Neck Adjustments

Introduction

Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always responsible for our stiff and painful neck when we get up in the morning. We also attempt to figure out what is taking place 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.” It is helpful to understand that most neck problems are rarely caused by a single incident, but rather by the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of proper exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Of course, some neck misalignments are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

Anatomy

In order to understand neck pain, it is helpful to have knowledge of the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is piloted by neck vertebrae that are made of posterior joints, called facets, that link vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are comprised of a form of dense cartilage that covers a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. In a canal located between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae and provide the energy to make the muscles and other organs of the body function. They also carry impulses from the body to the brain regarding pain, touch, position, temperature, as well as other senses.  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 decreases stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your Colorado Springs Chiropractor.

Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use

Computer use has risen considerably over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, a substantial amount of 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 tremendous 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. All of this can lead to spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the main causes of spinal nerve inflammation. In addition to general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can cause symptoms such as 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, related to structures in the head are stretched or inflamed. Trigger points, the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, can also refer pain to the head.  Of course there are other factors related to 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 cause of headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to extremely beneficial in the treatment of headaches. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor can give you further information regarding treatment and pain relief.

Whiplash and Chiropractic Care

Many people are involved in car accidents. Almost certainly the most common auto accident is when one car collides into the rear-end of another car. During such an accident, the passenger in the front automobile gets his or her head powerfully jolted backward and then forward causing injury to the structures of the back and front of the neck. This type of damage is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force produced by such an accident is very strong and can cause injury 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 vital to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. More often than not in many cases, the injuries are mainly to the soft tissues and joints. Proper care is essential in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is educated to understand whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from start to finish.