Headaches Are a Pain in the Neck
All this week I will feature a series of articles by some of my coooeagues across the nation, enjoy!
Whenever we wake up in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the inclination is to blame the predicament on our pillow, bed, or sleep position during that night. 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.” Though it may seem so, one single incident is rarely the cause of most neck problems, but rather the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, unhealthy work and lifestyle habits, and lack of proper exercise for strength and flexibility. Obviously, 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 necessary to be aware 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 attach vertebrae to one another. Inter-vertebral discs, made of strong 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 principal function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer 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 supply 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 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
Many people are now employed to sit at a desk in front of a computer. The use of computers has risen significantly, and many individuals spend eight to ten hours a day slumped over the keyboard and staring at the monitor. Sitting with the head in a forward bent position (the posture most computer users adopt), puts immense 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. Awkward posture and repetitive stress can cause spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the principal causes of spinal nerve inflammation. Conjointly with general pain, spinal nerve inflammation 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 dysfunction of the cervical spine. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are created when the cervical vertebrae lose their essential position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, connected with structures in the head are stretched or irritated. Trigger points, the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, can also refer pain to the head. Of course there are other factors associated with 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 cause of 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
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 forcefully wrenched back, and then forward, causing harm to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. Such a intense force can cause damage to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. In addition to 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. It is crucial to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. More often than not in many cases, the injuries are mainly to the soft tissues and joints. Proper management is vital 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 injury to recovery.
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