Posts Tagged ‘chiropractic care’
Can Neck Pain and Headache be helped by Chiropractic Care?
Introduction
If we arise in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the tendency is to blame the predicament on our pillow, bed, or sleep position during that night. We also try to figure out what is occurring 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 hardly ever caused by a single incident, but usually by the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of suitable exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Naturally, 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 important to be aware of 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. Inter-vertebral discs, made of tough cartilage, join the “bodies” of the vertebrae. This dense cartilage surrounds the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. 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. The spinal nerves exit 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 concerning 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 dramatically 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. When we sit with our head in a forward bent position-the posture that most desk workers assume-the ligaments that hold the facets together and the muscles in the neck are put under immense strain. In addition, the normal forward curve of the neck becomes reversed creating more stress upon all the surrounding tissues of the neck. Improper posture and repetitive stress can cause spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the main causes of spinal nerve inflammation. Conjointly with general pain, spinal nerve pain 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 misalignments of the cervical spine. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are caused 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 irritated. 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 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 manipulation and management have proved to be very effective in the treatment of headaches. Ask your Colorado Springs Chiropractor about the benefits of Chiropractic care.
Whiplash and Chiropractic Care
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 car is powerfully wrenched back, and then forward, causing harm to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. This kind of trauma 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 crucial 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 care is crucial in healing 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.