Neck, shoulder and arm condition · Canton, OH
Neck pain treatment in Canton, OH
Neck pain is pain, stiffness or muscle tightness in the cervical spine, and it can sometimes travel into the shoulders, arms or hands. At Belden Village Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Canton, OH, we start with a full exam to find whether the joints, discs or muscles are involved, then walk you through non-surgical care options.
Reviewed by Dr. Brent Ungar, DC · Last reviewed [date]
- 40+ years in practice
- Non-surgical care
- Massage therapy on site
Neck pain at a glance
| Also called | Cervical pain, stiff neck, neck strain |
|---|---|
| Body area | Neck and upper back, sometimes the shoulders, arms, hands or head |
| Structures involved | Seven cervical vertebrae and their joints, discs, muscles and nerves to the arms |
| Common symptoms | Stiffness, aching or sharp pain, muscle spasm, headaches, pain or tingling into the arm |
| Common causes | Joint dysfunction, disc problems, muscle strain or spasm, posture and screen time, injuries such as whiplash |
| How we evaluate | Health history, neck and neurological exam, posture and movement assessment, imaging if needed |
| Care options | Chiropractic adjustments, cervical spinal decompression, physical rehabilitation, massage therapy |
| Referral needed? | [confirm with practice] |
What is neck pain?
Neck pain is pain in the cervical spine, the seven vertebrae between the skull and the shoulders. It can come from the joints between the vertebrae, the discs that cushion them, or the muscles that hold up and move the head, and it ranges from mild stiffness to pain that limits daily life.
The vertebrae protect the spinal cord, and discs between them act as shock absorbers. Nerves leave the neck and travel into the shoulders, arms and hands, which is why neck problems can cause arm symptoms.
Because several structures can be involved at once, care starts with a full exam to find the source.
Neck pain symptoms and causes
What does neck pain feel like?
Neck pain can be a dull ache, a sharp pain or a stiff neck that is hard to turn.
- Stiffness and trouble turning or tilting your head
- Aching or sharp pain in the neck or between the shoulder blades
- Muscle tightness or spasm
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Pain, numbness or tingling into the shoulder, arm or hand
- Weakness in the arm or hand, or trouble gripping
What causes neck pain?
Neck pain often comes from daily strain, though injuries play a role too.
- Neck joints that are stiff or not moving well after stress, overuse or injury
- Disc problems, such as a bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve
- Tight muscles or spasm, often as the body protects an injured area
- Long hours at a screen or desk with the head forward
- Sleeping in an awkward position
- Injuries such as whiplash from a car accident
- Risk factors: desk work, poor posture, stress, a past neck injury
Which neck problem is it?
Different neck problems can feel alike, and more than one can happen at the same time. Your exam helps sort out the cause.
| Feature | Muscle strain or spasm | Pinched nerve or disc problem | Neck-related headache |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it hurts | Neck and upper back muscles, often on one or both sides | Neck, traveling into the shoulder, arm or hand on one side | Neck and back of the head, sometimes behind the eye |
| Other signs | Tight, tender muscles; no numbness or tingling | Numbness, tingling or weakness in the arm or hand | Headache that starts in the neck; stiffness |
| Often worse with | Long sitting, screen time and stress | Tilting the head back or toward the sore side | Certain head positions and long desk work |
Get emergency care right away if
- Neck pain started after a fall, car crash or blow to the head
- You have new weakness, numbness or clumsiness in your arms or legs, or trouble walking
- You have a stiff neck with fever, a severe headache or sensitivity to light
- You have chest pain, shortness of breath or pain spreading to the jaw or left arm
- You have sudden dizziness, trouble speaking, vision changes or a sudden severe headache
- You lose control of your bladder or bowels
What to expect at our Canton office
Our typical process involves:
- Obtaining a thorough history of the problem and health history of the patient
- Performing a complete examination of the patient
- Obtaining any diagnostic tests (if necessary) to better understand the problem
- Discussing the diagnosis with you
- Reviewing the findings and treatment options with you
Every case is different and results vary.
Your first visit for neck pain
Before
Wear comfortable clothes. Bring any imaging reports and a list of medications.
During
We ask how the pain started and what makes it worse, then check your neck movement, posture, reflexes, strength and sensation in your arms.
After
We explain what we found and the options that fit, so you can decide how to move forward.
Neck pain care options in Canton
Every care plan depends on your exam. Options your provider may recommend include:
- Chiropractic adjustments Gentle, targeted care to improve how the neck and upper back move.
- Cervical spinal decompression Slow, computer-guided stretch of the neck that may ease pressure on discs and nerves.
- Physical rehabilitation Exercises to strengthen the neck and upper back, plus posture training.
- Massage therapy Hands-on work to relax tight neck and shoulder muscles.
If conservative care is not enough, your provider can talk with you about other options, such as injections or a surgical consult, and coordinate with your physician.
Stiff, sore neck that keeps coming back?
Your neck pain care team
Dr. Brent Ungar, DC
Chiropractic Physician | Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician | Laser Therapy Educator
Dr. Anthony Gatelaro, DC
Chiropractic Physician | Over 30 Years of Experience
Neck pain questions we hear in Canton
Chiropractic care is a common conservative option for neck pain. We review your history and exam first, use gentle techniques suited to the neck, and refer you to a physician if we find signs that need other care.
For most people, chiropractic care of the neck is a common, low-risk option. We screen your history and exam for warning signs first and adjust our approach, including gentler techniques, to fit you.
Nerves leave the neck and travel into the shoulder, arm and hand. When a disc or joint irritates one of these nerves, pain, tingling or numbness can travel down the arm. This is often called a pinched nerve.
Yes. Problems in the upper neck can cause headaches that start at the base of the skull and spread forward. These are called cervicogenic headaches.
[Confirm referral wording with practice] Imaging is ordered only if your exam shows it is needed, such as after an injury or when nerve symptoms are present.
Belden Village Chiropractic and Wellness Center treats neck pain at 4200 Munson Street NW, Suite B, in Canton, near North Canton, Massillon and the Belden Village area.
Visit our Canton office
- Address
- 4200 Munson Street NW, Suite B, Canton, OH 44718
- Phone
- 330-493-0009
- Hours
- Mon–Thu: Dr. Ungar 7:45 a.m.–6 p.m.
Mon–Thu: Dr. Gatelaro 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Fri–Sun: Closed - Parking
- [parking and entrance notes]
Patients visit us from Canton, North Canton and across Stark County.
Find out what is behind your neck pain
Start with a full exam and a clear talk about your options. Call 330-493-0009 or send a request.