Neck Pain
Not long ago, the most common reason to see a chiropractor was low back pain. People were outside working physical jobs, kids were outside playing in the yard and injuries happened. Now, with many people working at the computer, kids watching more television and playing more video games, and people constantly staring at their phones, neck pain has risen considerably.
Anatomy
The neck is made up of 7 vertebra, which surround and protect your spinal cord. In between these vertebra (except between the first 2 bones of your neck) are discs which act like shock absorbers in the spine. Ligaments help hold the vertebrae in place and tendons attach muscles to each vertebra. When in their normal position, muscles pull each vertebrae to allow them to move upon the disc so you can bend in all directions and help you support the weight of your body. Nerves come off the spinal cord, in between each vertebrae and go to every cell in your body, carrying vital information to and from your brain.
Another important part of the cervical spine, or neck, is the curve. When looking at the spine from the side, there should be curves. The curve in your neck helps hold the weight of your head, keeps tension off the spinal cord and helps protect against injury.
Any of the different parts of the neck can become injured and lead to pain.
Subluxations Interfere With Your Body’s Ability to Heal
Often times, with repetitive injuries, falls, accidents or emotional stress, these vertebrae can lose their normal misalignment. This can cause irritation to the nerve coming off in between those vertebrae and leading to nerve interference. We call this misalignment a subluxation. Subluxations cause your body to work at a low level, and if left over time, can lead to degeneration and injury.
Causes
There are many causes of neck pain: trauma, degenerative diseases, muscle strains or ligament sprains. What we are seeing more and more are neck pain from poor posture. Between the computer and our phones, we are looking down a lot! This is most prevalent in kids, where the problem is even more significant because they are also looking down and studying at desks as well. These small, repetitive insults to the spine cause long term changes. The curve that normally is present in the cervical spine straightens, causing a pulling or tension the spinal cord. Add in subluxation misalignments and you have a recipe for long term health detriments!
Subluxations in your neck can interfere with everything that your body does!
The nerves traveling to the rest of you body come through the cervical spine, especially C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis). If the nerves are interfered with at this level or if the spinal cord is stretched abnormally due to the loss of the curve, it could lead to problems anywhere else in the body!
You Can Heal!
Luckily, chiropractors are the only doctors trained to locate, analyze and correct subluxations. Once these subluxations are corrected, the body is able to function and heal the way it knows how! Often prevention is the best medicine. Getting your spine checked on a regular basis helps keep the vertebra in proper alignment, and may slow degenerative changes of the spine that lead to so many ailments.
I have been receiving chiropractic treatment from Dr. Dan for 6 months now. It has been life changing for me. I had severe nerve pain and numbness 24/7. It now occurs infrequently. I have my active lifestyle back and am very thankful to Dr. Dan
Jan D. • Patient
If you having neck pain, getting it taken care of as soon as possible is critical for you to get good results. The neck pain may go away temporarily, but it always comes back, and comes back worse!