Can Neck Pain and Headache be helped by Chiropractic Care?
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 make an effort 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.” It is important to understand that most neck problems are rarely caused by a single incident, but instead by the cumulative effects of incorrect sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of proper exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Obviously, some neck misalignments are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.
Anatomy
To understand neck pain, it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is guided by neck vertebrae that are comprised of posterior joints, called facets, that link vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are composed of a form of dense cartilage that surrounds 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. In a canal found 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 regarding 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 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 cause more stress on the surrounding tissue of the neck. Awkward posture and repetitive stress can create spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the principal causes of spinal nerve pain. Conjointly with general pain, spinal nerve inflammation in the neck can generate 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 usually associated with dysfunction of the cervical spine. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are produced when the cervical vertebrae lose their normal position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, connected with 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. Many other factors are connected with headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Still one must always look at the tissues and alignment of the neck when contemplating the origin of headaches and migraines. Chiropractic adjustments 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
Unfortunately, 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 jolted back, and then forward, causing damage to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. Such a powerful force can cause trauma 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. More often than not in many cases, the injuries are primarily to the soft tissues and joints. Proper treatment is essential in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is extremely knowledgeable in the area of whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.
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