NECK PAIN
Neck Pain Care in St. Louis Park, MN
Neck pain has a way of taking over: checking a blind spot becomes an event, and headaches often come along. Most of it is mechanical, and most of it responds well to care. We’d rather find out what’s going on with yours.
Minnesota Monthly Best Chiropractor 2020–2026 · Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) · Veteran and Woman-owned
OUR APPROACH
Getting Through the Day Without Your Neck Stealing the Show
Your neck doesn’t work alone. We look at how the neck, upper back, shoulders and jaw move together, what your posture and workload ask of them, and whether anything in your history or exam needs a different kind of attention.
Then we explain the reason behind every recommendation and adjust the plan as you change.
“Most” isn’t a diagnosis. Yours deserves a careful look.
Dr. HeatherDC, MS, CCSP®
COMMON PATTERNS
What Neck Pain Can Look Like
Different patterns point to different causes. Here are the ones we see most often.
Stiffness & Limited Turning
Often worse in the morning or after screen time. Joint motion and the muscles around it both need attention.
Pain Into the Shoulder Blade
Neck pain that spreads into the upper back and shoulder blade, usually from the neck and upper-back joints working together.
Neck Pain With Headaches
Headaches that start at the base of the skull and change with neck position. See our Headaches & Migraines page.
Arm Symptoms
Tingling, numbness or weakness into the arm or hand deserves a careful exam to find where it’s coming from.
After a Crash or a Hit
Neck pain after a car accident or a hard hit in sport. Start with our Whiplash page.
Desk & Commute Pain
“Text neck” and the ache that builds through the day. Setup and habits matter more than most people expect.
Neck pain with headaches? Headache care → Neck pain after a crash? Whiplash care →
HOW WE APPROACH IT
Care Chosen After the Findings
Your exam looks at how your neck moves, how the upper back and shoulders are sharing the load, and whether your symptoms, strength, reflexes or sensation point to anything that needs imaging or another provider.
From there, your plan may combine:
- Chiropractic adjustments where joint motion is restricted, with gentler options when they’re a better fit.
- Active Release Techniques® (ART®) for the muscles and nerves doing too much. Learn about ART®
- Graston Technique®, instrument-assisted soft-tissue work. Learn about Graston
- Class 4 laser therapy to support healing in irritated tissue. Learn about laser therapy
- Specific exercises and a home program, so progress continues between visits.
- Imaging or a referral when your findings call for it.
WHEN TO SEE A PHYSICIAN FIRST
A Few Neck Symptoms Need a Physician First
We screen for these at your first visit and refer when another provider is the better answer.
- Neck pain after a significant trauma, or with severe headache.
- Fever with neck stiffness that makes it hard to touch your chin to your chest.
- Progressive weakness, clumsiness in the hands or trouble walking.
- Sudden, severe neck pain with dizziness, vision changes or trouble speaking.
If any of these apply, seek medical care promptly. We’ll be here afterward.
NECK PAIN FAQ
Neck Pain Questions, Answered
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Something else on your mind? Call (952) 920-9247.
Is a neck adjustment safe?
For appropriately screened patients, cervical adjustments are a well-studied, low-risk treatment. Your exam is what tells us whether an adjustment is the right tool for you, and we have other options when it isn’t. We’ll talk it through before anything happens.
Can neck pain cause headaches?
Yes. Headaches that start at the base of the skull and are affected by neck position are common, and the neck is usually where we begin.
What about tingling in my arm?
Arm symptoms deserve a careful exam to find where they’re coming from. It’s often the neck, sometimes the shoulder or further down, and occasionally something that needs imaging or a referral.
What can I change at my desk?
More than you’d think, and less than the internet suggests. Bring a photo of your setup to your first visit and we’ll go through it.
How long does neck pain take to improve?
Many episodes improve substantially within a few weeks of the right care. Long-standing stiffness or pain with arm symptoms can take longer. You’ll get an honest estimate once we’ve examined you.
Do you take my insurance?
We verify benefits in the office before care starts, so you’ll know your costs up front. Auto accident and VA Community Care referrals are handled separately; see those pages.
RECOVER · PERFORM · KEEP GOING
Let’s Get Your Neck Out of the Way of Your Day
Schedule a visit at Excelsior & Grand Chiropractic in St. Louis Park, MN, serving Minneapolis, Edina, Golden Valley and Hopkins. We’ll start with your history and a thorough assessment, then build a plan around what you need your neck to do.
Questions first? Call (952) 920-9247.