Chiropractor for Neck Pain in Kingsport, TN
Go to the ER or call 911 if neck pain comes with a sudden, severe headache unlike any you've had, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, weakness or numbness in the face, arms or legs, loss of balance, fever with a stiff neck, or severe pain after a fall or crash.
What causes neck pain?
- •Posture and screens: long stretches looking down at a phone or forward at a monitor
- •Sleep: a pillow that's too high or flat, or sleeping on your stomach
- •Strain: lifting, carrying, or overhead work
- •Sports: collisions, tackling, wrestling, and throwing
- •Whiplash: a sudden back-and-forth movement in a car accident or fall (auto accident care)
- •Age-related changes in the joints and discs, which are common and often painless but can make the neck stiffer
Neck pain that travels into the arm, or comes with numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand, can mean an irritated nerve root. That gets a closer nerve exam; see pinched nerve. Neck problems are also a common source of headaches and of pain that feels like it's coming from the shoulder.
Neck pain after a car accident or a hit
After whiplash or a collision in sports, pain and stiffness often build over the first day or two. Get checked even if you feel fine at the scene. Dr. Douglas screens for injuries that need imaging or medical care first, and suspected concussions are referred to a physician. More on auto accident injuries.
How chiropractic care may help neck pain
- •Chiropractic adjustments or gentle mobilization to restore movement in stiff neck and upper back joints
- •Soft tissue work, including instrument-assisted techniques and dry needling for tight upper trap and neck muscles
- •Neck and upper back exercises to build endurance in the deep neck muscles (corrective exercise)
- •Workstation, phone and pillow changes that take load off the neck day to day
The benefits are real but usually modest, and they come faster when hands-on care is paired with exercise. Recent neck pain often settles with a short course of care; you won't be put on an open-ended schedule.
What to expect at Elevate Sport and Spine
Your first visit runs 30 to 45 minutes. Dr. Douglas asks about your symptoms and health history, then checks neck motion, posture, strength, reflexes and sensation, plus a screening for the rare conditions that make neck manipulation unsafe. X-rays are taken on site only when needed. You leave with a plan and a short home routine. If an adjustment isn't a good fit, there are gentler options such as Activator or mobilization. More on your first visit.
Is chiropractic care safe for neck pain?
Mild soreness or stiffness for a day or two is the most common side effect. Serious complications after neck manipulation are rare, but they have been reported, which is why screening comes first and why you should always mention symptoms like sudden severe headache, dizziness or vision changes. If you prefer not to have your neck adjusted, say so: gentler techniques work well for many people.
Neck pain care in Kingsport
We see office workers, truck drivers, students, nurses on long shifts and athletes. Because Dr. Douglas is also a Certified Athletic Trainer, he looks at the upper back, shoulder blades and how you use your arms, not just the neck, so the plan addresses the load that started the problem.
Common Questions
Clinical Sources & Guidelines
- Côté P, Wong JJ, Sutton D, et al. Management of neck pain and associated disorders: A clinical practice guideline from the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. European Spine Journal. 2016;25(7):2000-2022.
Ready to be seen?
Call 423-239-9122 or book online. We don't take walk-ins, but most new patients are seen within a week, and we check your insurance benefits before your first visit.