Most people know that chiropractors treat patients for neck pain. They may not be certain as to what approach chiropractors utilize to provide neck pain relief. This article will discuss common causes of neck discomfort and methods chiropractors use in treating this common malady.
There can be many causes of neck pain. However, a very common reason people develop neck discomfort is because they have mechanical or physical abnormalities of the upper spine.
The spinal bones of the neck are called the cervical vertebrae. There are seven cervical vertebrae. Spinal nerves exit from openings between the cervical vertebrae on both sides of the neck. Additionally, there are joints between each of the cervical vertebrae on the right and left. These are called the facet joints.
If there is a mechanical, or physical misalignment up cervical vertebrae or if there is abnormal or improper movement of the cervical vertebrae it can pinch the cervical spinal nerves or cause irritation to the cervical facet joints. When this occurs, a person will experience neck pain of a mechanical origin.