Anxiety and Chiropractic Treatments: How They Help

One of the common reasons people suffer from neck pain is poor posture. This may be because of hunching over your workbench or leaning over your laptop. Neck pain can also be a result of whiplash injury or osteoarthritis. 

In some cases, neck pain is a symptom of an underlying problem. This is the reason you should never ignore neck pain. The moment you experience neck pain, make sure you consult a chiropractor. Here are some consequences of not treating neck pain. 

Neck Pain May Be Caused by a Herniated Disc

A herniated disc may occur along the spine or in the neck or lower back areas. When a disc becomes herniated, the center bulges out. This is because the exterior has weakened because of age or injury. One of the symptoms of a herniated disc is neck pain. If you don't treat a herniated disc, it may escalate to nerve damage.

Neck Pain May Lead to Serious Headaches

If you don't treat neck pain, you may start to experience severe headaches. Whiplash, poor posture, osteoarthritis, and prolapsed discs can cause headaches. These headaches are accompanied by a stiff neck and pain when you sneeze or cough. You shouldn't ignore headaches caused by neck pain since they could be caused by an underlying problem.

Neck Pain Could Be Caused by Cancer

Sometimes, persistent neck pain is caused by neck or head cancer. Some of the symptoms associated with head and neck cancer are a sore or lump that doesn't heal. One of the reasons people suffer from head and neck cancer is excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption. Other causes include exposure to radiation and poor oral hygiene. In many cases, head and neck cancers occur in the pharynx, larynx, and oral cavity.

Neck Pain Could Be Caused by Bone Spurs

Bone spurs are projections on the edge of your bones. One of the causes of bone spurs is osteoarthritis. Bone spurs are mainly associated with old age. When you have bone spurs you may experience pain in the neck. This is because the bone spurs compress nerves in the neck resulting in pain throughout your upper body. 

Failing to address neck pain can lead to health complications that can be averted if addressed early. If you experience neck pain, you shouldn't hesitate to consult a chiropractor. The practitioner will perform a series of tests to determine the cause of your neck pain. Some treatments your chiropractor may use to address your pain include spinal alignment and flexion distraction.