Neck pain, whether mild or severe, has struck most people at one time or another. Most people have suffered a pain in the neck, but the causes and remedies vary from person to person.

Most instances of neck pain are simply minor reactions to an awkward neck position, caused when a person works, sleeps, reads a book, talks on the phone, etc., and can be cleared up after a period of rest and neck readjustment. These are common, easily solved types of neck pain that generally do not require medical attention.

Recurring neck pain could be more serious, as it could be a symptom of disease, an injury (such as whiplash in an auto accident), a congenital malformation, or progressive degeneration that comes with age. Only a physician can diagnose and treat this category of neck pain; if your neck pain keeps coming back, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Now we take a look at the anatomy of back pain. The human head is "balanced" atop the spinal column; if the muscles supporting the head are weak or in poor condition, you could be subject to neck strain or injuries.

Older people may suffer from a condition known as osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease or DJD), characterized by a neck pain that worsens over time, and spreads through the back and neck, shoulders and arms; the person also may experience numbness or tingling in hands and fingers.

Other symptoms including headaches, dizziness, as well as a grating/grinding feeling that accompanies head movement. It is the aim of the chiropractic specialist to relieve neck pain and stiffness, as well as restore the mobility and range of motion of any frozen neck vertebrae.

Your chiropractor can determine if you have a minor or serious underlying condition (from disease, degeneration, or trauma); to do so, he/she will request detailed information regarding your behavior, posture, physical condition, work and home environment.

In some cases, if needed, X-rays and other diagnostic imaging will determine the causes of neck pain; once the diagnosis and therapy have been completed, the chiropractor will work to keep your muscles and joints in top working order. As with most health conditions, an early, thorough response to neck pain can bring about its timely and thorough resolution. If rest and improved posture do not resolve the problem, see a doctor and find out what is causing the pain in your neck.