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Annex Family Chiropractic

Neck pain and headaches

What a Pain in the Neck! Chiropractic in Toronto

By Dr. Joshua Gelber, DC 2 min read

Neck pain is one of the reasons many people start chiropractic care. You may not realize everything involved beyond relief. Or perhaps you're in the other camp, nervous about having even a trained health professional check your neck. That's a common concern, and we're happy to address it.

Let's explore the connection between your neck, the brain stem and the spinal cord.

Understanding the crucial connection

Chiropractic philosophy recognizes the brain stem's pivotal role in regulating essential bodily functions. The bottom part of the brain stem, sometimes called the “reptilian brain,” helps regulate your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and even swallowing.

This small but mighty region connects directly with the spinal cord, forming a junction that coordinates communication throughout the nervous system. That network carries the signals that control muscle movement, regulate organ function and maintain balance in the body.

Precise, personalized adjustments

Concerns about neck adjustments often come from fear. As a chiropractor with 20 years of experience, I put your comfort first. I use a range of precise techniques, and I tailor my approach to each person, considering age, health, comfort and specific concerns.

Throughout my career, I've kept adding to my training to understand the complexities of the spine and nervous system.

Breaking free from restricted movement

One of the first things we notice with our necks is restriction. The cervical vertebrae in your neck play a vital role in your mobility. When they are restricted, you lose some of your ability to turn, tilt or nod your head freely, which gets in the way of daily life, from checking your blind spot to looking up at a shelf.

Chiropractic adjustments aim to address these restrictions and support natural range of motion in the neck. After a thorough evaluation and scans, I identify where and how you need to be adjusted. I may also suggest stretches or exercises, and possibly a pillow.

Headaches and neck pain

The network of nerves in the neck makes it prone to tension and misalignment. When a patient tells me they have chronic headaches, it's not uncommon to find related findings in the neck during the evaluation. Many people come to us for headaches, and some report fewer or milder headaches while under care.

Balance and the neck

The neck and the inner ear both feed your brain information about balance. When someone mentions dizziness or balance problems, I check the alignment of the neck as part of the assessment, and I will refer you on when another professional is the better fit.

Your path to wellness

Chiropractic care isn't only about easing neck pain. It's a holistic approach to supporting your overall well-being through healthy nervous system function. I work with you, explaining what I find and encouraging you through your health journey.

Ready to put your health first? Call 416-967-4466 for an appointment at our midtown Toronto office, or book online.

Ready to take the first step?

If something has been bothering you, or you're simply ready to understand your spinal health better, let's start with an evaluation. We'll look at what's going on, discuss what we find, and work out whether we're a good fit to move forward together.