Most of the people I see at The Disc Chiropractic come in after days, weeks sometimes even years of pain. A large study tracked 187 adults with neck pain over the course of a year.
What they found speaks directly to what I see in my own clinic:
- 63% had previous episodes of neck pain
- 40% had already received treatment before the study even began
- And 63% of patients who had been in a car accident were still dealing with neck pain 12 months later
Headaches and upper neck stiffness often made the symptoms even worse.This is something I see all the time in my Wheat Ridge clinic.
People don’t ignore neck pain on purpose. They just hope it will resolve. But when it doesn’t, it begins to wear them down. Before we talk about how to treat it, let’s break down what’s really happening when your neck hurts.
What’s Really Happening When Your Neck Hurts
The neck is made up of seven bones, called the cervical vertebrae , labeled C1 through C7. Between these bones are intervertebral discs that act like cushions. They help absorb shock and allow movement.
On the back side of the spine are facet joints, which connect one vertebra to the next and help guide motion. Surrounding all of this are layers of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that provide strength and support.
The most common muscles involved in neck pain include:
- Levator scapulae, which runs from your neck to your shoulder blade
- Upper trapezius, which extends from your shoulder up to the base of your skull
- Scalenes, located along the sides of your neck
- Semispinalis capitis and suboccipitals, deep muscles that often contribute to tension and headaches
Here’s where many people get confused. Local neck pain is usually dull, achy, or tight. It may come from stiff joints or tight muscles.
While nerve-related pain, on the other hand, can feel sharp, burning, or electric. It may spread into your shoulder, arm, or even fingers.
That often means one of your cervical discs is bulging or herniated and pressing on a nerve root.
5 Common Causes of Neck Pain
These are the five causes I see most often in my clinic. Each one affects the spine in a different way and each one needs a different approach.
Tech Neck / Forward Head Posture
Forward head posture happens when your head sits too far in front of your shoulders. For every inch forward, the pressure on your neck muscles doubles.
A 2022 study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders showed a strong link between prolonged screen time and chronic neck pain, especially in people who work at computers or use handheld devices for more than 4 hours a day.
Degenerative Disc Disease
As we age, the intervertebral discs between each vertebra lose water content. This process, called disc desiccation, leads to thinning of the disc, less shock absorption, and more pressure on nearby joints and nerves.
A study in Spine Journal reported that cervical disc degeneration is present in over 90 percent of adults by age 60, even in those without major injuries.
Accidents or Past Trauma
Minor car accidents or falls can cause hidden damage: ligament strain, scar tissue in facet joints, or minor instability.
In the cohort study we looked at, 22 percent of people had pain linked to a motor vehicle accident, and those patients were five times more likely to still be experiencing neck pain at one year
Herniated Disc
When the inner gel of a disc (the nucleus pulposus) pushes through a tear in its outer layer (the annulus fibrosus), it can press on nerves.
Research shows cervical herniations are most common at C5–C6 and C6–C7, and they often cause sharp or burning pain into the arm and hand
Ostearthritis
Arthritis of the spine means wear and tear of facet joints and discs, plus bone spur formation and narrowed nerve spaces.
According to BMJ Best Practice, cervical spondylosis can affect motion, cause pain, and even lead to nerve symptoms like arm weakness or fine motor issues. Imaging shows signs of degeneration in over 85 percent of people over 60
Stretches You Can Do At Home for Neck Pain
These are the same movements I give to many of my patients. They’re safe to start with, even if your neck pain has been going on for weeks. What matters most is that you do them gently, consistently, and with good form. They’re not a replacement for treatment, but they help loosen tight muscles, improve joint motion, and retrain your posture between visits.
Chin Tucks
How to do it:
- Sit or stand tall with your shoulders relaxed.
- Look straight ahead and gently pull your chin straight back—as if you’re making a double chin.
- Don’t tilt your head up or down; the movement should be horizontal.
- Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, then relax.
- Repeat 10 times.
What it helps with:
Forward head posture, upper cervical tension, early disc irritation.
