Chiropractic & Neck Pain
Chiropractic Care For Neck Pain or Injury:
Your neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small bones called 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.
Sleeping problems and insomnia: Sleeping problems are some other additional causes that reduce attribute of healthy, longer and harder erections during the cialis de prescription time of intimacy. If a person is not sexually aroused even when he commits himself, it can be defined as the collection of several factors that must change: (All may not apply to everyone) Stop using tobacco Limit sodium, alcohol bulk viagra and caffeine Utilize relaxation techniques Lose weight with a healthy diet Exercise regularly Most of these are pretty much common knowledge and simple enough. With the help of the herbal treatment the size of the penis is herbal, and the medicines are all US FDA approved and they increase the blood flow quality to the organ that makes it easier to viagra pill on line attain and sustain erection as required while intercourse. This leads to various organ dysfunctions. generic viagra line see description now
Common 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 mechanics, causing the neck to bend abnormally to compensate. Stress and emotional tension can cause muscles to tighten and contract, resulting in pain and stiffness. Postural stress can also contribute to chronic neck pain with symptoms extending into the upper back and the arms.
Conservative Care For Neck Pain:
Examination & Diagnosis
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 perform complete physical and neurological exams. In the physical exam, your doctor will observe your posture, range of motion, and physical condition, noting movements that are restricted or that cause pain. Your doctor will feel your spine, note its curvature and function throughout different motions, as well as feeling throughout the associated muscles for spasm. A check of your shoulders, and upper arms may also be in required dependent upon your complaint. During the neurological examination, your doctor will test your reflexes, muscle strength, pain distribution, superficial sensation, cranial nerves as well as any special test for condition specific neurological compromise.
Special Tests
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 computerized axial tomography scan (a CT or CAT scan) or a magnetic resonance imaging test (an MRI) can show bulging discs and herniations. If nerve damage is suspected, your doctor may order a special test called electromyography (an EMG) to measure how quickly your nerves respond. Although they do provide additional information about your individual condition, recent medical literature suggests that these special tests are often unnecessary. Subsequently, a good chiropractor will order them sparingly.
Chiropractors are conservative care doctors; their scope of practice does not commonly 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/infection, 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.
Chiropractic Treatment:
Neck Adjustments
A neck adjustment (also known as a cervical manipulation) is a precise procedure applied to the joints of the neck by hand. A neck adjustment works to improve the mobility of the spine and to restore range of motion; it can also decrease pain, and 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 after being adjusted.
Physical Therapy
Studies have concluded that the vast majority of chiropractic physicians use adjunct physical therapy in combination with neck adjustments and soft tissue mobilization. The most common physical therapy modalities used by chiropractors are motor nerve stimulation, ultrasound, heat, ice, and cold laser therapy. These adjunct procedures, in combination with manipulation/mobilization and regular exercise have been shown to be very effective in treating most types of non-complicated neck pain.
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 mobilization, massage or rehabilitative exercises, or something else.
Exercise
After getting their patients out of pain a science-based chiropractor will transition their patients into “Active Treatment” programs involving direct patient participation. These active treatments are designed to give their patients the tools they need to safely and effectively prevent future injury and recurrence of pain without long term chiropractic care. They may include regular exercise, stretching, occupational and lifestyle modification, healthy nutritional changes and other home care rehab programs.