Chiropractor Ventura on Neck Pain
ByChiropractor Ventura knows plenty about your neck pain: Whenever 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 attempt 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 useful to understand that most neck problems are seldom caused by a single incident, but usually by the cumulative effects of incorrect sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of proper exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. 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 important to have knowledge of the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is guided by neck vertebrae that are made 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 covers 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. Spinal nerves leave 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 in charge of the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The neck has a natural forward curve when looked at from the side that helps appropriately balance the weight of the head, as well as to decrease stress on the neck joints. For more information please feel free to visit your Ventura Chiropractor.
Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use
A larger majority of people are now making their living sitting 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. When we sit with our head in a forward bent position-the posture that most desk workers take on-the ligaments that hold the facets together and the muscles in the neck are put under tremendous strain. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and produce 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 primary causes of spinal nerve pain. In addition to general pain, spinal nerve inflammation in the neck can generate 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 produced 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 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 considering the basis for headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to singularly helpful in the treatment of headaches. Your Ventura 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 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 damage is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force produced by such an accident is very intense 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. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are crucial in order to rule out a fracture. More often than not in many cases, the injuries are primarily to the soft tissues and joints. Proper management is essential in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Ventura Chiropractor is has years of experience in treating whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from start to finish.
