Neck Pain

neck shoulder back BW 2 600x The neck is also known as the cervical spine. In terms of painful complaints, it is second only to the lower back. The neck is designed to provide support for the head while allowing an incredible amount of movement, giving you the ability to look up or down and to turn in extreme ranges, as in backing your car out of a parking spot.

Wonders of the Neck

The neck contains 36 separate joints, the most complex joint system in the human body.
The neck is a mobile cylinder of bones that protects its delicate nerve system contents.
The neck effortlessly balances a 10-15 lb ball ....the head.
The neck moves over 600 times per hour.
The neck is subject to stress and strain in ordinary everyday activities such as: speaking, gesturing, rising, sitting, walking, turning about, sleeping etc.
The necks position discloses mood and attitude: The neck down suggests - depression, withdrawal, sadness, mourning, prayer The neck up suggests - optimism, confidence, “chin-up” attitude.
A “pain in the neck” is such an unpleasant experience that it is used as an expression for an annoying person or event.

Causes of Neck Pain

Pain Neck pain can come from a variety of different sources. Some of the more common conditions that cause neck pain are listed below:

Spinal Imbalance (Subluxation)
Disc Degeneration
Disc Herniation
Arthritic Degeneration
Spinal Stenosis
Muscle Strain

1. Spinal Imbalance (Subluxation): Misalignment or restricted movement of one or several segments within the neck leads to “Spinal Imbalance” and is a common cause of neck pain. The Chiropractic term for this is “Subluxation”. It simply means improper function or alignment within the neck. It would be similar to the front end of your car being out of alignment which leads to a “wobbly” or “shaky” ride. In the neck it leads to irritation of the nerves which in turn causes pain. Spinal imbalance can be effectively treated through the use of Chiropractic adjustments thus alleviating the neck pain.

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2. Disc Degeneration: The little cartilage pads that sit between the vertebrae are scientifically known as “vertebral disc’s. Due to either injury or age related wear and tear, these discs can deteriorate. When this occurs the disc begins to flatten and the vertebrae come closer together closing off the openings where the nerves make their exit. This in turn leads to irritation of the nerves which results in pain. Disc degeneration can be helped through a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, " Cox Flexion Distraction, physical therapy, nutritional supplementation, exercise and appropriate life style changes.

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3. Disc Herniation: Due to injury or strain the little cartilage pads that sit between the vertebrae can get damaged and shift causing them to bulge or herniate and contact the very delicate nerves in the area. This in turn can cause local neck pain or pain that travels all the way down the arm to the hand and fingers. Disc injuries can be effectively treated with Cox Flexion Distraction, a form of traction done by the doctor which helps to reduce the pressure inside the disc thus reducing or eliminating the disc bulge. For detailed information on this procedure click on the "Spinal Decompression" link on this web site.

4. Arthritic Degeneration: Due to age related wear and tear or a history of injury, the bony structures around the vertebrae can breakdown and deteriorate which is medically known as Osteoarthritis. This leads to the formation of bone spurs which can contact the delicate nerves in the area causing neck pain. Arthritic degeneration can be effectively treated with Cox Flexion Distraction, a form of traction done by the doctor that helps to separate the vertebrae and relieve the pressure on the nerve structures. Along with Chiropractic adjustments, the traction helps to restore movement in the arthritic areas making it less likely that the spurs will come into contact with the nerves. A good "joint formula" can also be helpful in the successful treatment of arthritic degeneration of the spine.

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5. Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces or openings in the spine resulting in compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It is the long term result of spinal degeneration or arthritis and is typically associated with disc degeneration and significant loss of disc height. It is primarily a condition of the elderly. When treated properly it can respond favorably to Chiropractic care. One study showed that lumbar spinal stenosis patients improved by 76% and disability improved by 73% in 57 patients treated with "Cox Flexion Distraction" which is a method used in this office.

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6. Muscle Strain: Due to overuse as in weekend sports or gardening or an event like a car accident, the muscles around the neck can be subject to more strain than they can handle thus injuring some of the muscle fibers. Medically this is known as muscle strain. Muscle strain leads to inflammation which in turn leads to neck pain. Through the use of Chiropractic adjustments, massage, physical therapy, exercise and appropriate lifestyle changes, muscle strain can be effectively treated and resolved thus eliminating the neck pain.