Neck Pain and Neck Stiffness Treatment in Metrotown

• Symptoms of Neck Pain
• Causes of Neck Pain
• When to See Dr.Kaila, DC
• Neck Pain Treatments

For neck pain treatment in Metrotown, Burnaby, Central Park Chiropractic & Massage offers assessment and individualized care for people experiencing neck pain, stiffness, muscle tension, headaches, and restricted neck movement.

Neck pain can develop gradually from everyday activities such as prolonged computer work, poor posture, or sleeping in an awkward position. It can also result from an injury, including whiplash following a motor vehicle accident..

Conveniently located at 3977 Kingsway in Burnaby, near Metrotown, our clinic welcomes patients from Metrotown, Brentwood, Joyce-Collingwood, and surrounding communities. Dr. Kaila, DC takes the time to understand your symptoms, assess contributing factors, and discuss appropriate treatment options.

If neck pain is interfering with your work, sleep, or everyday activities, call 604-439-1230 or book an appointment with Dr. Kaila, DC.

Common Symptoms of Neck Pain and Stiffness

Experiencing neck pain can range from a mild discomfort that barely interferes with daily activities to a severe, disabling condition. In more intense cases, neck pain might appear suddenly, with sharp, acute sensations that are difficult to ignore. This discomfort may be temporary, lasting just a few days or weeks, or it could linger, turning into a chronic issue.

Common symptoms of neck pain include:

• Stiff Neck: Many people describe neck pain as a sensation of stiffness, as though their neck feels “stuck” or tight. This stiffness can worsen when holding the head in a fixed position for extended periods, such as when driving or working on a computer. It often leads to a limited range of motion.
• Sharp, Localized Pain: Neck pain can also manifest as sharp or “stabbing” pain focused on one specific area, which may feel intense and uncomfortable.
• Pain During Movement: Movement can worsen neck pain, especially when twisting, turning, or bending the cervical spine. Actions like moving your head from side to side or up and down can intensify discomfort.
• Radiating Pain or Numbness: Neck pain can radiate to the head, torso, shoulders, and arms. When neck pain is due to nerve compression, you may experience numbness, tingling, or even weakness in one or both arms or hands. Pain from a pinched nerve might feel like a burning or sharp sensation that originates in the neck and extends down the arm.
• Headache: Neck pain often contributes to headaches, known as cervicogenic headaches. Sometimes, neck pain with a headache can also be a symptom of migraines.
• Pain with Pressure: Pain may increase when you touch, press, or palpate the neck, whether by self-examination or during a physical assessment by a doctor.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain and stiffness can arise from various medical conditions, physical changes associated with aging, or strain from everyday activities. Given that the neck supports the head—an average weight of about 11 pounds—it’s susceptible to injuries and strains that may restrict motion and cause discomfort. Neck pain can develop suddenly or gradually over time.

Injury

The neck is highly vulnerable to injuries from falls, car accidents, or sports activities, where it may be forced outside its normal range of motion. Such trauma can strain or damage the neck’s muscles, ligaments, disks, vertebral joints, and nerve roots, often resulting in neck pain. Rear-end car accidents can cause the head to snap backward and then forward, straining soft neck tissues—a condition known as whiplash. Whiplash can lead to long-lasting discomfort if left untreated.

Muscle Tension and Strain

Everyday habits can cause neck strain and tension, including:

• Poor posture, especially during prolonged desk work
• Holding the same position for too long without breaks
• Sleeping with improper neck support
• Sudden jerking movements during physical activities
• Repetitive motion or carrying a heavy shoulder bag

Heart Attack

• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain in the arm or jaw

If you experience neck pain with any of these symptoms, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately.

Meningitis

Meningitis, the inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord, may cause symptoms like:

• Stiff neck
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Fever

Meningitis is a serious, potentially fatal condition. Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience these symptoms.

Additional Causes

Several other conditions can contribute to neck pain, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Causes swelling and pain in the joints, which can extend to the neck.
• Osteoporosis: Weakens bones, making small fractures more likely, including in the neck.
• Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition causing widespread muscle pain, particularly in the neck and shoulder areas.
• Disc degeneration: Aging can lead to cervical disc degeneration, or spondylosis, which narrows the space between vertebrae and places stress on joints.
• Herniated disc: A slipped or ruptured disc can press on spinal nerves, causing intense pain and discomfort.
• Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal column, often due to arthritis, can increase pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
• Mental stress: Persistent stress can lead to unintentional neck muscle tension, resulting in pain and stiffness.

Rare Causes

In some cases, neck stiffness or pain may be due to more uncommon factors, such as:

• Congenital abnormalities
• Infections or abs
• Cesses
• Tumors
• Cancer affecting the spine

When Should You See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain?

