Neck Pain Treatment in Valley Stream, NY
Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a chiropractor. It can make it hard to turn your head while driving, focus at work or get a good night’s sleep. At Valley Stream Chiropractic in Valley Stream, NY, we treat people suffering from acute or chronic conditions resulting from life’s normal activities, and neck pain is high on that list.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
Neck pain can start suddenly after an injury, or build slowly over time. Common causes include:
- Poor posture and long hours at a desk, laptop or phone
- Sleeping in an awkward position
- Muscle strain and tension
- Wear and tear of the joints in the neck
- Disc problems that irritate nearby nerves
- Injuries such as whiplash from a car accident or a fall
Symptoms You May Notice
Neck pain can feel like a dull ache, sharp pain or stiffness. Some people also have headaches, pain between the shoulder blades, or tingling and numbness that travels into the arms and hands. If neck pain follows a fall or accident and comes with numbness or weakness in the arms, or if you have a fever with a stiff neck and a severe headache, seek medical care right away. Call 911 if sudden, severe neck pain comes with dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, trouble swallowing or face drooping.
How We Can Help
Your first visit includes an exam of how your neck moves, your posture and the nerves that run to your arms. From there, care may include chiropractic adjustments, Arthrostim adjustments, massage therapy, trigger point therapy and myofascial release. We may also use cold laser therapy or electrical stimulation to help ease pain. As you improve, stretching and strengthening exercises and posture advice can help support your neck in daily life.
Schedule an Appointment
Don’t keep living with a stiff, painful neck. Call Valley Stream Chiropractic today at (516) 791-6421 to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor.
How It Can Help
Find the source
A careful exam helps find what is behind your neck pain, from muscle strain to joint problems.
Improve range of motion
Chiropractic care aims to help your neck turn and move more freely.
Ease muscle tension
Massage, trigger point therapy and myofascial release can help relax tight neck and shoulder muscles.
Why Neck Pain Is Worth Addressing
The neck holds up the weight of the head all day while letting it turn, tilt and nod. That combination of strength and flexibility also makes it easy to strain. Long hours looking down at a phone or laptop, sleeping in an awkward position, carrying a heavy bag or a sudden jolt in a car accident can all leave the neck stiff and sore. Many people also notice tension that spreads into the shoulders and upper back, or headaches that start at the base of the skull.
Most neck pain is not serious, but it can affect sleep, work, driving and even your mood. Pain that is ignored can lead people to hold the neck stiffly, which may add to tension over time. A few warning signs need medical care first, and they are listed in the FAQs below.
What to Expect From Neck Pain Treatment
Your chiropractor will ask when the pain started, what makes it better or worse and whether you feel any symptoms in your arms or hands. The exam checks how your neck moves, your posture and the muscles around your neck and shoulders, along with strength, reflexes and sensation in your arms. If there is any concern about a fracture, a disc problem or nerve involvement, imaging may be recommended before hands-on treatment begins.
Depending on your exam, care may include gentle chiropractic adjustments, Arthrostim adjustments, massage therapy, trigger point therapy or myofascial release, and modalities such as cold laser therapy or electrical stimulation. As pain settles, stretching and strengthening exercises are added to support better posture. Your chiropractor may also suggest changes to your pillow, desk setup or screen habits. Many patients notice improvement over several visits.
New to the office? Read what to expect at your first visit, or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes neck pain?
Neck pain can come from muscle strain, poor posture, long hours at a desk or phone, sleeping in an awkward position, wear and tear of the joints, a disc problem, or an injury such as whiplash.
How can a chiropractor help with neck pain?
A chiropractor may use adjustments, massage therapy, trigger point therapy and stretching and strengthening exercises to help reduce pain and improve how the neck moves.
When is neck pain serious?
Seek medical care right away if neck pain follows a fall or accident and comes with numbness or weakness in the arms, if you have a fever with a stiff neck and headache, or if neck pain comes with chest pain or shortness of breath. Call 911 if sudden, severe neck pain comes with dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, trouble swallowing or face drooping.
Can my desk or phone habits cause neck pain?
They can. Looking down at a screen for long periods puts extra load on the muscles and joints of the neck. Raising your screen closer to eye level, taking short breaks and doing simple stretches during the day may help reduce strain.
Is neck pain related to headaches?
It can be. Tight muscles and stiff joints in the upper neck can refer pain into the head, often felt at the base of the skull or behind the eyes. Treating the neck may help some people with this type of headache.
Terms You May Hear
- Cervical spine
- The seven vertebrae of the neck. They support the head and protect the spinal cord as it leaves the skull.
- Range of motion
- How far a joint can move in each direction. Reduced neck range of motion makes it hard to turn your head.
- Radiating pain
- Pain that travels from one area into another, such as from the neck down into the shoulder, arm or hand.
Related Services
Spinal Manipulation & Adjustment
Chiropractic adjustments at Valley Stream Chiropractic address vertebrae that are not moving or functioning properly, to reduce pain and improve range of motion and mobility.
Learn MoreTrigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a specialized form of massage that targets the areas where muscle tension and knots develop. Dr. Green uses it alone or as part of a chiropractic care plan.
Learn MoreWhiplash
Whiplash is a common car accident injury. Valley Stream Chiropractic helps treat it with chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, exercises, and lifestyle advice.
Learn More
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