Headaches Are A Pain In The Neck
Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always explanation for our stiff and painful neck when we get up in the morning. We also attempt 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.” It is important to understand that most neck problems are seldom caused by a single incident, but rather by the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of beneficial exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Naturally, some neck misalignments are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.
To understand neck pain, it is important to be aware of the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is piloted by neck vertebrae that are made of posterior joints, called facets, that link vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs link the bodies of the vertebrae and are comprised of a form of dense cartilage that covers a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. 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 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 exit 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 neck has a natural forward curve when observed 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 Colorado Springs Chiropractor.
Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use
More and more people are now earning a wage 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 cause 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 primary causes of spinal nerve inflammation. Conjointly with general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can cause symptoms including 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. 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 irritated thus producing symptoms from a dull ache to throbbing pain. 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 connected with headaches such as 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 speculating the cause of headaches and migraines. Chiropractic manipulation 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 a collision, the head of the passenger in the front car is forcefully jolted back, and then forward, causing damage to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. This sort of damage 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. It is crucial to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. However in most cases, the injuries are mainly 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 has years of experience in treating whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.
Tags: chiropractic care, headache, neck pain, whiplash