Can Neck Pain and Whiplash be helped by Chiropractic Care?

Introduction

Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always the reason for our stiff and painful neck when we arise in the morning. We also make an effort to figure out what is taking place 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 rarely the cause of most neck problems, but instead the cumulative effects of incorrect sitting posture, poor work and lifestyle habits, and lack of beneficial exercise for strength and flexibility. Naturally, some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

Anatomy

To understand neck pain, it is necessary to have knowledge of the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is guided by neck vertebrae that are comprised of posterior joints, called facets, that connect vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs link the bodies of the vertebrae and are comprised of a form of strong cartilage that covers a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. Spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae and supply 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 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 correctly 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 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 enormous 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 main causes of spinal nerve pain. In addition to general pain, spinal nerve inflammation in the neck can generate 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 usually associated with disorders of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their natural position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are connected with structures in the head are stretched or agitated thus causing symptoms from a dull ache to throbbing pain. In many conditions the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, can also refer pain to the head. Many other factors are associated with headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Still one must always look at the tissues and alignment of the neck when contemplating the cause of headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to extremely helpful in the treatment of headaches. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor can give you further information regarding treatment and pain relief.

Whiplash and Chiropractic Care

Many people are involved in car accidents. By far 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 vehicle gets his or her head forcefully jolted backward and then forward causing harm to the structures of the back and front of the neck. This type 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 associated with whiplash injury. It is vital to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. Usually 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 Colorado Springs Chiropractor is educated to understand whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from injury to recovery.