Dr. Al’s Tip:
Use a mirror or stand near a wall to make sure you’re not looking down. This is one of the smallest but most effective movements for posture control.
Upper Neck Stretch
How to do it:
- Sit on your right hand to keep your shoulder anchored.
- Gently tilt your head to the left, bringing your ear toward your shoulder.
- Use your left hand to apply light pressure on the right side of your head.
- Hold for 20–30 seconds, then switch sides.
What it helps with:
Neck stiffness, shoulder tightness, tension headaches.
Dr. Al’s Tip:
Let the stretch come from gravity and breath—not from pulling hard. Less is more here.
Levator Scapulae Stretch
Levator Scapulae Stretch
How to do it:
- Turn your head about 45 degrees toward your left armpit.
- Gently tuck your chin down.
- Use your left hand to pull the back of your head downward—like nodding diagonally.
- Hold for 20–30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
What it helps with:
Deep upper neck tightness, restricted rotation, postural overload.
Dr. Al’s Tip:
This one’s perfect first thing in the morning or after long screen sessions. Keep it light and steady.
Need a Copy for When You’re Offline ?
Download and print our Neck Pain Relief Guide for easy reference. It includes simple, chiropractor-approved stretches, expert tips, and clear steps you can follow anytime.
👉 Click here to print the guide.
How We Treat Neck Pain at The Disc Chiropractic
When you walk into my office, my goal isn’t just to make you feel better for a day. It’s to find what’s truly causing your neck pain and correct it for the long term.
From there, I build a care plan that combines proven treatments and strengthens your cervical spine. Here’s how we do it.
Chiropractic Adjustments
This is one of the most precise and studied techniques in chiropractic care. Instead of general twisting or cracking, I make specific adjustments to the exact joints that are stuck.
These adjustments help restore normal movement, reduce inflammation, and take pressure off irritated nerves. Patients often notice less neck pain and stiffness within a few visits.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
When one of your cervical discs is bulging or herniated, it can press on the nerves that run into the arms and shoulders. Spinal decompression gently stretches the spine to create negative pressure inside the disc.
This can help pull the disc material back into place and improve blood flow for healing. It’s particularly effective for patients with numbness and tingling.
Shockwave Therapy
Scar tissue, chronic muscle knots, and soft tissue adhesions often contribute to neck pain. Shockwave therapy uses high-energy acoustic waves to break up these calcified scar tissues and trigger, to improve blood circulation, and speed up your body’s natural healing process.
Soft Tissue Therapy
This therapy focuses on tight fascia and muscle bands around the neck and upper back. Using targeted vibration, we can release areas of tension that often trigger headaches or restrict movement.
It’s gentle, effective, and pairs well with chiropractic adjustments.
Therapeutic Exercises
Lasting relief requires stability. I teach patients specific exercises to build strength in the deep neck flexors, improve posture, and support proper spinal mechanics. These exercises are designed to prevent flare-ups and keep your progress going long after you leave the office.
Final Thoughts
Neck pain caused by joint restrictions, disc problems, or nerve irritation rarely improves on its own. It takes the right approach, one that corrects the underlying problem instead of masking it.
At The Disc Chiropractic in Wheat Ridge, we focus on proven, non-invasive methods. No quick fixes. No guessing. Just targeted care built to last.
Book Your $97 First Visit or Call: 720-573-4910 to get started and save on your first consultation.
FAQs About Neck Pain
How long does it take to feel relief?
Most people begin to notice improvements within 2 to 4 weeks of regular care. Clinical guidelines often recommend 2 to 3 sessions per week during this period to see meaningful changes.
Can mild neck issues resolve quickly?
Yes. If your pain is due to simple muscle tension or joint stiffness, you may feel better within just a few sessions. Some patients report noticeable relief after the first or second visit.
Do chronic or nerve-related problems take longer?
They do. Disc issues, long-standing pain, or nerve root irritation usually require several weeks to months of structured care. More than half of patients with nerve-related pain see improvements after about 4 weeks.
What is the typical care plan length?
For moderate neck pain, research suggests that around 12 visits over a 6-week period, with 2 to 3 visits per week, often leads to significant improvement.