What is Stiff Neck?
Stiff neck is a condition characterized by stiff neck muscles and limited neck mobility. And this condition is often caused by an accumulation of stress and tension in the neck and head. This stress and tension can be the result of overexertion, poor posture, sports injuries, repetitive neck movements, or the cumulative effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
Signs and Symptoms of Stiff Neck
The most common symptoms of stiff neck are limited neck movement, neck pain, stiffness, muscle spasms, and headaches. Left untreated, stiff neck can lead to more serious health problems, such as herniated discs, acute or chronic pain, and spinal stenosis.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Stiff Neck
The upper cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae and plays a major role in head support and neck movement. When the upper cervical spine is properly aligned, it helps to maintain the neck muscles in a relaxed state and prevents the accumulation of musculoskeletal strain and tension in the neck and head.
When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, the muscle tone of the neck can be altered in damaging ways. In many cases, the scalene muscles, which run along the sides of the neck, can be tugged forward by upper cervical vertebral misalignments, causing forward rotation of the head and pain and/or stiffness in the upper and lower back.
How Our Stiff Neck Treatment Works
Upper cervical chiropractic care treats stiff neck by restoring proper alignment and functionality of the upper cervical spine. At our office, we use a combination of upper cervical corrections and soft tissue massage techniques to help alleviate stiff neck pain.
The first step in our stiff neck treatment is to determine whether or not the patient is experiencing stiff neck due to a vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine. To do so, our expert chiropractor, Dr. Bello, will perform a thorough assessment and examination of the patient. During this process, Dr. Bello will use several different diagnostic tools, ranging from gentle X-rays to cone-beam computed tomography scans.
Once we have pinpointed the exact location of your misalignment, Dr. Bello will perform a series of painless, non-invasive chiropractic corrections to relax the spinal column and restore proper alignment to the upper cervical spine. Depending on the cause of your misalignment, Dr. Bello may also recommend exercises and postural changes to prevent stiff neck from returning after your treatment.
If you’re looking for long-term relief from stiff neck, Dr. Bello is here to help you. He offers stiff neck treatment to patients in West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Brentwood, Westwood, Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas.