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Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always the reason for our stiff and painful neck when we get up in the morning. We also make an effort to figure out what is occurring 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 rarely caused by a single incident, but rather by the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, unhealthy work and living habits, lack of suitable exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Obviously, some neck misalignments 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 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 connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are composed 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 go out from the spine between the vertebrae and provide energy to muscles and organs of the body. Transversely, they carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain. The nerves that leave from the neck are in charge of 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 lessens stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your San Jose 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 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 take on), 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 principal causes of spinal nerve pain. Conjointly with general pain, spinal nerve inflammation 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 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 associated with structures in the head are stretched or irritated thus producing 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 connected 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 basis for headaches and migraines. Chiropractic manipulation and management have proved to be very effective in the treatment of headaches. Ask your San Jose Chiropractor about the benefits of Chiropractic care.
Whiplash and Chiropractic Care
Unfortunately, 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 forcibly jerked back, and then forward, causing harm to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. This sort of injury is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force arising from such an accident is very strong and can cause injury 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. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are extremely important in order to rule out a fracture. However in almost all cases, the injuries are principally to the soft tissues and joints. Proper management is essential in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your San Jose Chiropractor is has years of experience in treating whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from start to finish.