Neck Pain Relief in Greenville, SC

Neck pain and stiffness are among the most common problems we treat at Combs Chiropractic & Wellness. For many patients, the cause is the slow forward drift of the head from screens and desk work, and that's something we can measure and work to correct.

What causes neck pain?

• Forward head posture from phones, laptops and long hours at a desk

• Sleeping in awkward positions or on the wrong pillow

• Whiplash from car accidents or sports

• Arthritis and disc wear in the neck

• Stress that settles into the shoulders and upper back

Every inch your head moves forward adds load to the neck muscles and joints, which is why "tech neck" so often shows up with headaches and shoulder tension.

How we assess it

Your first visit starts with a conversation: when your neck pain began, what makes it better or worse, and how it's affecting your work, sleep and daily life. From there, Dr. Combs looks at your neck three ways.

Chiropractic examination

The exam centers on palpation: Dr. Combs feels along your neck and upper back to find tight muscles and joints that are stiff, tender or not moving well. When your symptoms call for it, such as numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or hands, he'll also check reflexes, strength and sensation to see whether a nerve is involved.

Posture assessment

We look at your posture from the front and the side to see how far your head sits forward of your shoulders, and whether your head, shoulders or hips are tilted or rotated. This shows the everyday load on your neck and gives us a starting point to re-check as you improve.

X-rays

When X-rays are appropriate, they show what an exam can't: the curve of your neck, the alignment of each vertebra, and signs of disc wear or arthritis. A healthy neck has a gentle forward curve. When it straightens or reverses, the joints and discs carry stress they weren't built for. Measuring that curve lets us set specific goals and show you your progress over time.

At your follow-up visit, Dr. Combs walks you through your exam, posture and X-ray findings and explains what he recommends, so you know exactly what's going on before you decide on care.

How we treat it

• Gentle adjustments to the neck and upper back

• CBP posture correction and neck traction to rebuild a healthier curve when it's been lost

• Strengthening for the deep neck muscles, plus stretches for the chest and shoulders

• Desk, phone and pillow changes that keep you from undoing your progress