How to Ease Neck Pain and Headache

Posted on June 5, 2009
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Chiropractic and Neck Pain

Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always explanation 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 singular event is seldom 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. Of course, some neck misalignments are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

To understand neck pain, it is helpful to be aware of the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is guided by neck vertebrae that are composed of posterior joints, called facets, that attach vertebrae to one another. Inter-vertebral discs, comprised of strong cartilage, connect the “bodies” of the vertebrae. This strong cartilage covers the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The main function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. In a canal located 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 regarding pain, touch, position, temperature, as well as other senses.  The nerves that go out from the neck are responsible for 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 considerably over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, a large number 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 tremendous 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. Unhealthy posture and repetitive stress can produce spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the principal causes of spinal nerve irritation. Besides general pain, spinal nerve pain in the neck can produce 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. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are caused when the cervical vertebrae lose their essential position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, related to structures in the head are stretched or inflamed. 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, the alignment of the neck and the agitation of surrounding tissues should be a main consideration when treating headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to extremely beneficial 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. Rear-end collisions are the most common. During such an accident, the passenger in the front automobile gets his or her head powerfully jolted backward and then forward causing damage 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 generated by such an accident is very intense and can cause damage 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 coincidental with whiplash injury. It is extremely important to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. However in many cases, the injuries are principally to the soft tissues and joints. Proper care is crucial in healing 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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