Neck pain can interfere with your daily routine, making movement difficult and reducing your range of motion. Decreased movement can affect your productivity and restrict your freedom to perform productive tasks at work or in your social life. 

While neck pain is common, it doesn’t have to be part of your daily life. The right diagnosis and treatment can help you find relief.  Neck pain can take different forms: acute, come and go, sharp, or even chronic. Your pain may come from nerve damage, a ligament injury, a muscle spasm, or your facet joints. 

Our experienced and highly qualified chiropractors at Homberg Chiropractic are here to help you find relief from your neck pain.

At Homberg Chiropractic in Knoxville, we specialize in diagnosing and treating various types of neck pain. Struggling with neck pain? Let us help. Our expert chiropractors will create a personalized treatment plan to help relieve your pain. 

We’ll understand how your neck pain may impact your daily life, work with you to locate the source, and find nonsurgical solutions to help manage and treat it. 

Types of Neck Pain

Connecting you to the right treatment for your neck pain depends on your symptoms and causes. Here are common types of neck pain and their typical symptoms: 

Nerve neck pain

This type of pain occurs if a bulging or slipped disc presses your nerve, which can result from an injury or an age-related condition.

Symptoms of nerve neck pain can range from experiencing:

• Numbness or tingling in your arms or hands 

• Weakness in muscles in your arm or hand 

• Sharp or burning pain radiating outwards from your neck

• Pain that starts in your neck and travels down your arm

Muscle and ligament injury form of neck pain

Also known as whiplash, neck pain can result from a car or sports collision. It occurs when the neck is repeatedly moved back and forth, injuring muscles and ligaments. 

The symptoms of whiplash can vary depending on the impact of the collision, such as:

• Tiredness

• Stiffness in the neck

• Pain that gets worse with movement

• Loss of range of motion

• Tingling or numbness in your arms

• Tenderness or pain in your upper back, shoulder, or arms

Muscle Spasm 

Sudden and uncontrollable pain or tightness in your neck muscles. Often, a spasm can occur due to repetitive movements, strain, pressure, or dehydration. Pain can be intense and sometimes worsen with neck movement. 

Symptoms of a neck muscle spasm can vary, including:

• Sudden or sharp neck pain

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Difficulty moving neck and shoulders

Referred neck pain 

Referred neck pain occurs when you have an injury in another part of your body but feel the pain in your neck, shoulders, back, jaws, or teeth. Often, this pain arises as your nerves are in a connected network. This pain can occur due to a ligament or muscle injury, disc prolapse, spinal stenosis, or cervical spondylosis. 

The symptoms of referred neck pain are: 

• Aching, burning, or tingling sensations in your neck

• Limited ability to move your head

• Numbness or tingling in your shoulders and arms

• Pain in your arm, jaw, or ears 

• Stiffness in neck, back, and shoulders

Facet Joint Neck Pain 

When your cervical facet joints, which stabilize your spine and help it move,  become painful and inflamed, this often occurs due to repetitive movements, poor posture, sports injuries, or degeneration of joint cartilage. 

The symptoms of facet joint neck pain are: 

• Tingling or pins and needles sensations in hand and arm

• Pain in upper back or shoulder blades

• Muscle spasms or soreness in your neck muscles

• Headaches at the back of your head

• Stiffness or limited flexibility in your neck

• Localized neck pain in the area of the joint

• Tenderness when touching your neck 

Bone neck pain 

When conditions like spinal stenosis, arthritis, cancer, cysts, bone spurs, or an injury cause pain, the pain in your neck often appears as deep aches and tends to worsen at nighttime.  

The symptoms of bone neck pain are:

• Numbness or weakness in your arms

• Tension headaches

• Muscle spasms

• Stiffness in your neck

• Pain radiating from your neck into your shoulders and arms 

• Limited range of motion 

Axial neck pain 

Axial neck pain, also known as mechanical pain, is often the most common pain. It typically affects the neck and surrounding body parts. The pain tends to start in the center of the neck and radiate down to the shoulders and upper back. Often, axial neck pain can be caused by poor posture, muscle or ligament strains, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal misalignments.

The symptoms of axial neck pain are: 

• Numbness or tingling sensations in your hands or arms

• Headaches 

• Dull and aching pain in the center of your neck

• Pain in the back of your neck

Neck Pain and Dehydration: What’s the Connection?

Did you know that dehydration can contribute to neck pain? The discs in your spine, including your cervical (neck) region, are made up of a large percentage of water. These discs act as cushions, absorbing shock and supporting your movement. When your body lacks proper hydration, the discs lose some of their ability to provide cushioning, leading to stiffness, discomfort, and pain in the neck.

Signs That Dehydration May Be Causing Your Neck Pain:

✔ Stiffness in the neck, especially after waking up
✔ Increased tension and muscle tightness
✔ Frequent headaches that accompany neck discomfort
✔ A general feeling of fatigue and sluggishness

How to Prevent Neck Pain Caused by Dehydration

Staying hydrated is a simple yet effective way to support spinal health. Here are some quick tips:

💧 Drink enough water throughout the day – Aim for at least 8 glasses (more if you're active).
💧 Limit caffeine and alcohol – Both can contribute to dehydration.
💧 Incorporate water-rich foods – Foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and leafy greens help with hydration.
💧 Pay attention to your body's signals – If you frequently experience dry mouth, headaches, or fatigue, your body may need more water.

If dehydration is a contributing factor to your neck pain, addressing it can help reduce discomfort and improve mobility. However, if your pain persists despite proper hydration, chiropractic care can help identify underlying issues and provide lasting relief.

Neck pain treatment and relief in Knoxville 

In many cases, neck pain can resolve on its own. However, there may be certain types of neck pain where you cannot alleviate symptoms, significantly impacting the quality of your life. You may need a chiropractic consultation if you’ve been experiencing persistent neck pain, limited movements, and additional symptoms. 

At Homberg Chiropractic, we learn about your neck pain, concerns, symptoms, and how they affect your life during the initial consultation. We will then create a tailored treatment plan to help alleviate or manage your neck pain more effectively with one or several of the following:

Spinal manipulation therapy

Our chiropractor will use controlled force with their hands to steadily move, manipulate your vertebrae, and apply pressure to your spine and joints. They’ll adjust your cervical vertebrae to alleviate pressure on your nerves in the neck and restore alignment and function. This method is also used to help identify the root cause of your pain and restore range of motion. 

Spinal mobilization

This gentle technique involves slowly moving your spine within its normal range of motion. Spinal mobilization helps relieve tension and gradually improves movement, stretching the affected joints causing your neck pain. 

Cervical Traction

Our chiropractor will use a device to gently stretch your neck and reduce pressure from your spinal discs and nerves. The device uses a controlled pulling force on your cervical spine, helping reduce compression and alleviate pain. 

Massage therapy

Depending on your symptoms, your chiropractor may refer you for a movement-based massage. This type of massage helps with painful muscle adhesions and trigger points in your neck. 

Exercise Rehabilitation

Our chiropractor in Knoxville, Tennessee, will prescribe targeted exercises to strengthen your back muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain. Your personalized plan will include movements designed to restore function and mobility. We’ll guide you through these exercises and follow up with regular consultations to track your progress.

Don’t let neck pain control your life. Book a consultation with Homberg Chiropractic today and take the first step toward lasting relief.