Muscle tension and posture
A forward head position at a screen or long hours in the car load the neck muscles. Stress and a poor sleeping position add to it.
Neck Pain Relief in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Turning your head to back out of the driveway should not hurt. We find what is keeping your neck sore and stiff, then build a plan you can follow at work, at home and in training.
- 5.0 Google reviews
- A full exam before any treatment
The short answer
Neck pain is soreness, stiffness or pain in the seven bones, joints, discs and muscles of the upper spine, sometimes with headaches or pain into the arm. At True Performance in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, we examine how your neck moves and whether a nerve is involved, then use chiropractic adjustments, home exercises and, for athletes, movement training.
Overview
Why does my neck keep tightening up?
Maybe it started after a long week at the laptop. Maybe a fender bender or a hard hit in practice set it off. Either way, you now check your blind spot with your whole body.
Most neck pain comes from muscles and joints under strain, and it often eases with the right care. Some of it comes from an irritated nerve, and that needs a closer look.
What does care look like here?
We start with how your neck moves, which positions hurt and whether the pain reaches your shoulder or hand. Most plans then begin with chiropractic adjustments for a stiff, sore neck, paced to what you tolerate.
Understanding
What is neck pain?
Neck pain is pain or stiffness in the cervical spine, the seven small bones at the top of your spine and the discs, joints, muscles and nerves around them. It often comes from muscle strain or poor posture, and it can also follow an injury or wear in the joints.
What is actually happening
Muscles or joints in the neck take more load than they can handle.
The area tightens and guards, so turning your head gets harder.
Sometimes a nearby nerve gets irritated and pain travels into the arm.
Who this usually affects
- Desk workers who spend long hours at a screen
- Drivers and commuters who hold one position for hours
- Athletes after a hit, fall or heavy lifting session
- Adults with age-related wear in the neck joints
When it is something else
- Neck pain after a serious crash or fall: emergency care first
- A stiff neck with fever and headache: see a physician today
- Arm weakness that keeps getting worse
The re-check
We re-check your range of motion and symptoms as you go. If your neck is not improving, we change the plan or refer you for imaging or a medical opinion.
Symptoms
Symptoms of neck pain
- Stiffness and trouble turning your head
- Dull, sharp or burning neck pain
- Tight muscles across the neck and upper shoulders
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Pain that travels into the shoulder or arm
- Tingling or numbness in the arm or hand
- Weakness in the arm or grip
- Soreness that builds with long sitting or driving
- Neck pain that wakes you at night
Causes
Common causes
Whiplash and other injuries
A car crash, fall or contact sport can strain the muscles and ligaments of the neck, even when nothing is broken.
Wear in the joints and discs
Arthritis and age-related disc changes can bring stiffness and pain that returns. Scans do not always match how much it hurts.
Overuse in training and work
Heavy upper-body lifting, repeated head turns and long stretches without a break keep the neck under strain.
Muscle strain, whiplash and arthritis are among the common causes listed in the MedlinePlus overview of neck injuries and disorders.
Our approach
How our care works
We treat neck pain by first finding out whether the joints, the muscles or a nerve is the main problem. Care centers on chiropractic adjustments and exercise, with performance training for athletes, paced to your comfort and changed as your neck responds.
Spinal adjustment
Gentle adjustments and mobilization of the neck and upper back, plus exercises and advice on posture, your desk setup and sleep position. Read how spinal adjustments for neck and back pain are matched to your exam.
Sports performance training
When neck pain is holding back your golf swing, tennis serve or riding, training works on neck control, balance and quick visual tracking. See how performance training for athletes with neck pain is measured.
Red flags
When to seek care
Most neck pain is not an emergency. A few signs need medical care before anything else.
- Neck pain after a car crash, a dive or a hard fall
- You cannot move your arm or hand after an injury
- A stiff neck with fever and headache, so you cannot touch chin to chest
- Neck or arm pain with shortness of breath, sweating or jaw pain
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or trouble walking
If you notice any of these, call 911 or go to the emergency room before booking with us.
Source: MedlinePlus guide to neck pain.
Your clinician
Who plans your care
Your exam and plan are led by Dr. Jeff McWhorter, D.C., a chiropractor whose practice focuses on functional neurology, concussion rehabilitation, and performance. He checks how your neck moves, how your muscles respond and whether a nerve is involved.
He also looks at balance and body control, because neck pain after an injury can affect more than the neck. If something points beyond chiropractic care, he tells you and helps you find the right next step.
Visit
Getting here
Our office is at 18029 Calle Ambiente, Suite 507, in Cielo Village, Rancho Santa Fe. We are about two miles from Lake Hodges, a short drive for patients from Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Escondido.
The first step
Schedule Your Neck Pain Evaluation
- 01Start with a complimentary 15-minute intro call
- 02Your first visit takes about 90 minutes, plus data and history gathering
- 03We refer you if your exam calls for imaging
Can a chiropractor help with neck pain?
A chiropractor can assess many joint, muscle and movement problems in the neck. Adjustments, mobilization and exercise are common parts of care, and results vary from person to person.
How long does neck pain take to get better?
Many strains improve within days to weeks. Pain that lasts more than a week with self-care, or comes with arm numbness or weakness, deserves an exam.
Can neck pain cause headaches?
Yes. Tight neck muscles and stiff upper neck joints can bring on headaches that start at the base of the skull. We check the neck when headaches come with stiffness.
Why does my neck pain travel into my arm?
Pain, tingling or numbness in the arm can mean a nerve in the neck is irritated. We test strength, reflexes and sensation, and refer you if the findings need imaging. Pain can also run the other way, from shoulder pain that spreads toward the neck.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI first?
Most people do not need a scan to start care. We recommend imaging or a medical opinion when the injury was serious or the exam shows signs of nerve damage.
Turn your head again without bracing for pain
Start with a complimentary 15-minute call with our team.