Almost everyone gets a sore neck at some point. Most episodes settle with time and sensible movement. When neck pain keeps coming back, or limits sleep, work or driving, it is worth finding out why.
What commonly drives neck pain
- Prolonged screen time. Holding your head forward for hours loads the muscles and joints at the back of the neck.
- Sleep position and pillows. A pillow that bends the neck too far up or down can leave you stiff in the morning.
- Stress and tension. Many people carry stress in the shoulders and neck.
- Past injuries. An old fall, sports injury or car accident can leave areas that stay irritated.
- Joint or disc irritation. Sometimes the joints or discs of the neck are the source, which can also cause arm symptoms.
What helps in the first few days
- Keep moving gently. Slow turns and tilts within a comfortable range usually beat complete rest.
- Use heat or ice, whichever feels better to you, for short periods.
- Adjust your workstation: screen at eye level, elbows near 90 degrees, feet supported.
- Change position often. The best posture is the next one.
What a chiropractic neck exam looks like
Dr. Devine begins with your story: how it started, what makes it better or worse, and any arm symptoms, headaches or past injuries. He then checks motion, muscle tension and joint function in the neck, upper back and shoulders, and screens for anything that needs medical attention. Care may include gentle manual therapy, mobility work, home exercises and, in some cases, laser therapy.
Learn more on our neck pain page, or see the neck pain care at Form & Function Chiropractic. If your neck pain followed a crash, read about whiplash.
When to get medical care first
Go to the emergency room after significant trauma, or if neck pain comes with fever, severe headache, trouble walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, or sudden weakness or numbness. See a doctor promptly if arm pain, numbness or weakness is spreading or getting worse.
Related reading
Dr. Jeff Devine practices at Form & Function Chiropractic, 3 Monroe Pkwy Ste G, Lake Oswego, OR 97035. Call (503) 495-3454.
This article is general education, not medical advice. It does not replace an exam by a licensed provider. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.