The capabilities of the cervical spine are incredible – with the best mobility of any part of the spine. Regardless how you move your neck, the cervical spine can support a head of 15 pounds or more. The range of motion and sophistication of the neck allow it greater functional complexity but also make it likelier that you become injured and/or develop chronic pain.
At any one time, 1 or 2 out of every 10 people suffer from neck pain that disrupts day-to-day activities. Even more, 2 to 7 out of every 10, will experience neck pain at some time during their lives (with those ranges due to the findings of different analyses).
When you need to find neck pain relief in Bakersfield, you can benefit from various treatments, some of them simple at-home techniques.
Treatment #1 – Water
At birth, approximately 80% of every spinal disc is composed of water. The reason there is so much water is that it is helping to remove stress from the spine by keeping it properly aligned and keeping the discs at the correct height. Since water is so fundamental, you can alleviate neck pain and avoid disc breakdown by making sure that you get strong hydration on a daily basis.
To improve water consumption for neck pain relief in Bakersfield, you may try drinking water prior to tooth-brushing and/or getting a 1-liter refillable bottle to carry with you.
Treatment #2 – Support while you sleep
To assist with maintenance of neck alignment during sleep, try using a cervical collar – but avoid its use during the day to keep up the strength of your neck muscles. You can also try simply putting a small pillow beneath your neck and another pillow or two beneath your knees.
Treatment #3 – Heat
Try a warm shower or bath, hot towel, heating pad, or electric blanket. Those looking for non-surgical neck pain treatments in Bakersfield will often find it is effective to apply heat for just 10 to 15 minutes a few times during the day.
Treatment #4 – Spinal decompression
This method stretches the spine, allowing for nutrients and oxygen to flow in and heal the discs. Spinal decompression helps lessen pins-and-needles sensations and lack of feeling in the limbs. It also assists in hydration of the discs (see above) and can reduce stress on the nerves within the spine that may result from disc bulging or herniation.
Treatment #5 – Chiropractic care
This field of treatment is focused on helping alleviate pressure within the spine and assisting the body in self-healing. It also is focused on pain mitigation and maintaining natural alignment.
Non-surgical Neck Pain Treatments in Bakersfield
Are you looking for a medical pain specialist or chiropractor in Bakersfield? At Envista Medical, we provide chiropractic care, spinal decompression, and various other methods to create a personalized neck pain treatment plan just for you.