven bones and 20 muscles of your neck must work together in perfect harmony to balance your head and allow pain-free movement. When this delicate system becomes disrupted through injury, poor posture, or arthritis, neck pain and stiffness can significantly impact your daily life. Integrative Chiropractic provides comprehensive neck pain treatment that addresses the root causes of your discomfort.
Common Causes of Neck Pain and Stiffness
Neck pain rarely occurs without reason. Sudden injuries, arthritis, and postural issues can all contribute to this type of discomfort, but understanding the specific mechanisms helps explain why your neck hurts and how to address it effectively.
Almost every bone in your neck has a pair of sliding joints towards the back called facet joints. If an adhesion forms on those joints or they become “stuck,” your body will try to compensate, and that can lead to other challenges like muscle spasms. These sharp muscle spasms that restrict your ability to move are often your body’s way of protecting a joint that isn’t moving correctly.
Modern lifestyle factors significantly contribute to neck problems. Many of us spend 2 hours or more per day on our smartphones and 5 hours or more on our computers, resulting in thousands of hours of neck strain each year. Tilting your head forward, even just 15 degrees, can increase the weight of your head on your neck by over 3X. Tilting your head forward 60 degrees can nearly 10X the stress and strain on your neck!
Understanding Tech Neck and Forward Head Posture
The rise in technology use has created a new category of neck problems commonly called “tech neck” or “text neck.” If your chin is tucked down and your ears are in front of your shoulders, you’re in the forward head posture that characterizes this condition. Driving a car, working on the computer, and using a tablet or phone all usually result in this less-than-ideal posture.
This sustained poor posture places enormous stress on your cervical spine and supporting muscles. The cumulative effect of maintaining these positions for hours daily can lead to muscle imbalances, joint restrictions, and chronic pain patterns that require professional intervention to resolve effectively.
How Chiropractic Care Addresses Neck Pain
Gentle spinal adjustments combined with daily stretching can help restore the motion of your facet joints and reduce your pain. Our approach at Integrative Chiropractic goes beyond simple symptom relief to address the underlying mechanical problems causing your neck pain.
Dr. Fisk utilizes Network Spinal Analysis, a gentle technique that requires no twisting, cracking, or popping. This low-force approach helps restore proper joint movement while supporting your nervous system’s natural healing processes. When facet joints become “stuck,” traditional forceful adjustments aren’t always necessary. Instead, our gentle methods help your body rediscover proper movement patterns.
Our treatment approach includes a comprehensive evaluation to identify specific joint restrictions and muscle imbalances. We assess your posture, work habits, and daily activities to understand contributing factors. Treatment may include spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapies, ergonomic education, and specific exercises designed to strengthen supporting muscles and improve postural awareness.
Prevention and Long-Term Relief Strategies
Regular movement breaks, proper workstation setup, and maintaining awareness of your posture throughout the day can significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic neck problems. We provide specific exercises and stretches you can perform at home to maintain the improvements achieved through professional treatment.
Don’t Let Neck Pain Control Your Life
Contact Integrative Chiropractic today to schedule your evaluation and discover how gentle, effective treatment can restore your neck’s natural movement and eliminate your pain.
