As a Chiropractor in Rochester Hills, MI, one of the most common conditions we treat is neck pain. An estimated 20-70% of US adults will experience some type of neck pain, with women 1.5 times more likely to experience it. Up to 30% of neck pain cases become chronic (long-term) problems, which is why it’s very important to address your neck pain as quickly as possible.
Your neck supports the full weight of your head, which averages about 12 pounds. Lifestyle factors, such as poor posture and the use of electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, etc.), increase stress on the neck. In fact, for every inch forward that your neck is in front of your shoulders, it adds 10 pounds of stress to your neck. So, if your head weighs 12 pounds and is 2 inches in front of your shoulders, your head actually feels like it weighs 32 pounds! This increased stress can lead to neck pain and even wear down the neck joints over time. Compound that with any displacement side to side or any twist of the body, and the stress increases exponentially.
Neck pain primarily falls into one of two categories: acute or chronic. Acute neck pain is usually caused by some type of trauma, such as a car accident, sports injury, or fall. The pain comes on immediately at the time of the incident and is more intense and sharper. The sooner you treat your neck pain, the better and faster your results will be. If a problem like neck pain persists for more than 3 months (this type usually has a gradual onset), it is considered chronic pain. It can be more difficult to treat chronic pain because it has been there for so long, and the body is used to it. Therefore, these cases typically take more time to treat.
With neck pain, it is important to identify the cause to treat it properly. In the neck, many structures can be injured or damaged, including joints, muscles, ligaments, and discs. The condition of each of these tissues can relate to how long it takes to achieve a successful outcome. Each can cause different types of pain and discomfort unique to that particular structure. Figuring out what needs treatment is essential to fixing the problem and reducing or eliminating your neck pain.
At Balanced Living Chiropractic, we take a specific, multi-angle approach to neck pain. We offer more services and technologies for neck pain than any other Chiropractor in Rochester Hills, MI.
How Our Care Plan Works
1. I Feel Heard & Not Crazy
Many patients tell us this is the first time they’ve felt truly listened to. During your consultation and exam, we slow things down, ask the right questions, and create space for your full story—without rushing, dismissing, or minimizing your experience.
2. You Did More Than The Last 10 Doctors Combined
It’s because we slow down and look deeper. Every exam and X-ray is intentional, detailed, and designed to uncover the root cause—not just manage symptoms.
3. Wow, It Is Already Working
We use X-rays before and after treatment to measure real change. By comparing them, patients can see how their spine responds, helping to build confidence in the adjustments and in the body’s natural ability to heal.
4. I Finally Feel Normal Again
After struggling with chronic pain, headaches, or nerve issues, many patients tell us, “I finally feel normal again.” Our precise adjustments and thorough care help restore balance to the spine and nervous system, allowing the body to function the way it was meant to.
How We Treat Neck Pain In Rochester Hills, MI
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
Before we can treat your neck pain at Balanced Living Chiropractic, we must perform a detailed consultation and examination. We believe the consultation is one of the most important parts of the process, as it gives our doctors the opportunity to really listen to and understand your problems and how they have affected your life. We can also capture key bits of information about your condition that can help us find out what is causing it.
In the examination, we will perform chiropractic, orthopedic, and posture testing to help us pinpoint the cause of your neck pain. These tests help us determine whether the problem is due to a muscle, bone, nerve, or a combination of those. Pain is a body signal, or a way that your body tells you something isn’t functioning properly. When we find out what is causing it, we can help it function properly again.
Digital X-rays
This is the most important step in our office to determine how to address and adjust your neck to relieve your neck pain, etc. We take 3 distinct views to form a 3-D image of your neck, and we measure down to the thickness of your fingernail to pinpoint the problem. By looking at this closely, we can adjust you without popping, twisting, or cracking. Most of your patients say they can barely feel the adjustment happen, but can start to feel changes instantly!
Specific Chiropractic Care in Rochester Hills, MI
Many times, neck pain is due to a condition called subluxation (spinal misalignment). Subluxation occurs when a bone or section of the spine shifts out of its normal position. This causes pressure and irritation of nerves, which can lead to symptoms such as neck pain. Subluxations also affect how well your spine moves. If they are not corrected, over time they can cause joint degeneration and lead to a condition called arthritis.
As Chiropractors in Rochester Hills, MI, we perform specific adjustments to the spine without any popping, twisting, or cracking, which relieve pressure on the nerves and allow the joints to move more easily. Subluxation can be resolved through chiropractic care, but it can take time, especially for a chronic problem. By removing subluxation from the neck, proper nerve function can be restored, and symptoms such as neck pain can diminish. If the root cause of your problem is coming from a subluxation in the cervical spine (your neck), you will continue to have symptoms until it is addressed. That is why Chiropractic is so crucial to eliminating neck pain.
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)
FSM is an exciting new treatment for nerve pain, muscle pain, and many other conditions using specific frequencies and micro-amperage current. FSM also uses the resonance effects of frequencies on tissues and conditions to create beneficial changes to symptoms and health.
