Neck Pain Relief in Charleston, SC
Yes, a chiropractor can help with neck pain. At Charleston Chiropractic Studio in West Ashley, Dr. Leo and Dr. Kasandra Ruettiger check each bone in your neck and upper back by hand, take X-rays on site when you need them, and adjust only the spots that are causing your pain. The goal is a neck that turns freely again, not a quick fix.
Signs your neck pain needs a chiropractic exam
Neck pain is easy to ignore until it starts running your day. These are common reasons people in Charleston, Mt Pleasant, Summerville, James Island and Johns Island come in:
- A stiff neck that makes it hard to check your blind spot while driving
- Neck pain or tight shoulders after a day at a desk or on your phone
- Headaches that seem to start at the base of the skull
- Pain, tingling or numbness that runs into the shoulder or arm
- Neck pain that started after a car accident, a fall or sports
- Waking up sore and stiff most mornings
What causes neck pain
Your head weighs about as much as a bowling ball, and your neck holds it up all day. When the head drifts forward to look at a screen, the neck works much harder. Over time, joints in the neck can stop moving well, the muscles around them tighten, and nearby nerves get irritated.
Injuries play a part too. Whiplash from a car accident, a hard fall or contact sports can strain the joints and soft tissues of the neck. Some of these injuries do not hurt until days later, which is why we recommend a chiropractic exam soon after a car accident, even before pain starts.
How we check your neck at our West Ashley office
We start by asking when the pain began, what makes it worse and what you have already tried. Then we do a hands-on exam of your neck and upper back in the Gonstead tradition, checking each vertebra one at a time. We also look at your posture and how your neck moves.
We have digital X-ray right in the office. When your case calls for it, we take images and review them with you before care begins.
New patients can claim our $79 website special, which covers your consultation, exam and X-rays.
What neck pain care looks like here
Both doctors practice Gonstead-style chiropractic: specific, hands-on adjustments to the exact segments found in your exam. Adjustments are gentle and controlled, and there is no one-size-fits-all routine.
Depending on your exam, your plan may also include:
- Corrective exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold your head up
- Posture and ergonomic tips for your desk, phone use, car seat and pillow
- Spinal corrective care when the problem has built up over years
Neck pain, headaches and back pain often go together
Tension in the neck often comes with headaches, and the way you hold your neck affects your mid and lower back. That is why we check the whole spine, not just the spot that hurts. If headaches or back pain are your main problem, our headache and back pain pages explain how we care for those.
Meet your Charleston neck pain doctors
Dr. Leo Ruettiger graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa in 2018. Dr. Kasandra Ruettiger earned her Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, Florida, graduating Cum Laude in 2015. Both practice Gonstead-style adjusting.
This husband-and-wife team has served Charleston since 2019 from 1941 Savage Road Suite 300-D in West Ashley. The practice holds a 4.9-star Google rating, and patients often mention how unhurried and personal their visits feel.
Ready to turn your head without wincing?
Tell us where it hurts and what you have tried. We will look for the cause and build a plan for your neck.
Request an AppointmentQuestions families ask us
Can a chiropractor help with neck pain?
For many people, yes. Spinal manipulation is one of the non-drug options studied for neck pain, and the National Institutes of Health summarizes the research in its spinal manipulation overview. Your exam tells us whether chiropractic is a good fit for your neck.
Are neck adjustments safe?
Our adjustments are specific and controlled, and we only adjust after a full history and exam. If anything in your exam points to a problem that needs a medical doctor, we will tell you and refer you.
Do you check for serious causes of neck pain?
Yes. Every first visit includes a check for rare warning signs, and if we find one we refer you to the right doctor. Fever with a stiff neck or sudden weakness is an ER visit. MedlinePlus has more on neck injuries and disorders. Our guide to when to see a chiropractor covers the rest.
Can I get a same-day appointment for neck pain in Charleston?
Same-day visits are often possible. We aim to see new and returning patients as soon as the schedule allows, and calling early in the day gives you more open times.
Do you see neck pain patients from outside West Ashley?
Yes. Our office at 1941 Savage Road Suite 300-D serves Charleston, Mt Pleasant, Summerville, James Island and Johns Island. Call (843) 852-4141 for current hours.
Find out why your neck hurts
Schedule your exam with Dr. Leo or Dr. Kasandra Ruettiger in West Ashley and get a plan built for your neck.
(843) 852-4141Prefer email? Write to info@charlestonchirostudio.com.