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Neck Pain

Melilli Chiropractic and Rehab Center

Chiropractor, Massage Therapy and Physical Therapy located in Clearwater, FL

When it's hurting, your neck can have a major impact on your ability to perform even the smallest of tasks. Thankfully, there are medical experts like Steven Melilli, DC, who understand the dynamics of this small area and how to treat it when you're in pain. At Melilli Chiropractic and Rehab Center, the team works with their patients in Clearwater, Florida, to tackle both acute and chronic neck pain and provide long-lasting relief. To learn more, call the office to schedule an appointment today.

Neck Pain Q&A

How is the neck constructed?

In order to better understand why neck pain can have such a widespread impact on your life, it's helpful to understand the anatomy and role of your neck. As you turn your head from side to side and up and down, consider the amount of mobility you enjoy and often take for granted until it's limited by pain.

Your cervical spine, which is comprised of seven small vertebrae separated by cushiony discs, affords you this degree of mobility. There 14 facet joints that also allow proper mobility but when these joints don't function properly, pain ensues. A network of connective tissue and muscles supports your cervical spine, providing the incredible range of motion for your head.

What causes neck pain?

Outside of movement, the other major role of your neck is to support your head, which weighs between nine and eleven pounds, on average. This fact is important because one of the most common causes of neck pain is whiplash.

Whiplash occurs when you experience an impact that throws your head back and forwards or side to side. Whiplash is most often associated with car accidents, but it can also be tied to sports, abusive shaking, and any other incident where your head is flung around. If not treated properly, whiplash can end up causing chronic problems.

While whiplash is one of the most common culprits behind neck pain, there are other causes, which include:

  • Herniated or bulging cervical discs
  • Arthritis
  • Stenosis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Tension headaches
  • Poor posture

Given the amount of daily stress your neck is under, chronic neck pain is fairly common and usually worsens over time unless you seek medical attention.

How is neck pain treated?

Dr. Melilli has had great success treating acute neck pain, like whiplash injuries, using the following techniques:

  • Cox Flexion-Distraction 
  • Diversified 
  • Thompson Drop
  • Activator
  • Extremity adjusting 

These treatments are also effective in treating chronic neck pain, along with other therapies, such as:

  • Corrective exercises
  • Stretching
  • Massage therapy

The goal of all of the treatments is to unblock your body by correcting misalignments that may be preventing crucial healing resources from accessing the injured area. 

Dr. Melilli works with you, often using several different treatment modalities, to find a combination that best taps into your body's incredible ability to heal and regenerate.

If neck pain has sidelined you, call Melilli Chiropractic and Rehab Center to schedule an appointment today.