In order to understand neck pain, it is helpful to understand the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the neck are made up of posterior joints, called facets, that connect vertebrae to one another and serve to direct the motion of the spine. The inter-vertebral discs link the bodies of the vertebrae and are composed of a form of strong cartilage that encases a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. In a canal positioned between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. Spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae and provide energy to muscles and organs of the body. They also carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain.  The nerves that leave from the neck are assigned to 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 lessens stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your chiropractor.

Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use

Computer use has risen considerably over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, many people spend eight to ten hours a day, or more, bent over a keyboard and staring at a monitor. Sitting with the head in a forward bent position (the posture most computer users adopt), puts enormous strain on neck ligaments and muscles. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and create more stress on the surrounding tissue of the neck. Unhealthy posture and repetitive stress can produce spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the primary causes of spinal nerve irritation. Besides general pain, spinal nerve inflammation in the neck can cause symptoms including headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.

Headaches and Chiropractic Care

Headaches or migraines are commonly associated with dysfunction of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their normal position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are related to structures in the head are stretched or irritated thus causing symptoms from a dull ache to throbbing pain. In many conditions 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 connected with headaches including toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. But, the alignment of the neck and the irritation of surrounding tissues should be a primary consideration when treating 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

Unfortunately, many people are involved in car accidents. Beyond question the most common auto accident is when one car collides into the rear-end of another car. During such a collision, the head of the passenger in the front automobile is powerfully jerked back, and then forward, causing injury 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. Besides neck pain and immobility, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and shoulder pain, tingling in the hands and fingers and weakness of the arm and hand are coincidental with whiplash injury. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are crucial in order to rule out a fracture. However in most cases, the injuries are mainly to the soft tissues and joints. Proper management is essential in healing from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your chiropractor is extremely knowledgeable in the area of whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from start to finish.

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