Neck Pain

The neck is an extremely important part of our body, as if its functions are interrupted for even a few seconds we would lose consciousness and begin to die. Blood vessels, nerves, the thyroid, the parathyroid, the larynx, esophagus, trachea, brainstem, spinal cord, spinal column, and the meninges are all housed in the neck. With all of these components in the neck it is still capable of balancing the relatively heavy skull, 7 to 10 pounds, and enabling it to tilt, twist and turn in several directions.

The Cervical Spine (Neck)

Neck bones are called cervical vertebrae. The atlas, or first cervical vertebra is directly below your skull. The axis is the second cervical vertebrae and it permits the head to turn and tilt. The Cervical vertebrae are numbered, the atlas is C1, the axis is C2, and the following are C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7.

The spinal cord needs protection from damage; hence it is covered by bone called vertebrae.  It is through these vertebrae that the spinal cord travels, and the bones stacked to protect them are called the spinal column.

The vertebrae are separated by discs and connected by ligaments and tendons. Between the vertebrae are openings, intervertebral foramina, which are filled with nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, fat and connective tissue.

Neck Problems

Neck damage is very common because of all the specific functions of the neck. Neck trouble may come from trauma, whiplash, a fall, an accident, spinal nerves stress, spinal imbalance, vertebral subluxation, stress that is emotional in nature, or even a bad day at work or home.  This damage to the nerves of the neck may cause dizziness, vision problems, ringing in the ears, headaches, nasal problems, facial pain, tongue pain, ringing in the ears, reduced movement and pain of the head, neck, shoulder, arm, wrist, hands, fingers, and severe tissue damage.

Disc Degeneration

When a spine degenerates the bones begin to deform, the discs swell, then shrink; the ligaments, tendons and muscles begin to harden and weaken; and the entire spinal column loses its balance, flexibility, stability and strength. Spinal degeneration is caused by long-standing vertebral subluxations, and it can also affect body chemistry and internal organs. Disc degeneration is common.

Disc Herniation

Disc herniation or rupture occurs when the disc between the two vertebrae breaks off and irritates the nearby tissue or its soft center oozes out and makes its way into places that it does not belong. Disc herniation is relatively rare.

Spinal Imbalance

If your head is not properly balanced your body will react the same was as if you were carrying a heavy object around out in front of you for a long period of time, you will start to suffer from fatigue, stress on your neck and pain.

Arthritis

When the normal curve of the neck straightens or becomes curved in the wrong direction the body may experience arthritic changes over a period of time. These changes may include lipping or spurring, bony growths, disc thinning, disc degeneration, deterioration of ligaments and muscles, and deterioration of other structures. These irregularities area part of the body’s defense mechanism to stabilize an off-balance spine.  Recent studies show that some of the effects of osteoarthritis may be reversed through chiropractic care.

The Medical Approach

In the medical field, neck pain is commonly controlled by drug therapy, rather than locating the cause of the pain. 

Spinal Nerve Stress

You may suffer from spinal nerve stress for years before a symptom appears, but while symptoms are absent the damage to the body is being done over time.  This is why a chiropractic check-up and maintenance is very important. A vertebral subluxation, diagnosed in its early stage is easier to correct than a subluxation that has progressed to the point of actual symptoms. Just as we should see our dentist regularly, we should see our chiropractor regularly.  Like dental care, if a cavity is located when it is small it may be filled, but if one waits until pain is noticed that cavity may have already damaged the tooth beyond repair, the same holds true for vertebral subluxation.

The Chiropractic Approach

Your Chiropractors goal is to relieve your body of vertebral subluxations so that your body may function properly.  Uncorrected vertebral subluxations can cause a weakening of the spinal muscles, stretch and deform the spinal column, cartilage, discs and vertebrae. This causes a lack of energy, early aging and fatigue.  But the most prevalent result of spinal nerve stress is the irritation of the nervous system and brain stem.  This irritation is an interference that interrupts the information and energy flow to the various parts of the body and lowers our natural resistance to sickness and disease. Chiropractors are trained to locate and correct vertebral subluxation through examination and spinal adjustment. The adjustments relieve the nerve stress and assist in restoration of body function. Proper functioning of the nervous system through chiropractic treatment is one of the best defenses against conditions and diseases that one would normally not be susceptible to.