Taking the Kink Out of Neck Pain

Neck pain, also called cervicalgia is a common problem for many people. It is estimated that two-thirds of people suffer from neck pain at one time or another in their lives. In 2010, 5% of the global population had neck pain. Although the pain is felt in the neck, it can also be due to a number of other issues with the spine. Your neck is comprised of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the upper torso. You have cervical discs to absorb shock between the bones. The bones, muscles, and ligaments of your neck help support your head and allow it to move. Any type of inflammation, injury, or abnormality can cause neck pain or stiffness. Neck pain may occur in response to tightness in the muscles of the neck and/or the upper back. Pinched nerves in the cervical vertebrae can also be to blame. Joint disturbance in the neck or the upper back can lead to neck pain.

Most of the time, neck pain is not due to a serious condition and can be alleviated in a few days with rest. In rare cases, a chiropractor’s care may be required. This is especially true if the pain has lasted for over a week, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms.

What Causes Neck Pain?

There are quite a few reasons for neck pain to occur:

• • Muscle strain and tension: Usually due to activities and behaviors such as:
    • Improper posture
    • Jerking your neck during exercise
    • Working at a desk too long without changing position or stretching
    • Sleeping with your neck in a wrong position
  • Injury: The neck is very susceptible to injury. Trips and falls, car accidents, sporting injuries, or any trauma involving a blow to the head or neck can cause injury. If a fracture occurs to the neck or cervical vertebrae, there is a danger of the spinal cord being damaged. If you have whiplash, this means your head has been suddenly jerked.

• • • Heart attack: Neck pain can be a symptom of a heart attack, but heart attacks are usually accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
      • Shortness of breath
      • Vomiting
      • Arm or jaw pain
      • Sweating
      • Nausea
    • Meningitis: This is an inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and is accompanied by a fever and stiff neck. It is considered a medical emergency and you should seek help immediately.
    • Rheumatoid arthritis: Swelling of the joints, bone spurs, and pain in the neck area.
    • Osteoporosis: Because this condition weakens bones, small fractures can occur in the neck.
    • Fibromyalgia: A condition causing muscle pain throughout the body, particularly in the neck and shoulders.
    • Spondylosis: Degeneration of the cervical discs, also called osteoarthritis of the neck.
    • Herniated cervical disc: When a disc protrudes, as from trauma, it puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
    • Spinal stenosis: The spinal column narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots.
    • Congenital abnormalities
    • Infections
    • Abscesses
    • Tumors
    • Cancer of the spine

Caring for Neck Pain at Home

If you are dealing with minor pain or stiffness, the following may help ease your discomfort:

• Apply ice for the first three days. Then begin to apply heat.
• Take a few days to rest and do not engage in your normal routine of sports, heavy lifting, and other activities that make your pain worse. Begin back on your normal routine at a slow pace.
• Exercise your neck. Slowly stretch your head first to one side and then the other. Also, use up and down movements slowly.
• Always practice using good posture.
• Never hold the phone between your ear and shoulder.
• Don’t sit in one place for too long. Change position often.
• Neck massages can do wonders for neck pain.
• Never use a neck brace or collar without your chiropractor saying it is ok. This can actually make your problem worse in some cases.
• Use a pillow with proper neck support for sleeping.

If you have tried these suggestions and are still suffering from neck pain, it may be time to take things to the next level and seek the care of a professional. A good place to start is here at N8 Upper Cervical. We are upper cervical chiropractors who have been specially trained to help people with neck pain and other issues that come about due to a problem in the upper cervical spine.

Neck Pain and Upper Cervical Care

If neck pain is persistent, it may be due to a problem in the alignment of the bones of the upper cervical spine. If these bones have become misaligned due to an accident, a simple trip and fall, or a sporting injury, they can lead to a variety of problems throughout the body, including neck pain. A misalignment in this area puts pressure on the brainstem and causes it to send improper signals to and from the brain and body. This can cause such issues as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, migraines, and many, many others.

We use a method that is based on scientific measurements and technological advances to help locate and then correct any problems that may lie in this area. We are not required to pop the neck or crack the neck to get positive results. We encourage the bones to move back into place naturally, resulting in a longer-lasting adjustment. Results of improvement have been seen in just a few days in some cases. To ensure your neck is performing at its optimum, come visit us today.

About the Author

Dr. Miguel Flores, D.C

N8 Upper Cervical Chiropractic

When I discovered Chiropractic. My father took me to see a chiropractor, the first in the Philippines at the time. He examined me, found the cause of the problem and gave me my first adjustment- one that would set me towards a path of true health and well being.