If you’ve been dealing with neck pain for more than a week, it’s time to have Dr. Kaila, DC thoroughly examine your neck and assess your condition. Early evaluation can help prevent your symptoms from progressing. You should also seek medical attention promptly if you experience any of the following:

• Severe, unexplained neck pain
• Persistent headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling
• Pain radiating down your arms or legs
• Inability to move your arms or hands fully
• Inability to touch your chin to your chest
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Neck Pain Assessment and Diagnosis

When diagnosing neck pain, Dr. Kaila, DC will begin with a comprehensive medical history and a physical exam. During the examination, Dr. Kaila, DC will check for signs of tenderness, numbness, and muscle weakness. Range of motion tests will assess how far you can comfortably move your head forward, backward, and side-to-side.

Additionally, Dr. Kaila, DC may ask specific questions to better understand your symptoms, such as:

• When did the pain begin?
• Have you recently sustained an injury?
• Are you experiencing numbness or weakness in your arms or hands?
• Does the pain worsen with activities like coughing or sneezing?

If your neck pain is persistent, severe, or accompanied by symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms and legs, don’t wait. Call our Burnaby office at 604‑439‑1230 or schedule an appointment online. Immediate evaluation is essential, especially if pain results from an accident, fall, or if it continues to worsen despite treatment.

Advanced Imaging and Diagnostic Tests

For a clearer picture of the cause behind your neck pain, Dr. Kaila, DC may recommend imaging tests or other diagnostic procedures.

Imaging Tests

• X-rays: These images help reveal if neck nerves or the spinal cord may be compressed due to bone spurs or other structural changes.
• CT Scan: CT scans produce detailed cross-sectional images from multiple X-ray views, allowing for a thorough examination of the neck’s internal structures.
• MRI: Using radio waves and magnetic fields, MRI captures highly detailed images of the neck’s bones, spinal cord, nerves, and disks. MRIs are particularly useful in identifying soft tissue issues.

It’s worth noting that some structural issues visible on X-rays or MRIs may not cause symptoms. That’s why imaging is most effective when combined with a careful physical exam and medical history to pinpoint the exact cause of pain.

Additional Tests

• Electromyography (EMG): An EMG test is valuable for identifying whether neck pain may be due to a pinched nerve. The procedure involves inserting tiny needles into specific muscles, measuring the speed and efficiency of nerve conduction.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests can detect inflammation or infections that might be underlying causes of neck pain, providing additional insight into any potential systemic factors.

Neck Pain Treatment in Metrotown, Brentwood and Joyce-Collingwood

Neck pain and stiffness can affect people of all ages and activity levels. Whether your discomfort is related to prolonged desk work, everyday muscle strain, an old injury, or a recent accident, understanding its underlying cause is an important first step.

At Central Park Chiropractic & Massage, we provide chiropractic care and massage therapy in Burnaby for patients experiencing neck pain and restricted mobility.

Our clinic is conveniently located on Kingsway, near Metrotown Shopping Centre, making it accessible to residents of Metrotown, Brentwood, and the Joyce-Collingwood neighbourhood.

During your visit, Dr. Kaila, DC will assess your symptoms, discuss your health history, and determine whether chiropractic care or other treatment approaches may be appropriate for your condition.

Our goal is to help you better understand your neck pain and find a treatment approach suited to your individual needs.

Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain Relief

Chiropractic care may help people experiencing neck pain, muscle tension, and restricted movement. Treatment begins with understanding what is contributing to your symptoms rather than simply focusing on the painful area.

Depending on your condition and assessment findings, Dr. Kaila, DC may recommend a combination of chiropractic techniques, manual therapy, massage therapy, and appropriate exercises.

Treatment is individualized. The techniques used will depend on your symptoms, health history, and comfort level.

For patients experiencing persistent neck stiffness or recurring discomfort, the goal is to improve mobility, manage pain, and help restore the ability to carry out everyday activities.

Holistic and Noninvasive Treatment

Chiropractic treatments use a blend of gentle therapies designed to naturally relieve pain and restore function without the need for drugs or surgery. Among these, the chiropractic adjustment stands out as the essential component of effective neck pain relief. Through careful adjustments, Dr. Kaila, DC can realign the spine to address the core issues underlying neck pain, restoring mobility and reducing pain at its source.

Addressing Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain often stems from two main sources:

1. Acute Injuries: Events like whiplash can alter the structural alignment of the neck and cause soft tissue damage, resulting in persistent pain.
2. Chronic Strain: Prolonged poor posture or repetitive strain can cause stress on the neck and spinal structures, leading to misalignment and ongoing discomfort.

In both cases, the vertebrae may become misaligned, causing joints to move improperly and increasing strain on muscles and nerves. Chiropractic adjustments work to correct these misalignments and restore natural movement, providing a targeted approach that helps prevent further damage.

Looking for Neck Pain Treatment in Burnaby?

If you are experiencing persistent neck pain, stiffness, or discomfort that affects your daily activities, Central Park Chiropractic & Massage is here to help you explore your treatment options.

Located at 3977 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, our clinic serves patients from Metrotown, Brentwood, Joyce-Collingwood, and neighbouring communities.

Contact our office at 604-439-1230 or book an appointment with Dr. Kaila,DC to discuss your neck pain and arrange an assessment.

Central Park Chiropractic & Massage

3977 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 1Y7

Phone: 604-439-1230