Posts Tagged ‘headache’
Headaches Are A Pain In The Neck
Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always responsible for our stiff and painful neck when we arise in the morning. We also try to figure out what is occurring when we move our neck suddenly and feel a sharp pain that feels as if something has suddenly slipped out of position or is pinching a “nerve.” It is helpful to understand that most neck problems are hardly ever caused by a single incident, but usually by the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of suitable exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Obviously, some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.
To understand neck pain, it is important to have knowledge of the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the neck are made up of posterior joints, called facets, that connect vertebrae to one another and serve to pilot the motion of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, comprised of tough cartilage, link the “bodies” of the vertebrae. This dense cartilage surrounds the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The primary function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. Spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae and provide energy to muscles and organs of the body. Additionally, they carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain. The nerves that exit from the neck are assigned to the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The neck has a natural forward curve when viewed from the side that helps correctly balance the weight of the head, as well as to decrease stress on the neck joints. For more information please feel free to visit your Chiropractor.
Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use
A larger majority of people are now earning a wage sitting at a desk in front of a computer. The use of computers has risen dramatically, and many individuals spend eight to ten hours a day slumped over the keyboard and staring at the monitor. Sitting with the head in a forward bent position (the posture most computer users take on), puts tremendous strain on neck ligaments and muscles. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and cause more stress on the surrounding tissue of the neck. All of this can lead to spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the principal causes of spinal nerve inflammation. In addition to general pain, spinal nerve pain in the neck can generate symptoms including headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.
Headaches and Chiropractic Care
Headaches or migraines are frequently associated with dysfunction of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their normal position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are related to structures in the head are stretched or irritated thus creating symptoms from a dull ache to throbbing pain. In many cases the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, can also refer pain to the head. Many other factors are associated with headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Still one must always look at the tissues and alignment of the neck when considering the basis for headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to extremely valuable in the treatment of headaches. Your Chiropractor can give you further information regarding treatment and pain relief.
Whiplash and Chiropractic Care
Unfortunately, many people are involved in car accidents. Rear-end collisions are the most common. During such an accident, the passenger in the front automobile gets his or her head forcibly jerked backward and then forward causing harm to the structures of the back and front of the neck. Such a powerful force can cause damage to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Whiplash injury includes neck pain and immobility, and other symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and should pain, tingling in the hands and fingers, and weakness of the arms and hand. It is crucial to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. More often than not in almost all cases, the injuries are principally to the soft tissues and joints. Proper treatment is vital in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Chiropractor is has years of experience in treating whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.