Chiropractor Chicago Explains: How to Relieve Neck Pain and Headache
Whenever we wake up in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the inclination is to blame the condition on our pillow, bed, or sleep position during that night. We also make an effort to figure out what is occurring when we move our neck suddenly and feel a sharp pain that feels as if something has suddenly slipped out of position or is pinching a “nerve.” Though it may seem so, one isolated occurrence is seldom the cause of most neck problems, but instead the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, poor work and lifestyle habits, and lack of healthy exercise for strength and flexibility. 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 important to have knowledge 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 attach vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs link the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of strong cartilage that surrounds 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 leave 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 concerning pain, touch, position, temperature, as well as other senses. 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 properly 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 chiropractor.
Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use
More and more people are now making their living 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 adopt), puts enormous strain on neck ligaments and muscles. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and create 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 primary causes of spinal nerve inflammation. Besides general pain, spinal nerve pain 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 misalignments of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their natural position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are associated with structures in the head are stretched or inflamed 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. Many other factors are related to headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Still, the alignment of the neck and the irritation of surrounding tissues should be a primary consideration when treating headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to singularly valuable in the treatment of headaches. Your chiropractor can give you further information regarding treatment and pain relief.
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 forcefully wrenched back, and then forward, causing harm to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. This kind of trauma is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force produced by such an accident is very intense and can cause injury to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. In addition to 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 associated with whiplash injury. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are crucial in order to rule out a fracture. However in many cases, the injuries are mainly to the soft tissues and joints. Proper treatment is vital in recovery from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your chiropractor is educated to understand whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from start to finish.
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