If we awaken in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the propensity 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 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.” It is important to understand that most neck problems are rarely caused by a single incident, but instead by the cumulative effects of incorrect sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of proper exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Naturally, some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

To understand neck pain, it is important 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 link vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of dense cartilage that surrounds a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. In a canal located between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves go out from 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 regarding pain, touch, position, temperature, as well as other senses.  The nerves that leave from the neck are in charge of 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 lessens stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your Colorado Springs Chiropractor.

Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use

A larger majority of 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 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. All of this can lead to spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the main causes of spinal nerve irritation. Besides general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can produce symptoms like 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 dysfunction of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their essential position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are related to structures in the head are stretched or agitated thus producing 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.  Of course there are other factors related to 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 primary consideration when treating headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to extremely valuable in the treatment of headaches. Your Colorado Springs 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 car is forcibly jerked back, and then forward, causing injury to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. Such a intense force 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 extremely important in order to rule out a fracture. However in almost all cases, the injuries are principally to the soft tissues and joints. Proper management is vital in recovery from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is extremely knowledgeable in the area of whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.

If we awaken in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the propensity 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 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.” It is important to understand that most neck problems are rarely caused by a single incident, but instead by the cumulative effects of incorrect sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of proper exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Naturally, some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

To understand neck pain, it is important 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 link vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of dense cartilage that surrounds a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. In a canal located between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves go out from 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 regarding pain, touch, position, temperature, as well as other senses.  The nerves that leave from the neck are in charge of 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 lessens stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your Colorado Springs Chiropractor.

Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use

A larger majority of 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 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. All of this can lead to spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the main causes of spinal nerve irritation. Besides general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can produce symptoms like 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 dysfunction of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their essential position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are related to structures in the head are stretched or agitated thus producing 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.  Of course there are other factors related to 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 primary consideration when treating headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to extremely valuable in the treatment of headaches. Your Colorado Springs 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 car is forcibly jerked back, and then forward, causing injury to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. Such a intense force 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 extremely important in order to rule out a fracture. However in almost all cases, the injuries are principally to the soft tissues and joints. Proper management is vital in recovery from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is extremely knowledgeable in the area of whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.