Neck Pain

Neck pain affects a significant number of individuals. Recent studies have found more than 10% of Americans suffer from neck pain at any given time.

The reason is that the neck region contains many delicate, pain-sensitive structures commonly exposed to abuse and abnormal stresses. Incomplete rehabilitation of past injuries, poor posture and prolonged sitting all contribute. A lack of periodic spinal alignments matters too. These are some of the more common factors in the development of neck problems.

ANATOMY OF THE NECK

Within the neck lies the cervical spine, the uppermost portion of the spinal column. The cervical spine is structurally and functionally unique from the other areas of the spinal column.

Structurally, the cervical spine is composed of 7 moderately small and unique vertebrae including associated muscles, ligaments, joints, and nerves.

The cervical spine has many important functions. It provides support and mobility to the head and neck. It also supplies essential information for the balance and coordination of the body. Finally, it protects the upper spinal cord and associated spinal nerves.

Generous Amounts of Motion

The cervical spine is the most flexible region of the spine. It provides the most generous amounts of flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation.

The 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae are known as the atlas and axis. They have highly unique structures that allow them to form a pivot joint. This joint alone provides approximately 90 degrees of rotation in the cervical spine. These same vertebrae also contain special receptors within their joints. These receptors provide the brain with important information for the maintenance of balance and coordination. As you will see in “Causes”, injury or irritation to these mechanoreceptors results in balance disturbances and problems with coordination.

The remaining cervical vertebrae also provide large degrees of motion but mainly in flexion, extension, and lateral flexion (side bending). Unfortunately, there’s an inverse relationship between mobility and stability. Thus, the cervical spine is more susceptible to injury compared with other areas of the spine.

Nervous System Protection

The cervical vertebrae immediately encase and protect the spinal cord as it descends from the skull.

The spinal cord travels through small holes in the rear of the cervical vertebrae. It gives rise to spinal nerve roots at each vertebral level. These nerve roots exit through the small openings formed by adjacent vertebrae called the intervertebral foramina (IVF). The IVF is the “exit” out of the cervical spine. Spinal nerves pass through it on their way to the head, face, and arms. The IVF is a common location for nerve irritation. In the cervical spine it can give rise to a variety of head, neck, and upper extremity symptoms.

The Spinal Nerves

The nerves exiting the cervical spine are delicate and can become irritated or injured. This gives rise to a number of different signs and symptoms.

The 1st through 3rd cervical nerves exiting from the cervical are responsible for providing sensations to the head and face. These nerves may be compressed, stretched or irritated. They will then cause pain and other altered sensations in regions of the head and face. Researchers have studied the 2nd cervical nerve, also called the greater occipital nerve. They found irritation to it to be a major source of head and face pain. The nerves from the mid and lower cervical spine combine to form the brachial plexus. This is a collection of nerves that innervate the arms. Compression, stretch, or irritation to these nerves commonly cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms.

TREATMENTS FOR NECK PAIN

Doctors of chiropractic have long known what makes treatment successful. The most successful treatments identify and correct the underlying causes of the condition. That’s why chiropractic care has been so successful in correcting back and neck conditions. It is the number one choice for back and neck care.

Identifying The Cause

The first step in treating neck pain is to determine what has and is causing the neck pain. First the causes and contributing factors are identified. A successful treatment plan can then be structured to eliminate pain and achieve the goals of the patient.

The Treatment

Chiropractic treatments for neck pain incorporate the use of many therapies, all of which are gentle, safe, natural, and noninvasive. However, the true power of chiropractic care is found in the chiropractic adjustment. It is the most effective and essential treatment employed by the chiropractor. The reason? Quite simply, spinal adjustment corrects the major problems that the majority of neck pain sufferers have.

Most individuals experiencing neck pain have either:

• Suffered an acute accident such as whiplash. In these cases the structural integrity of the neck has been altered and tissue damage has occurred.
• Been exposed to long periods of adverse neck and spinal stresses. These most commonly come from bad or improper postural habits and techniques.

In both cases, the spinal components are almost always structurally misaligned and biomechanically faulty. In other words, the vertebrae and their supporting structures have lost their “optimal” positioning. Their movements are now occurring in an inappropriate and stressful manner.

