Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always the reason for our stiff and painful neck when we arise in the morning. We also try 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.” Though it may seem so, one singular event is hardly ever the cause of most neck problems, but instead the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, unhealthy work and lifestyle habits, and lack of healthy exercise for strength and flexibility. Of course, some neck misalignments are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.
In order to understand neck pain, it is helpful to understand the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is directed by neck vertebrae that are composed 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 strong cartilage that covers a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The main function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. Spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae and impart energy to muscles and organs of the body. Additionally, they carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain. The nerves that exit 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 observed from the side that helps correctly 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 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, 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 take on), puts enormous 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 main causes of spinal nerve inflammation. In addition to general pain, spinal nerve irritation 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 usually associated with dysfunction of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their natural position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are related to structures in the head are stretched or agitated thus producing symptoms from a dull ache to throbbing pain. 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, the alignment of the neck and the agitation of surrounding tissues should be a main consideration when treating 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
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 an accident, the passenger in the front automobile gets his or her head powerfully jolted backward and then forward causing damage to the structures of the back and front of the neck. This kind of trauma is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force generated by such an accident is very intense and 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 vital to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. Usually in almost all cases, the injuries are primarily to the soft tissues and joints. Proper management is essential in recovery 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 injury to recovery.
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