Chiropractora

Archive for the ‘neck pain’ Category

When we wake up in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the propensity is to blame the condition on our pillow, bed, or sleep position during that night. We also attempt to figure out what is happening when sudden neck movement causes a sharp pain that feels as if “something” has slipped out of position or that a nerve is being “pinched.” Though it may seem so, one single incident is hardly ever the cause of most neck problems, but more often than not the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, bad work and lifestyle habits, and lack of proper exercise for strength and flexibility. Naturally, some neck challenges are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

To understand neck pain, it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is piloted by neck vertebrae that are comprised of posterior joints, called facets, that connect vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of strong cartilage that encases a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The principal function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae and impart the energy to make the muscles and other organs of the body function. They also carry impulses from the body to the brain concerning pain, touch, position, temperature, as well as other senses.  The nerves that leave from the neck are responsible for the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The natural forward curve of the neck balances the weight of the head and alleviates stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your  Chiropractor.

Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use

More and more people are now employed to sit at a desk in front of a computer. The use of computers has risen dramatically, and many individuals spend eight to ten hours a day slumped over the keyboard and staring at the monitor. Sitting with the head in a forward bent position (the posture most computer users adopt), puts enormous strain on neck ligaments and muscles. In addition, the normal forward curve of the neck becomes reversed producing more stress upon all the surrounding tissues of the neck. Awkward posture and repetitive stress can cause spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the primary causes of spinal nerve irritation. Besides general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can cause symptoms like headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.

Headaches and Chiropractic Care

Headaches or migraines are frequently associated with dysfunction of the cervical spine. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are created when the cervical vertebrae lose their natural position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, connected with structures in the head are stretched or agitated. In many cases the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, can also refer pain to the head.  Of course there are other factors associated with headaches including toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Nevertheless one must always look at the tissues and alignment of the neck when contemplating the basis for headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to singularly beneficial in the treatment of headaches. Your Chiropractor can give you further information regarding treatment and pain relief.

Whiplash and Chiropractic Care

Many people are involved in car accidents. Rear-end collisions are the most common. During such a collision, the head of the passenger in the front automobile is forcibly jerked back, and then forward, causing harm to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. Such a strong force can cause damage to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Whiplash injury includes neck pain and immobility, and other symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and should pain, tingling in the hands and fingers, and weakness of the arms and hand. It is extremely important to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. However in almost all cases, the injuries are principally to the soft tissues and joints. Proper treatment is crucial in healing from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Chiropractor is has years of experience in treating whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from injury to recovery.

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