Beyond the "Crick" in Your Neck
You know that feeling when you wake up and can't turn your head to check your blind spot? Or when you've been staring at your computer screen all day and your neck feels like a steel rod? Neck pain isn't just annoying, it can completely derail your day.
Here in Jacksonville, we see it all the time. Between our busy traffic (I-95 at rush hour, anyone?), desk jobs, and the occasional fender bender, neck pain is one of the most common reasons our neighbors walk through our doors at Ortega Chiropractic Clinic.
The good news? Most neck pain responds really well to conservative treatment. You don't need to live with it, and you definitely don't need surgery to feel better.
Why Does Your Neck Hurt Anyway?
Let's be honest: your neck has a tough job. It's holding up your head (which weighs about 10-12 pounds) while allowing you to look in every direction. Add in poor posture, stress, long commutes, and the occasional whiplash injury from a car accident, and it's no wonder your neck is screaming for help.
The most common culprits we see:
• Whiplash from auto accidents - Even minor fender benders on Beach Boulevard or San Jose can cause significant neck strain
• Poor posture - That forward head position while texting or working at your computer
• Muscle strain - Sleeping wrong, carrying heavy bags, or just general stress and tension
• Degenerative changes - Arthritis and disc issues that develop over time
• Pinched nerves - When something compresses the nerves in your neck, causing pain that radiates down your arm
The tricky thing about neck pain is that it rarely stays isolated to just your neck. You might also experience headaches, shoulder pain, arm numbness, or even difficulty concentrating.
What Makes Whiplash So Complicated?
Living in Jacksonville means dealing with traffic. A lot of traffic. And unfortunately, that means car accidents are common: especially rear-end collisions that cause whiplash injuries.
Here's what makes whiplash tricky: The symptoms often don't show up right away. You might feel fine immediately after the accident, only to wake up the next day (or even a few days later) feeling like you can't move your neck.Whiplash happens when your head snaps forward and backward rapidly, straining the muscles, ligaments, and joints in your neck. But it can also cause:
• Disc injuries
• Nerve irritation
• Muscle spasms that last for weeks
• Headaches that start at the base of your skull
• Dizziness and balance problems
This is why we always recommend getting checked out after an auto accident, even if you feel okay initially. The sooner we can evaluate your neck and start treatment, the better your outcome.
Our Team Approach to Neck Pain
At Ortega Chiropractic Clinic, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all treatment. Your neck pain is unique to you, so your treatment plan should be too.
Dr. Read leads our chiropractic care, using gentle adjustments to restore proper alignment and mobility to your cervical spine. But chiropractic adjustments are just one piece of the puzzle.
For many of our neighbors dealing with neck pain, we combine:
Chiropractic Adjustments - To improve joint mobility and reduce nerve irritation. Dr. Read uses precise, controlled movements to restore normal function to the joints in your neck. These adjustments help reduce pain, improve range of motion, and allow your body to heal naturally.
Physical Therapy - Our physical therapy team develops targeted exercise programs to strengthen the muscles that support your neck, improve your posture, and prevent future injuries. They'll also use hands-on techniques to reduce muscle tension and stiffness.
Neurological Evaluation when needed - If you're dealing with more complex symptoms like persistent headaches, dizziness, or cognitive issues after a car accident, Dr. Mirabelli provides neurological evaluation and treatment. This is especially important for patients who may have sustained a concussion or traumatic brain injury along with their neck injury.
This team approach means you don't have to go to multiple clinics to get comprehensive care. We coordinate everything under one roof, which saves you time and gets you better results.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Are you wondering what actually happens when you come in with neck pain? Let's walk through it.
First, we listen. We want to know when your pain started, what makes it better or worse, and how it's affecting your daily life. Did it start after a car accident? Has it been gradually getting worse over months? Does it hurt more in the morning or after a long day at work?Then we examine.
Dr. Read will evaluate your neck's range of motion, check for areas of tenderness and muscle spasm, test your reflexes and nerve function, and assess your posture and spinal alignment.
We might take X-rays if needed to see what's happening with the bones and joints in your neck. We have digital X-ray equipment right here in our clinic, so you don't need to go anywhere else.
Finally, we create your treatment plan. This might include chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy exercises, posture correction strategies, and recommendations for managing pain at home.
The goal is always the same: Get you out of pain and back to your normal activities as quickly as possible.
Why Conservative Treatment Works
You might be wondering if chiropractic care and physical therapy can really help your neck pain, especially if you've been dealing with it for a while.
The research is clear: Conservative treatment is highly effective for most types of neck pain. Infact, studies show that chiropractic adjustments combined with exercise therapy provide excellent outcomes for both acute and chronic neck pain.
Here's why this approach works:
It addresses the root cause - We're not just masking your symptoms with medication. We're correcting the underlying mechanical problems that are causing your pain.
It's safe - Chiropractic care for neck pain has an excellent safety record when performed by trained professionals like Dr. Read.
It's active, not passive - You're not just lying on a table while we "fix" you. We teach you exercises and strategies to take control of your recovery.
It prevents future problems - By improving your posture, strengthening supporting muscles, and restoring normal joint function, we help prevent your neck pain from coming back.
When Should You Come In?
Here's a question we get all the time: "Should I wait and see if my neck pain gets better on its own?"
Sometimes minor neck stiffness does resolve on its own with rest and home care. But you should definitely come see us if:
• Your neck pain started after a car accident
• The pain is severe or getting worse
• You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or hands
• You're experiencing headaches along with your neck pain• Your pain isn't improving after a few days of home care
• The pain is affecting your sleep or ability to work
Don't wait until a minor problem becomes a major one. We offer same-day appointments because we know neck pain doesn't follow a schedule. When you're hurting, you need help now: not two weeks from now.
No Referral Needed, No Games
One thing that frustrates us about the healthcare system is all the hoops patients have to jump through. Referrals. Waiting lists. Phone tag.
That's not how we operate.
You don't need a referral to see us. You can call us directly and schedule an appointment. We answer our phones. We return messages promptly. We treat you like a neighbor, not a number.
Our Jacksonville neighbors deserve better than being shuffled around the healthcare system when they're in pain. It's simple: If your neck hurts, call us at (904) 389-3323. We'll get you in quickly, figure out what's wrong, and start treatment right away.
Living Life Without Neck Pain
Imagine being able to check your blind spot without wincing. Sitting through a work meeting without constantly adjusting your position. Sleeping through the night without waking up in pain. Playing with your kids or grandkids without limitations.
That's what we want for you.
Neck pain doesn't have to be your new normal. With the right evaluation and treatment plan, most of our patients see significant improvement within a few weeks. Some feel better after just a few visits.
The key is getting started. The longer you wait, the more chronic your pain can become: and chronic pain is always harder to treat than acute pain.
Ready to Feel Better?
If you're dealing with neck pain in Jacksonville, we're here to help. Whether it's from an auto accident, poor posture, or you just "slept wrong," our team has the expertise and experience to get you back to feeling like yourself.
Call Ortega Chiropractic Clinic today at (904) 425-4545 to schedule your evaluation with Dr. Read. Want to keep it simple? Just call and ask to contact Dr. Read directly.
You can also visit us at https://www.ortegachiropractic.com to learn more about our team and services.
Your neck pain has a solution. Let's find it together
Address:
Ortega Chiropractic Clinic 5367 Ortega Boulevard Jacksonvile,FL 32210
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