Hours spent looking down at a phone or laptop, sometimes called “tech neck”, fit the same pattern. Stiffness often shows up as trouble turning to check a blind spot or looking up at a shelf.
What we help with
Neck pain and stiffness
Guidelines suggest hands-on care such as spinal manipulation or mobilization, combined with exercise and advice, as an option for neck pain; these are weak recommendations because the evidence is generally low quality. Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC follows that combined approach, and guidelines ask for a careful history and examination before any neck treatment.
What causes neck pain and stiffness?
Neck pain most often comes from muscle strain or tension, and everyday habits are usually to blame.
Which neck symptoms need a doctor or 911 first?
Call 911 for sudden stroke-type symptoms, and see a medical doctor first if neck pain comes with arm weakness, clumsy hands, trouble with balance, a fever or a recent injury.
Arm pain with numbness, tingling or weakness can mean a nerve root in the neck is involved and needs a proper assessment. Guidelines also advise seeing a physician if symptoms get worse or new ones appear at any point during care.
How does Dr. LeGault care for neck pain?
Neck care here combines hands-on work for the neck and upper back with exercises and advice you can use at home.
Depending on what the exam shows and what you prefer, a visit can include hands-on adjustments and mobilization of the neck and the mid-back (thoracic spine), which guidelines often pair together for neck pain.
Dr. LeGault is a Graston Technique provider and may add instrument-assisted soft-tissue work on the muscles around the neck and shoulders.
You also leave with neck exercises you can do at home: he demonstrates them in the office, sends them through the Physitrack app or on a printed handout, and builds on them as your visits go on.
Are there other options besides a by-hand neck adjustment?
Yes: besides adjusting by hand, Dr. LeGault can adjust on a drop table or with a hand-held instrument, and the choice is made with you.
Dr. LeGault uses three adjusting methods for the neck and spine:
- Diversified is the by-hand method: the adjustment is given with the doctor’s hands.
- The Thompson drop table has sections that drop a short distance at the moment of the adjustment.
- Instrument adjusting (ArthroStim) uses a hand-held device in place of the hands.
Tell Dr. LeGault which option you would rather have, or whether you would prefer no neck adjustment at all. The research on this page studied manipulation and mobilization by hand; it did not test the drop table or the instrument.
What does the research say about chiropractic care for neck pain?
Guidelines support hands-on care as part of a combined plan with exercise, with weak to moderate recommendations, and reviews find mostly short-term improvements.
The fine print matters: manipulation used on its own is not well supported, so it belongs inside a plan with exercise and advice, and most of the measured gains were short-term.
What exercises help neck pain?
Guidelines favor strengthening exercises for the neck and shoulders, with range-of-motion work when the neck is stiff.
In practice that means a short set of exercises you can fit into a workday, chosen for your neck and changed as it gets stronger.
Is a neck adjustment safe?
Serious complications after neck manipulation are rare, while mild, short-lived soreness, stiffness or tiredness afterwards is common.
Before any neck adjustment, we’ll go over the benefits and potential risks together and answer your questions so you know what to expect and feel comfortable with your care.
What happens at the first visit for neck pain?
You talk through your neck pain with Dr. LeGault, he explains what he finds and the options in plain words, and the plan reflects your preferences.
The visit starts with a detailed health history and a discussion of your neck, followed by a physical examination, with orthopedic and neurological testing if appropriate. If chiropractic care is appropriate, treatment may begin that day.
You do not need a referral. X-rays are ordered only when clinically appropriate and are taken off-site, and you will never be asked to sign a long-term contract.
New to the practice? Read what to expect at your first visit, including what to bring.
When can I see Dr. LeGault for neck pain, and is my plan accepted?
Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC sees neck-pain patients on the days in the table, and the practice accepts the insurance plans listed; coverage depends on your plan.
| Day | Dr. LeGault |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | not stated |
| Friday | not stated |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
- UPMC
- Highmark
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
- Medicare (participating provider)
- Pennsylvania auto insurance (first-party medical benefits (PIP), billed directly)
- Workers’ compensation
Coverage depends on your plan.
We can verify and check your benefits before your first visit, or you can check with your insurer directly. Self-pay is also possible: call 412-364-4100 and ask about fees.
Questions, answered
I think I have a pinched nerve in my neck. Should I see a chiropractor or a doctor?
Arm pain with numbness or tingling needs a proper assessment, which Dr. LeGault can start. If you have weakness in an arm or hand, clumsy hands, or trouble walking or balancing, see a medical doctor first.
When an exam points to something that needs medical care, Dr. LeGault refers you on.
Can I have exercises without a neck adjustment?
Yes. Supervised or home strengthening exercise is one of the options Canada’s chiropractic guideline lists for neck pain lasting longer than three months, and you can always say no to a neck adjustment.
How soon will my neck feel better?
Everyone is different, and we do not promise a timeline. Most of the research on this page measured changes over about a month. Dr. LeGault reviews your progress with you and adjusts the plan as you go.
Is it normal to feel tired or dizzy after a neck adjustment?
Some people briefly feel tired, dizzy or light-headed after neck treatment, and it usually passes. Sudden dizziness with slurred speech, vision changes or weakness is different: call 911.
Dr. LeGault's training and certifications sees patients on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdaydirections and on-site parkingcheck whether your plan is in networkcoverage depends on your planJust off McKnight Road, on-site parking
Who treats this
- Dr. LeGault (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday)
References
Muscle strain or tension from everyday activities is a common cause of neck pain.
An association between neck manipulation and artery dissection in younger patients; causation not established; the rate is not well established and probably low.
The risk of a serious blood-vessel incident is extremely small; screening with history, blood pressure and a neurological exam; stroke-like symptoms need emergency care.
Screen for serious conditions first; mid-back manipulation with exercise for recent neck pain with stiffness; combined plans for longer-lasting pain (Grade B).
Manipulation or mobilization as an option for recent neck pain; combined care or exercise for longer-lasting pain (weak recommendations, low-quality evidence).
Short-term reductions in pain versus no treatment and better function versus placebo; low certainty, about four weeks of follow-up.
Manipulation and mobilization gave similar results; mid-back manipulation improved short-term pain and function versus inactive controls.
Mild, short-lived reactions are common and serious complications are rare.
Similar association with chiropractor and family-doctor visits before this rare stroke; no evidence of excess risk with chiropractic care.