Is your commute a pain in the neck? Is At some point most of us have experienced upper back and neck pain while driving. Perhaps you turned your head to the side to shoulder check and felt a sharp shooting pain, or just a “crick” in your neck.
This is a problem.
It’s even more of a problem when the neck pain causes you to recruit your upper body to shoulder check. Or it can get worse and you just “hope for the best” and not shoulder check at all. We have all seen other drivers do that one.
It’s important to know what causes your commute to be a pain in the neck and how to fix it before you cause an accident.
Don’t accept anything less than a full range of motion.
This is not an “eh…its good enough” moment, you need to be able to comfortably turn your head. Your safety and the safety of others are at risk here. As a Chiropractor its crucial to evaluate a patient’s range of motion with they have neck pain. How far can you turn your head to the left and then to the right.
A full range of motion should include the ability to turn your head so your chin is in line with your shoulder. You should be able to do this without shrugging your shoulders or turning your body and you should not have pain of any kind. You don’t have to go “full exorcist” but you should easily be able to bring your chin near your shoulder. If you can’t it is a sure sign that there is a problem not just with the muscles, but also the bones in your neck.
The pain may be more than just your commute.
The pain in your neck while driving may be more than the length of your commute, or the frustration of driving in heavy traffic. The likelihood is that there are other factors as well, and your commute is where the pain manifests.
Most people work at a desk all day with poor posture, and then double up on the poor posture on the commute back home. At a red light look at the posture of the other drivers around you. I am sure you’ll notice that their head is way forward, their shoulders are rounded forward, and they are probably slouched down in the seat.
This posture puts a tremendous amount of extra load on your neck, leading to muscle fatigue, soreness, misalignment of the bones in your neck, and finally pain.
One simple thing.
While this tip is not going to fix the root cause of this problem (misalignment if the bones in your neck), It can be a very helpful thought when it comes to better posture. Try pushing or pointing the top of your sternum (breastbone) towards the sky. This naturally helps you sit up straighter and pulls your neck and shoulders back.
It’s all about alignment.
As tempting as it might be to chalk up your neck pain to stress or needing a massage, the reality is that your commuting conundrum comes down to alignment.
Think about it this way.
Your entire central nervous system travels to every part of your body from your brain and your spinal cord. The majority of your peripheral nerves pass through one or more areas of your spine. When your spine is out of alignment, these nerves become cramped sending distress signals to your brain. This can present in the form of pain, numbness, tingling, or even burning.
Over time, if the neck is not realigned, the muscles begin to compensate for weakness or pain creating even bigger problems than before. If you fix the alignment problem, you fix the nerve problem which, in turn, fixes the muscular problem.
Chiropractic care is the best way to realign your spine and restore your neck’s range of motion. The cervical vertebrae, the bones closest to the skull, are capable of moving in every direction. But if they are misaligned, their movement is impeded. By carefully and strategically realigning these bones as well as the rest of the spine, you will find your range of motion is restored and your pain is relieved at the source.
Stop relying on your mirrors and dumb luck to stay safe on your commute.
There are some surprising benefits of chiropractic care. It’s a drug free, non-invasive approach to healthcare that has become popular in recent years. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the benefits of chiropractic care and how it can help improve your overall health and well-being.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Pain Relief
One of the primary benefits of regular chiropractic care is its ability to relieve pain. Many people turn to chiropractic care as a form of pain management. Patients seek out chiropractic for conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and improve range of motion. These may include
Spinal adjustments to improve joint function.
Electronic muscle stimulation to reduce tension.
Rehabilitative Exercises to improve stability of an area.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Improve Mobility and Flexibility
A common complaint that many people present to a chiropractor is a decrease in mobility and flexibility. This is because the spine plays a crucial role in the body’s movement. When the spine is out of alignment, it can lead to stiffness, limited range of motion, and even muscle imbalances. Chiropractors can use spinal adjustments to realign the spine, to help to improve mobility and flexibility. This can lead to reduced pain, better posture, less strain on the joints, and improved athletic performance.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Its not just a treatment for the Spine
While it is true that Chiropractors focus heavily on the spine, for many of us it is not only about improving the alignment of the spine. Joint restriction or misalignment in the extremities can lead to a decrease in motion and pain. This can have a negative impact on shoulders, elbows, hands/wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Many Chiropractors can improve mobility and reduce the pain in these areas through a Chiropractic adjustment.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Boost Your Immune System
Chiropractic care can also help to improve overall health by boosting the immune system. The spine is closely connected to the nervous system. When the spine is out of alignment, it can negatively impact the functioning of the nervous system. This can lead to a weakened immune system, making the body more susceptible to illness and disease. By realigning the spine, chiropractors can improve the functioning of the nervous system. This can can lead to a stronger immune system and better overall health. Which is just one reason why patients continue to get adjusted; the benefits of long term chiropractic care.
Studies have shown that regular chiropractic care can increase the number of white blood cells,. White blood cells are responsible for fighting off infections and illnesses. A better immune system can lead to fewer colds and illnesses and a faster recovery time when they do occur. Additionally, the reduction in stress and improved nervous system function can have a positive impact on the immune system as well.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Improved Mental Health
In addition to the physical benefits, chiropractic care can also have a positive impact on mental health. Many people experience stress and tension in their muscles, which can lead to headaches and other symptoms of tension. Chiropractic care can alleviate many of the common symptoms of stress, including muscle tension, pain and headaches. Less of these symptoms can improve overall mental well-being.
Furthermore, research suggests that regular chiropractic care can also help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by promoting a sense of relaxation and balance in the body. This is because chiropractic care can help to regulate the nervous system, which plays a key role in mood regulation. Additionally, the natural and holistic approach of chiropractic care can also help to promote a sense of well-being and reduce feelings of stress and tension. Long-term chiropractic care can also help to maintain a sense of balance and well-being, preventing the onset of mental health issues.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Improved Digestion and Respiratory Health
Chiropractic care can also help to improve digestion and bowel regularity. The nervous system controls the digestive system, and when the spine is out of alignment, it can negatively impact the functioning of the digestive system. Regular chiropractic care can help to improve the functioning of the nervous system, which can lead to better digestion and bowel regularity.
The care provided by a Chiropractor can also help with conditions such as asthma, allergies, and sinus problems. The nervous system controls the respiratory system, and when the spine is out of alignment, it can negatively impact the functioning of the respiratory system. Regular chiropractic care can help to improve the functioning of the nervous system, which can lead to better respiratory function and less problems with asthma, allergies, and sinus problems.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: It’s Non-Invasive and Drug-Free
Finally, chiropractic care is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to healthcare. Unlike some forms of conventional medicine, which may involve surgery or medications, chiropractic care is a natural and holistic approach to healthcare. This can be especially beneficial for people who are looking for an alternative to traditional forms of healthcare or who want to avoid the side effects of medications.
In conclusion, there are many benefits of chiropractic care. It is a form of alternative medicine that can offer many benefits to people looking to improve their overall health and well-being. It can help to relieve pain, improve mobility and flexibility, boost the immune system, improve mental health, digestion and bowel regularity, respiratory function and less problems with asthma, allergies, and sinus problems. It also provides a non-invasive and drug-free approach to healthcare. If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, or simply want to have a healthier life… consider a visit to a Phoenix Chiropractor near you.
