The cervical spine or neck begins at the skull base and it contains small vertebrae. It’s amazing but the cervical spine has the power to support the entire weight of our body, which on average weighs about twelve pounds. Although the cervical spine offers the head the ability to move in all directions, its flexibility is something that makes the neck susceptible to injury and pain.
The susceptibility of the neck is due in part to biomechanics. Events and activities that affect the biomechanics and cervical often include repetitive movement, extended sitting, falls, blows, accidents, normal aging or sudden movement of the head. When neck pain affects you, this turns out to be very bothersome and it has a wide variety of causes. Eventually, if the pain persists, even with medical care and medications, the final resort may include the need for Atlanta pain management, including physical therapy sessions and chiropractic care.
Several causes of neck pain are available; however, here are some of the typical causes of the pain:
Accidents and Injury:
Sudden or even forced movement of the neck or head in any direction may result in a rebound, often leading to whiplash in an opposite direction. Note that a sudden “whipping” motion could injure the supporting and surrounding tissues of the head and neck. The muscles then react by contracting and tightening, creating fatigue in the muscles, which could result in stiffness and pain. Usually, severe whiplash also has a link to some form of injury to the discs, invertebral joints, nerve roots, ligaments, and A common cause of whiplash includes accidents.
Another common joint disorder includes osteoarthritis, which causes deterioration of the cartilage in a progressive manner. The body then reacts as it forms bone spurs which affect the motion of the joints.
As you age, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc, spinal stenosis and other conditions affect the spine directly.
Often, this causes small nerve passageways that compressing, narrow and traps nerve roots. Eventually, this causes shoulder, neck, arm pain, and numbness when the nerves do not perform or function normally.
Degenerative Disc Diseases: This problem cause’s height and elasticity reduction of intervertebral discs. Over time, the disc will herniate or bulge, causing numbness, tingling, as well as pain in the arm
Obesity, poor posture, as well as weak abdominal muscles can disrupt the spinal balance, which would cause the neck to bend forward. Emotional tension and stress may also cause the muscles to tighten, which would contract and result in stiffness and pain. Usually, postural stress may contribute to neck pain along with chronic pain symptoms that extend to the arms and upper back.
Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain
When you visit your chiropractic Kroll Care specialist, their job is to perform a complete examination and locate the precise source of the pain you experience and they would ask you all the questions about your remedies and current symptoms that you must try already. As an example, you should consider:
- When did the pain all start?
- Does the pain travel or radiate to other parts of the body?
- What do you do for your neck pain?
- Does the pain reduce or worsen with time?
When you consult a chiropractor, they will carry out neurological and physical exams. During the physical exam, your chiropractor will then observe the range of motion, your posture, and your physical condition. Keep in mind that your surgeon would feel your spine, the alignment, and note its curvature, or fee the spasm of your muscles. They would also check your shoulder to see whether the area is in the right order. When the examination proceeds, your doctor will then test your muscle strength, reflexes, pain spread and nerve changes.
In some cases, your chiropractor would also conduct some tests to diagnose the condition of your problem. Usually, an x-ray could show some narrowed space in the disc, bone spurs, fractures, or arthritis. In some cases, a CAT, CT or computerized axial tomography, or an MRI to show signs of herniations or bulging discs. In cases of nerve damages, your doctor may also conduct a special EMG or electromyography to measure the rate at which your nerves respond.
Adjustments to the Neck
This also goes by with the term cervical manipulation, and it is a precise procedure that involves the application of pressure to the joints of the neck, often with the hand. Neck adjustments in this case help to promote mobility of the spine, and restore its range of motion. It also helps to increase the movement of muscles. Typically, patients will notice an improved ability to tilt and turn their head, soreness, and cause a reduction of pain and stiffness.
In addition, your chiropractor could develop a better care plan, where he or she would combine different treatment options, all depending on your personal needs. Along with manipulation, the plan of treatment would also include rehabilitative exercises, massage, and other options.