Maybe you woke up and couldn't turn your head to check your blind spot. Maybe it's a slow ache that builds every afternoon at your desk and turns into a headache by dinner. Neck pain has a way of sneaking into everything, from your sleep to your mood.
Most of the time, it comes down to how your neck moves and how much load it carries each day. That's exactly the kind of problem a chiropractor is trained to sort out.
Why Does My Neck Hurt?
The most common reasons for neck pain are poor posture, stiff joints in the neck and upper back, strained muscles and wear and tear on the discs. Hours spent looking down at a phone or laptop are a big one. So are stress, a pillow that doesn't support you, carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder and old injuries that never fully healed.
If your neck pain started after a car accident, that's a different situation. Our whiplash recovery guide explains what to watch for.
When Should You See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain?
It's a good idea to get checked if your neck pain has hung around for more than a few days or keeps coming back. Other signs worth paying attention to:
- Pain that spreads into your shoulders or between your shoulder blades
- Headaches that start at the base of your skull
- Tingling or numbness in your arm or hand
- Trouble turning your head while driving
- Noticing your head sits forward of your shoulders in photos
How Does a Chiropractor Treat Neck Pain in Arlington, TX?
A chiropractor treats neck pain by getting stiff joints moving, calming tight muscles and helping you change the habits that keep straining your neck. Dr. Moss starts with a careful exam: how your neck moves, where it's tight, how your posture looks and, when needed, digital X rays to check the alignment and curve of your neck.
Your head and neck pain treatment plan is then built around what he finds. It often includes gentle manual adjusting for stiff joints and trigger point therapy for the knots that build up in your upper shoulders. Many patients also get cervical traction, which we'll explain below. You'll go home with a short list of exercises to strengthen the small muscles that hold your head up.
What Is Cervical Traction?
Cervical traction is a gentle stretch for your neck. It creates a little more space between the bones of the neck, which takes pressure off the discs and nerves and lets tight muscles relax. It's especially helpful for pinched nerves, arm tingling and a neck that has lost its natural curve from years of looking down. Most people find it surprisingly relaxing, and the stretch is always adjusted to what feels comfortable for you.
Can a Chiropractor Help Headaches That Start in the Neck?
Yes. A lot of headaches actually begin in the neck. When the joints and muscles at the top of your neck are tight, they can send pain up into the back of your head, your temples or behind your eyes. Easing that tension often means fewer and milder headaches. Migraines and sudden, severe headaches are different and should be checked by a medical provider first. We explain how to tell them apart in tension headaches vs migraines.
How Can You Fix Text Neck and Bad Posture?
Chiropractic care helps loosen what's tight and strengthen what's weak, but your daily habits do a lot of the work too. A few easy wins:
- Hold your phone up at eye level instead of dropping your chin
- Raise your monitor so the top of the screen is level with your eyes
- Every 30 minutes, sit back and gently tuck your chin for a few seconds
- Use a pillow that keeps your neck level with your spine
- Switch shoulders when you carry a bag, or use a backpack
Can Neck Pain Make You Dizzy?
It can. Stiff joints and tight muscles at the top of the neck can throw off your sense of balance, a problem called cervicogenic dizziness. If you notice dizziness along with neck pain, our article on chiropractic care for vertigo in Arlington goes into more detail.
How Long Until My Neck Feels Better?
Many people notice less pain and easier movement within their first few visits. A neck that has been stiff for years, or one with disc changes, takes longer because muscles and ligaments adapt slowly. Dr. Moss will talk through a realistic timeline with you at your first visit.
When Is Neck Pain an Emergency?
Get emergency care right away if neck pain follows a serious accident, or if it comes with a fever and stiff neck, a sudden severe headache, weakness in both arms or legs, or trouble speaking or walking.
FAQ Common questions
Neck Pain FAQs
Neck adjustments are generally considered safe when they're done by a licensed chiropractor after a proper exam. Dr. Moss uses gentle techniques and always checks your health history first.
Yes. Adjustments and cervical traction can take pressure off an irritated nerve and ease the pain, tingling or numbness that runs down your arm.
On your back or side, with a pillow that keeps your neck in line with the rest of your spine. Sleeping on your stomach twists your neck for hours and often makes pain worse.
New patients start with our $99 new patient special, which covers the exam, consultation and digital X rays if needed.
Book Neck Pain Care in Arlington, TX
If your neck has been bothering you for a while, there's no need to keep waiting it out. Dr. Michael Moss, D.C. will take the time to find out what's going on and explain your options in plain language. You can take a peek at the clinic first on our office tour.
Call (817) 718 1052 or book online. You'll find us at 5801 W Interstate 20, Suite 350, Arlington, TX 76017, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.