How Good Posture Can Help Neck Pain and Headaches
Whenever we wake up in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the tendency 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 happening 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.” Though it may seem so, one isolated occurrence is rarely the cause of most neck problems, but more often than not the cumulative effects of incorrect sitting posture, bad work and lifestyle habits, and lack of proper exercise for strength and flexibility. Naturally, some neck challenges are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.
To understand neck pain, it is necessary 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. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are comprised of a form of strong cartilage that encases a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The primary function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. In a canal positioned between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae and provide 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 exit 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 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 Colorado Springs Chiropractor.
Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use
Computer use has risen significantly over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, a substantial amount of 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 immense strain on neck ligaments and muscles. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and cause 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 main causes of spinal nerve irritation. Conjointly with general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can cause 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 produced when the cervical vertebrae lose their normal position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, associated with structures in the head are stretched or inflamed. In many instances the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, 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. But, the alignment of the neck and the irritation of surrounding tissues should be a primary 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
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 vehicle is powerfully jolted back, and then forward, causing damage 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 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 most cases, the injuries are mainly to the soft tissues and joints. Proper treatment is essential in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is educated to understand whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.
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