There is only one effective and long-term way to correct structural malpositions and improper biomechanics. That is to realign the spinal segments and restore normalized motion. This is the job of spinal adjustment. The spinal adjustment restores positioning and motion. It also produces a reflexive relief of pain and a reduction in muscle spasms. This is due to the high number of mechanoreceptors in the joints of the vertebrae. Chiropractic adjustment stimulates them. Research has shown what happens when these mechanoreceptors are stimulated. Signals are sent to the brain that shut down pain signals and result in muscle relaxation. Also, the adjustment helps to eliminate inflammation through the introduction of motion; inflammatory chemicals are known irritates to pain fibers.

Proper Habits and Techniques

Another key ingredient to a successful neck pain treatment plan includes the learning of proper postural habits and other techniques. Proper posture is a significant factor in the health of the neck and back. It should always be practiced. Techniques common to daily living and work also play a major role. They affect whether neck pain develops at all. This includes proper lifting techniques, telephone techniques, avoidance of repetitive motions, and much more. We can teach you correct habits and techniques which will protect your neck and back from discomfort and injury. Also, be sure to check out our “Posture” and “Ergonomics” sections of our site for additional information.

Other Therapies

Other manual therapies may be utilized as well. These include massage, trigger point therapy, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and acupressure therapy. They assist in the relaxation of cervical muscles and increase cervical spine mobility.

Therapeutic exercises and stretches are commonly prescribed. They assist in the restoration of proper cervical motion and increase cervical muscle strength and coordination. Exercises and stretches are unique in that they can be performed outside the office without the assistance of the doctor.

Physical therapies commonly used by physical therapists may also be employed. These include hot and cold applications, muscle stimulation, interferential therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, and diathermy.

Diet and nutrition also play a key role in the health of the cervical spine. Proper nutrients matter a great deal. Without them, the cervical spine and the rest of the body are less able to remain healthy. They are also less able to heal once injured. If your diet and nutritional status are poor, we can help get you on track.

Healthy Living Tips For Neck and Upper Back Pain

Regular spinal checkups. Periodic spinal adjustments help maintain proper alignment and functioning of the neck and upper back. This minimizes the stresses on structures of the cervical and thoracic spine. Also, keeping the nervous system free from interference ensures proper communication within the body, keeping you happy and healthy.

Practice proper posture, lifting, and ergonomics. Practicing proper posture, lifting techniques and ergonomics is key to reducing neck and back injuries at work and play. It also minimizes future recurrences of past injuries. For more info, check out the “Ergonomics” and “Posture” sections of our site.

Regular exercise. Routine physical activity keeps the heart healthy. It also keeps the spine and the rest of the body strong and healthy. An effective exercise program should consist of a minimum of 3 sessions per week for 40 minutes. Involve friends and family, mix up the activities, keep it fun and stay consistent!

Proper diet and nutrition. Providing your body with the proper fuel increases performance. It reduces the likelihood of injury and sickness and speeds recovery after injury. It also keeps you feeling good. Like the rest of us, you may be finding it difficult to get all the nutrients your body needs. If so, it’s probably time to supplement. For information on nutritional supplements, check out the ” Health Products ” section of our site.

Utilize stress management techniques. Stress is most often carried in the shoulders, upper back, and yes, neck. While stress can’t be totally eliminated there are effective techniques to help bring it under control. Check out the “Wellness Center” for more information on stress management or contact our office for an appointment.

CAUSES OF NECK PAIN

There are many causes of neck pain. Some causes result from acute injuries which cannot be avoided, such as an automobile accident resulting in a whiplash-type injury. Other causes can be avoided. They result from the use of “bad” or improper habits and techniques, such as poor posture and improper lifting. These “other causes” make up the majority of neck pain causes. They can be effectively treated once the cause or causes are identified. The appropriate measures to avoid these “bad” and improper habits and techniques must then be implemented.

Some of the more common causes of neck pain include:

• Incomplete rehabilitation of past injuries
• Lack of proper and periodic spinal alignments
• Presence of cervical spine subluxations
• Whiplash-type injuries
• Improper workstation setup
• Poor posture
• Prolonged sitting
• Prolonged use of non-ergonomically designed equipment
• Excessive repetitive neck motions
• Improper telephone techniques
• Excessive mental stress
• Physical inactivity
• Poor diet and nutritional practices