Neck Pain Treatment in New Jersey

Chronic neck pain can prevent you from performing basic functions like turning or lifting your head. One wrong move could send daggers of pain shooting across your shoulders and down your spine. But with so many neck pain treatment options available, you might not know which will work for you. 

At Align Health & Wellness, we specialize in non-invasive, holistic approaches to relief. Our team outlined our comprehensive options below to help you decide whether acupuncture, chiropractic care, or physical therapy for neck pain works best for you. Don’t put neck pain treatment off any longer. Regain control of your life today. 

Neck pain doesn’t always manifest as an obvious stiffness or soreness in the neck and upper shoulders. Sometimes, you might have other symptoms related to the pain’s source, such as:

• Headaches and migraines: Neck stiffness can affect the sensitive muscles surrounding your face and skull. You might experience occasional headaches as a result. On the other hand, debilitating migraines may also suddenly develop, leaving you bedridden. 
• Upper back pain: If you don’t feel the stiffness and soreness in your neck, you might notice it in your upper back instead. These sensations may extend to your shoulder blades. 
• Jaw stiffness: Neck problems may manifest as temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ. You could feel discomfort in your jaw joints. This symptom can also cause discomfort in your ears, throat, eyes, and forehead.
• Arm pain: Neck pain may radiate down through your shoulders and into your arms. You might feel tingling or numbness in these extremities. 

Many people attribute sudden neck pain to something as innocuous as “sleeping the wrong way.” You might mistake an ongoing condition for awakening with a crick in your neck. However, that stiffness in your upper back, neck, and head might accompany come from a more insidious injury: 

• Whiplash: This injury typically occurs because of car wrecks and similar events. As your vehicle suddenly stops, your spine keeps moving forward at the same speed. The seatbelt pulls you back, causing a rapid movement back and forth. Since the seatbelt doesn’t inhibit your neck, the uppermost section of your spine remains the most vulnerable. 
• Pinched nerves: Hundreds of nerves start from your spine and expand outward, sending signals about sensations and movements to the rest of your body. If the nerves around your neck become pinched by other tissues, they may radiate pain through your shoulders to your fingertips.  
• Brain injuries: Concussions and fractured skulls can also send pain signals to your neck. Neck pain can manifest as one of the most severe symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. 
• Torticollis: This tissue disorder makes your muscles twist and contract beyond your control. It develops gradually in some patients. Other people suffer from it as a result of a traumatic injury. 
• Slipped discs: A rubbery disc sits between each vertebrae, providing a supportive cushion that protects your spine. The gel inside the rubbery coating sometimes leaks out, causing the disc to move from its position. If you slip a disc in your neck or upper back, you might struggle with neck pain. 
• Arthritis: This condition occurs when soft tissues like cartilage become inflamed, placing excessive pressure on surrounding bones and tissues. Sometimes, arthritis develops in the shoulders and neck. A neck pain treatment plan may ease your discomfort. 

At Align Wellness & Health, we offer diverse approaches to all types of neck pain, including:

• Physical therapy for neck pain
• Chiropractic treatment for neck pain
• Acupuncture for neck pain and head pain

Learn more about each treatment’s effectiveness below. 

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

Gallup statistics show that 41% of patients who underwent physical therapy found it effective, compared to 15% of back surgery recipients and 22% of patients who took pain prescriptions. This treatment for neck pain involves:

• Guided sessions with a physical therapist who specializes in assisting patients through body movements for optimal mobility
• At-home routines you can do by yourself to increase your treatment’s effectiveness
• Treatment schedules that work well with other medical approaches 

Chiropractic for Neck Pain

Choosing chiropractic for neck pain could offer one of the safest approaches to pain management. One assessment found that chiropractic treatments may have fewer injury risks than their counterparts in primary care. Your chiropractor will use manipulations, alignments, and other methods to help improve your condition. 

Acupuncture for Neck Pain

A 2021 study found that patients who underwent true acupuncture experienced more relief than subjects who underwent sham versions of the treatment. Acupuncture for neck pain offers a fantastic supplementary approach to your treatment regimen. It can improve blood circulation, which relieves pain and eases inflammation. 

Whether you need a chiropractor for whiplash treatment or a more comprehensive plan to manage your aching neck, you can trust the supportive staff at Align Health & Wellness for a neck pain treatment that focuses on your needs as an individual. Book an appointment at 609-799-8444 to treat your neck pain at our New Jersey locations. 

Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.

How can I tell when my neck needs a chiropractic adjustment?

You can tell when you need chiropractic for neck pain when you struggle with chronic neck pain or related discomfort in your shoulders and upper back. 

What are some side effects of an acupuncture treatment on the neck?

Some side effects of acupuncture for neck pain include swelling, soreness, and light bleeding. However, these effects should subside soon after your treatment. 

What can physical therapy do for my neck?

Physical therapy can strengthen your neck and improve flexibility. You may experience less pain and stiffness. 

What should I avoid when my neck hurts?

You should avoid slouching, sudden movements, and using too many pillows when your neck hurts. These actions can strain your neck even more.