Chiropractic Orlando

Introduction

Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always responsible for our stiff and painful neck when we get up 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.” It is useful to understand that most neck problems are hardly ever caused by a single incident, but usually by the cumulative effects of incorrect sitting posture, unhealthy work and living habits, lack of beneficial exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Of course, some neck misalignments are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

Anatomy

In order to understand neck pain, it is important to be aware of the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is guided by neck vertebrae that are made of posterior joints, called facets, that attach vertebrae to one another. Inter-vertebral discs, comprised of tough cartilage, join the “bodies” of the vertebrae. This dense cartilage encases the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. 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 impart the energy to make the muscles and other organs of the body function. They also carry impulses from the body to the brain with respect to 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 Orlando 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. When we sit with our head in a forward bent position-the posture that most desk workers assume-the ligaments that hold the facets together and the muscles in the neck are put under enormous strain. In addition, the normal forward curve of the neck becomes reversed creating more stress upon all the surrounding tissues of the neck. Unhealthy posture and repetitive stress can cause spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the principal causes of spinal nerve pain. Besides general pain, spinal nerve inflammation in the neck can produce 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. 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 inflamed 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. Of course there are other factors associated with headaches including 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 considering the origin of headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to extremely beneficial in the treatment of headaches. Your Orlando 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 car is forcibly wrenched back, and then forward, causing injury to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. Such a powerful force can cause trauma to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Along with 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. It is vital to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. However in many 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 Orlando Chiropractor is has years of experience in treating whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from start to finish.

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