Neck Pain Causes and Treatment
Neck pain has many etiologies, most of which will respond well to Chiropractic care. In our office we utilise additional modalities including electric muscle stimulation, Ultra sound, Shortwave Diathermy, exercises, acupuncture, applied Kinesiology and the new Asyra Quantum Biofeedback. Chiropractic is still the primary treatment needed to correct spinal misalignment's. As a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association the below article on Neck pain clearly states my purpose and treatment methodology.Clifford Fruithandler DC
Margate Chiropractor at Northwest Medical PlazaChiropractic and Neck Pain: Conservative Care of Cervical Pain, Injury
Your neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. Incredibly, the cervical spine supports the full weight of your head, which is on average about 12 pounds. While the cervical spine can move your head in nearly every direction, this flexibility makes the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.
The neck�s susceptibility to injury is due in part to biomechanics. Activities and events that affect cervical biomechanics include extended sitting, repetitive movement, accidents, falls and blows to the body or head, normal aging, and everyday wear and tear. Neck pain can be very bothersome, and it can have a variety of causes.
Here are some of the most typical causes of neck pain:
Injury and Accidents: A sudden forced movement of the head or
neck in any direction and the resulting rebound in the opposite
direction is known as whiplash. The sudden whipping motion injures the
surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head. Muscles react
by tightening and contracting, creating muscle fatigue, which can result
in pain and stiffness. Severe whiplash can also be associated with
injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, muscles, and
nerve roots. Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash.
Growing Older: Degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease directly affect the spine.
- Osteoarthritis, a common joint disorder, causes progressive deterioration of cartilage. The body reacts by forming bone spurs that affect joint motion.
- Spinal stenosis causes the small nerve passageways in the vertebrae to narrow, compressing and trapping nerve roots. Stenosis may cause neck, shoulder, and arm pain, as well as numbness, when these nerves are unable to function normally.
- Degenerative disc disease can cause reduction in the elasticity and height of intervertebral discs. Over time, a disc may bulge or herniate, causing tingling, numbness, and pain that runs into the arm.
Daily Life: Poor posture, obesity, and weak abdominal muscles often disrupt spinal balance, causing the neck to bend forward to compensate. Stress and emotional tension can cause muscles to tighten and contract, resulting in pain and stiffness. Postural stress can contribute to chronic neck pain with symptoms extending into the upper back and the arms.
Chiropractic Care of Neck Pain
During your visit, your doctor of chiropractic will perform exams to
locate the source of your pain and will ask you questions about your
current symptoms and remedies you may have already tried. For example:
- When did the pain start?
- What have you done for your neck pain?
- Does the pain radiate or travel to other parts of your body?
- Does anything reduce the pain or make it worse?
Your doctor of chiropractic will also do physical and neurological exams. In the physical exam, your doctor will observe your posture, range of motion, and physical condition, noting movement that causes pain. Your doctor will feel your spine, note its curvature and alignment, and feel for muscle spasm. A check of your shoulder area is also in order. During the neurological exam, your doctor will test your reflexes, muscle strength, other nerve changes, and pain spread.
In some instances, your chiropractor might order tests to help diagnose your condition. An x-ray can show narrowed disc space, fractures, bone spurs, or arthritis. A computerised axial tomography scan (a CT or CAT scan) or a magnetic resonance imaging test (an MRI) can show bulging discs and herniation. If nerve damage is suspected, your doctor may order a special test called electrocardiography (an EMG) to measure how quickly your nerves respond.
Chiropractors are conservative care doctors; their scope of practice does not include the use of drugs or surgery. If your chiropractor diagnoses a condition outside of this conservative scope, such as a neck fracture or an indication of an organic disease, he or she will refer you to the appropriate medical physician or specialist. He or she may also ask for permission to inform your family physician of the care you are receiving to ensure that your chiropractic care and medical care are properly coordinated.
Neck Adjustments
A neck adjustment (also known as a cervical manipulation) is a precise
procedure applied to the joints of the neck, usually by hand. A neck
adjustment works to improve the mobility of the spine and to restore
range of motion; it can also increase movement of the adjoining muscles.
Patients typically notice an improved ability to turn and tilt the
head, and a reduction of pain, soreness, and stiffness.
Of course, your chiropractor will develop a program of care that may combine more than one type of treatment, depending on your personal needs. In addition to manipulation, the treatment plan may include mobilisation, massage or rehabilitative exercises, or something else.
Research Supporting Chiropractic Care
One of the most recent reviews of scientific literature found evidence
that patients with chronic neck pain enrolled in clinical trials
reported significant improvement following chiropractic spinal
manipulation.
As part of the literature review, published in the March/April 2007 issue of the Journal of
Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, the researchers
reviewed nine previously published trials and found high-quality
evidence that patients with chronic neck pain showed significant
pain-level improvements following spinal manipulation. No trial group
was reported as having remained unchanged, and all groups showed
positive changes up to 12 weeks post-treatment.
Car Accident, Auto Accidents, Accident, Car Crash, Lawyers?? What to do first??
If you are in an automobile accident
the first thing to do is see if everyone is all right. If anyone is unconscious,
bleeding or stuck in a car call 911 for Fire and or ambulance. Stop
any bleeding as soon as possible and it is usually safest to leave the person
where they are until EMS comes. If all are alert and ambulatory, keep
your calm and either wait for police or exchange insurance information.
If you are not at fault, be sure you get the licence number and drivers license
information. In today's technology world most cell phones have
cameras. A few pictures of the scene, damages and others involved can be
helpful in the future. Be sure to email them to yourself if possible and
you will have a permanent record.
SEVERE INJURY, loss of consciousness, lacerations that are bleeding, pain
radiating into the arms or legs , or moderate dizziness its always safest to go
to the emergency room as soon as possible. The quickest route is by
ambulance. Do not drive if you feel woozy as you may pass out at the
wheel.
Mild to moderate injuries with mild headache, neck and back ache without
passing out and you have the ability to fully move around its OK to go home and
see your Doctor the next day. If symptoms get worse, the emergency room,
Urgent Care and your local Chiropractor are usually only a few minutes
away.
RICE the injuries: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is normal
for pain to be a bit worse the next morning. If you are having headaches,
Neck, Back pain see your Chiropractor or PCP for evaluation.
Chiropractors specialise in treating trauma to the spine and studies show
patients are happier with the care compared to taking medications. Your
PCP or Chiropractor will guide you to where you need to be. Below is an
article from the ACA describing Whiplash or neck injuries due to an
acceleration injury.