In order 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 comprised of posterior joints, called facets, that connect vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of strong cartilage that surrounds 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. Spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae and impart energy to muscles and organs of the body. Transversely, they carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain.  The nerves that go out 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 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 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, 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 tremendous strain on neck ligaments and muscles. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and produce more stress on the surrounding tissue of the neck. Improper posture and repetitive stress can produce spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the principal causes of spinal nerve pain. Besides general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can cause 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 commonly associated with misalignments of the cervical spine. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are caused when the cervical vertebrae lose their normal position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, related to structures in the head are stretched or agitated. In many conditions the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, can also refer pain to the head.  Many other factors are related to headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. However one must always look at the tissues and alignment of the neck when speculating the basis for headaches and migraines. Chiropractic treatment 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. Rear-end collisions are the most common. During such an accident, the passenger in the front car gets his or her head powerfully wrenched backward and then forward causing injury to the structures of the back and front of the neck. This type of trauma is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force arising from such an accident is very strong and 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 associated with whiplash injury. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are extremely important in order to rule out a fracture. However in almost all cases, the injuries are primarily to the soft tissues and joints. Proper care is essential in healing from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is has years of experience in treating whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from injury to recovery.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic care, headache, neck pain, whiplash