Headaches Are a Pain in the Neck
Whenever we wake up 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 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.” It is important to understand that most neck problems are hardly ever caused by a single incident, but instead by the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, poor work and living habits, lack of proper 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 comprised of posterior joints, called facets, that link vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs join the bodies of the vertebrae and are composed of a form of tough cartilage that covers a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. The spinal cord is located between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae and supply the energy to make the muscles and other organs of the body function. They also carry impulses from the body to the brain concerning pain, touch, position, temperature, as well as other senses. The nerves that go out 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 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
Computer use has risen significantly over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, a substantial amount of 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 assume), 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. All of this can lead to spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the main causes of spinal nerve inflammation. Besides general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can produce 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 commonly associated with disorders of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their essential position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are related to structures in the head are stretched or agitated thus creating 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. Many other factors are associated with 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 contemplating the origin of headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to singularly helpful 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. 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 vehicle is powerfully 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 trauma 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 coincidental with whiplash injury. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are extremely important in order to rule out a fracture. Usually in almost all cases, the injuries are mainly to the soft tissues and joints. Proper treatment is crucial 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 start to finish.
