How to Relieve Neck Pain and Headache

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How to Relieve Neck Pain and Headache

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

If we awaken in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the tendency is to blame the situation on our pillow, bed, or sleep position during that night. We also make an effort 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 helpful to understand that most neck problems are seldom caused by a single incident, but rather by the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of suitable exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Of course, some neck challenges are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

In order to understand neck pain, it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is directed by neck vertebrae that are made of posterior joints, called facets, that attach vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of tough cartilage that surrounds a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The principal function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. In a canal located between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. Spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae and provide energy to muscles and organs of the body. They also 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 neck has a natural forward curve when looked at 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

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 tremendous strain on neck ligaments and muscles. In addition, the normal forward curve of the neck becomes reversed causing more stress upon all the surrounding tissues of the neck. All of this can lead to 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 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 frequently associated with misalignments 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 agitated. Trigger points, the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, can also refer pain to the head. Many other factors are related to headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Nevertheless, the alignment of the neck and the irritation of surrounding tissues should be a main consideration when treating headaches and migraines. Chiropractic adjustments 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. 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 car gets his or her head forcefully jerked backward and then forward causing damage to the structures of the back and front of the neck. This sort of injury 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 crucial to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. However in almost all cases, the injuries are principally to the soft tissues and joints. Proper treatment is crucial 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 beginning to end.

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