Microcurrent is current in millionths of an ampere (amp). Micro-amperage current is the same kind of current your body produces on its own within each cell. The current is very small. There is not enough current to stimulate sensory nerves, so the current flow cannot be felt.
Key ways FSM helps with neck pain include:
- Muscle Relaxation: It targets and softens muscles and fascia in the neck, alleviating spasms and reducing stiffness.
- Inflammation Reduction: Specific frequencies can calm inflammation in muscles and nerves, which is a major source of pain.
- Faster Healing: By increasing ATP, the energy currency of cells, FSM stimulates healing of soft tissue injuries.
- Pain Relief: The current can reduce pain signals, offering relief from chronic neck pain, acute injuries, and whiplash-related pain.
Common Causes of Neck Pain in Rochester Hills, MI
Subluxation
Subluxation is the condition that chiropractors are specially trained to identify and correct. When a bone or section of the spine in the neck shifts out of its normal position, it can cause pressure on nearby spinal nerves. This can present with symptoms such as neck pain, headaches, or even numbness and tingling in the arms or hands. Often, neck pain is treated with exercises, stretches, or medications. However, there is no exercise or drug you can take to fix subluxation. In Rochester Hills, MI, chiropractors are the only doctors trained to properly correct spinal subluxation. Chiropractic adjustments are gentle and specific, and can provide instant relief for neck pain caused by subluxation.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes narrowing of the joint space and is commonly seen in the neck. It takes a long time to develop, sometimes even decades, and is usually the long-term result of things like poor posture and lack of motion. Our joints need to move in order to stay healthy. When we don’t move our joints enough or have poor posture, the joints gradually wear down. Osteoarthritis can also cause changes in the bone called bone spurs. These can irritate nerves in the neck, leading to neck pain. Chiropractic and exercise are essential for managing osteoarthritis and slowing down its progression.
Bulged or Herniated Lumbar Discs
Between each neck vertebra is a disc, which provides support for our neck joints and allows movement. A vertebral disc contains a jelly-like substance in the middle called a nucleus, which is surrounded by rings of cartilage. Due to postural or repetitive movement stress, the cartilage can be damaged. This causes the nucleus to take the path of least resistance and push into the damaged area. When the nucleus pushes through the last layer of cartilage, the disc herniates into the space where the spinal nerves are located. This causes inflammation, which brings intense neck pain that can radiate down into the arms. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat a disc herniation, so it is important to address the problem promptly if surgery is to be avoided.
Whiplash
One of the most common injuries to result from car accidents in Rochester Hills, MI, is whiplash in the neck. When a vehicle comes to a sudden stop during impact, the neck moves back and forth sharply, damaging the neck’s muscles and ligaments. This results in neck pain and decreased neck range of motion. Whiplash must be addressed as quickly as possible, as it can easily lead to chronic neck problems down the road. It is common for patients in our office to have neck pain for years, and sometimes even decades, after car accidents. Chiropractic is an effective way to treat whiplash and restore normal neck function and movement.
Tech Neck
Tech neck is a term for postural problems caused by looking down at our electronic devices or working at a desk for too long. As technology has advanced, the problem has become more prominent. In fact, the average person is now on their phone for around 4 hours per day! Tech neck typically presents with forward head posture, which increases stress on the neck joints and muscles. Forward head posture also reduces – and, in some cases, reverses – the natural curve of the neck, which can lead to chronic neck issues. Balanced Living Chiropractic specializes in helping people improve their posture and alleviate neck pain that stems from Tech Neck.
Check Out Our Location Near You
441 S Livernois Rd #205, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chiropractor in Rochester Hills, MI, good for neck pain?
Absolutely! Chiropractic should be your first choice for neck pain. The Chiropractors at Balanced Living Chiropractic in Rochester Hills, MI, have helped thousands of people with various types of neck pain and would be happy to help you.
When should you see a chiropractor for neck pain?
The best time to see a chiropractor when you have neck pain is as quickly as possible. By the time you experience neck pain, the problem has usually been present for some time. So, it is important to address the problem now before it becomes a more serious issue later.
Is it okay to pop my own neck?
It is not recommended that you pop your own neck. Doing so can damage neck muscles and ligaments from excessive force, and can create hypermobility in the spine, meaning it moves more than it should. Chiropractors are the only doctors who are trained to specifically and gently adjust the neck to alleviate neck pain.
How should I sleep with neck pain?
The best thing you can do for neck pain while sleeping is to keep the spine in a neutral position. Sleeping on your back or side is recommended with adequate pillow support. Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended, especially if you are experiencing neck pain.
Why does my neck hurt on one side?
This type of issue usually suggests that one or more structures in that region are not moving or functioning properly due a joint restriction/misalignment which then causes nerve irritation/ Prolonged postural stress and wear and tear typical cause neck pain on one side.
