ADLER COMPREHENSIVE CHIROPRACTIC, LLC
100 YEAR LIFESTYLE CHIROPRACTOR ROSWELL GA

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Neck and Shoulder Pain

Neck and shoulder pain are a daily annoyance that so many people suffer with..  but first a quick lesson in mythology!  According to the Ancient Greeks, Atlas led a rebellion against the god Zeus, and as punishment, was forced to literally hold the world on his neck and shoulders. He is also the namesake for the top-most vertebrae in your spine. C1, or Atlas as it is also known.

While you may not have that hard a job, your neck and shoulders are under a tremendous amount of stress and pressure. Your neck is responsible for holding up your head and brain, allowing you all sorts of ranges of motion so you can see your surroundings, it is the attachment site for large muscles and the upper extremities, not to mention countless other things that can all lead to pain and discomfort. And we rarely do it any favors.

“Think about the way you sleep. The way you lay on the couch. The way you hunch over to text with the phone in your lap…” says Dr. David Adler.  “A few pills for the pain is only masking the problem.”

In addition to physical activities, your neck and shoulders contain a tremendous amount of the nerves in the body. Physical and emotional stress can weigh on you. Poor posture can have an effect. The current epidemic of “Text Neck” is just starting to reveal itself. And most people just disregard it and go on with their day, accepting that pain.

In some cases, Dr. Adler may need to order special tests, like an MRI or CT.  When these cases do arise, he has working relationships with his medical colleagues, and often co-manages these cases with them.

At Adler Comprehensive Chiropractic, Dr. David Adler is accepting new patients with neck and shoulder pain in Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, Johns Creek, Cumming and all of North Fulton County, Georgia.  Click here to make an appointment today.

Neck & Shoulder Pain Q & A

by David N. Adler, DC

Before we can answer any questions about neck and shoulder pain, there are some terms you need to know. Dr. Adler specializes in the detection and correction of the “Vertebral Subluxation Complex.” Vertebral subluxation is a condition where spinal vertebrae are not in the correct alignment and create changes in the ability of the nervous system to communicate with the rest of the body clearly both from the brain to the body and the body back to the brain. This causes a less than optimal function and adaptability of the body.

It’s very common to get neck and shoulder pain when there’s too much pressure on the nerves in the upper spine. Subluxation of the upper vertebrae – the cervical region – is often the cause of localized pain in the region, or even radiating pain all over the body. You could also be experiencing stiffness and discomfort in these areas if you have arthritis, or another condition that causes joint inflammation. There may be an old injury that has slowly been affecting your neck and/or shoulders, too. An old car accident. A violent sports hit. A slip and fall.

Pain is itself a symptom for Dr. Adler to use in identifying and correcting your particular problem. Most people will seek our help when the pain in the neck or shoulder is a sharp sensation, that gets worse when you turn your head or lift your arm. This happens if your movements irritate the nerves in the area. You might also have a duller, less severe pain, but persists over an extended period of time. Sometimes the pain comes on after staying in the same position for too long, which can strain the muscles of your neck and upper back. Other patients come in unable to sleep at night.

Whatever it is that you’re dealing with, Dr. Adler has seen it in his 28 years of experience. And he will take all your symptoms into consideration, while evaluating you to determine the underlying cause of your neck or shoulder pain.

“Text Neck” refers to the pain and discomfort you experience in your neck and head from keeping your head bent while texting or looking at your phone, or other handheld devices. When you keep your head in this position for long periods of time or on a frequent basis, it can affect the upper part of your spine and irritate the nerves in your neck and head. We see changes in posture over time, as well. The slouched, forward shoulders and jutting chin.

Dr. Adler eases this discomfort and prevents it from coming back by correcting spinal subluxations in your upper spine.

Keep in mind that Dr. Adler makes adjustments to your treatment plan as you go through the healing process and your body improves.

Dr. Adler performs chiropractic adjustments that correct misalignments in your upper spine. He is also an advanced extremity adjuster, meaning he can – and will – adjust the joints in your shoulders, clavicles and elbows, if they need to be. Putting things “back into place” helps relieve stress and tension on nerves, which will often ease your pain and lower the risk of it recurring. Dr. Adler will also show you exercises and stretches that help your body heal itself naturally.