Neck pain is common enough that most of us have experienced it in some capacity.

It’s tempting to think that when you have an ache or soreness in your neck, “it’s not a big deal… It’ll go away.” Will it, though?

It’s one thing to feel neck pain, but seeing the reason why you’re feeling it can evoke a different kind of response.

Today, I chose four x-rays belonging to patients who came to my office seeking relief from pain they’d been experiencing throughout the neck area.

Take a moment to look at each. Now, they have a number of things in common, and I can discuss these details ad nauseam, but one similarity stands out the most:

All four demonstrate Forward Head Posture, which results from the loss of cervical curve.

With the help of chiropractic care, some reasonable changes in lifestyle, and basic rehab exercises performed at home, they’ll achieve the desired pain relief, as well as noticeable functional improvements.

But for some people with very similar looking spines, they’ll wait years (if not decades) before adequately addressing the issue. By that time, it’s often too late.

Here’s what “too late” can look like…

The x-ray shown here isn’t intended to elicit any sort of hysteria. It’s not what happens to all people who wait. It’s also not meant to imply that receiving chiropractic care is a silver bullet that prevents degenerative changes within the spine.

Rather, it’s a depiction of a “worst case scenario” that can occur when people ignore their body’s distress signals (symptoms), and wait as long as possible before addressing longstanding health problems.

I know how easy it is for people to put off dealing with a problem like neck pain, or write it off as some sort of minor inconvenience… I worry about these individuals, especially if the discomfort they’re experiencing interferes with work, family time, or the activities they enjoy.

So keep this in mind: Spinal surgery isn’t a magical solution; often times it’s just damage control.

Having a reputable chiropractor “look under the hood” enables them to visually examine the terrain. Seeing the problem enables you to approach it more productively. Treatment becomes more meaningful because you now know what’s going on beneath the surface.

And when you take an active role in your rehabilitation and recovery, slowing down the problem and making efficient progress is much more likely.

If you’re experiencing neck pain:

Here’s a great online resource for finding a doctor near you who works exclusively with the neck. And if you happen to live in the St. Louis area, come see me.