Disc Degeneration
Disc degeneration is a common cause of neck pain and most often appears in middle aged people. As we age, the degenerative changes of the discs and facet joints of the cervical spine cause neck pain, usually experienced as a stiff neck.
Due to many years of wear and tear, the discs become thinner and this causes the spaces between the vertebrae to become narrower. If the nerves in the cervical area are becoming irritated or pinched, this may lead to numbness or tingling in the neck and shoulders.
Stress and Tension
People who sit for long periods with their heads bent over, build up stress in the cervical spine causing neck pain. In this bent over position, the muscles at the back of your neck are always tense as they work to hold your head up. The most common example of this posture is seen in those individuals with jobs that require frequent computer use.
The combination of stress and bad posture causes neck spasms. In most cases this type of neck pain can be reduced or eliminated by adjusting the computer position and changing some work habits
How to temporarily relieve neck pain?
There are many ways to obtain temporarily relief from neck pain. You can use at-home remedies, physical therapy or alternative treatments like chiropractors and acupuncturists.
It is important to find a certified professional who can analyze the cause of your neck problem first. For severe acute neck pain resulting from an accident or injury, doctors usually recommend bed rest, a neck brace or collar, and cold treatment (such as an ice pack) for neck pain relief.
What is Neck Traction?
A common neck pain treatment used by chiropractors is neck traction. Neck traction is commonly utilized to help relieve muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders, and to help relieve the pain of pinched nerves in the neck.
During the cervical traction the weight of the head is gently lifted off the neck and may temporarily decompress pinched nerve roots.
Visiting a chiropractor is the best way to get useful "adjustments" to the spine.
After the treatment you may acquire a cervaical neck traction device for home use. Some chiropractors may hesitate to prescribe the traction device for you, fearing it would be detrimental to your professional image.
Keep visiting your chiropractor after you have received a home traction device. The chiropractic adjustment is still beneficial and he can answer your questions about the use of the neck traction device.
