When Should You See Someone for Neck Pain?

A good rule of thumb: see a chiropractor or your doctor for neck pain when it lasts more than a few days, limits your neck movement or sleep, keeps coming back, or radiates into a shoulder, arm or hand. And get urgent medical attention right away for the red-flag symptoms listed below. Most everyday neck pain is mechanical and settles with gentle movement, but it is not something you have to simply live with.

Neck discomfort is very common, especially for people who spend long hours at a desk, behind the wheel or looking down at a phone. When the neck is stiff, it can limit how far you turn your head, make driving or sleeping uncomfortable, and even contribute to headaches. These kinds of mechanical issues are exactly what a chiropractic evaluation looks at.

Before reaching for care, a few days of self-care is often reasonable: gentle neck movement, heat or cold, and being mindful of posture while you work and sleep. If the pain is not improving after several days, or it is interfering with your day, an evaluation can help you understand what is actually going on rather than guessing.

Chiropractic care may help with mechanical neck pain by restoring motion in the joints of the neck and upper back. Dr. Greg always starts by listening to your history and examining how your neck moves, and if your situation points toward a different provider, he will tell you that honestly rather than treating you anyway.

Seek urgent medical attention for neck pain that follows an accident, fall or sports injury; pain that travels into an arm or leg; numbness, tingling or weakness in a limb; trouble walking or loss of coordination; a fever with a stiff neck; dizziness, double vision, slurred speech or trouble swallowing; or loss of bowel or bladder control. These can point to a more serious problem that needs medical care rather than chiropractic care.

If you are in Sparta, Morris Plains or the surrounding Sussex or Morris County communities and neck pain is slowing you down, Dr. Gregory Martin has practiced chiropractic since 1996. Call or text (973) 699-4100 to schedule an evaluation at his Sparta office at 283 Sparta Avenue, or ask about the Morris Plains office at 520 Speedwell Avenue.