Neck Pain FAQs
If you experience sudden or long-term neck pain in this article will help you understand some of the symptoms, possible causes and things you should know about neck pain and visiting a chiropractor.
When dealing with personal discomfort, pain and injury it is best to understand what you are feeling and what your body is telling you in order to properly give a medical history of the problem to your chiropractor.
The Cervical Spine Neck pain or cervical pain resides in the cervical spine which is a major supportive and complex structure for your body.
It supports the head which can weigh as much as 15 pounds and rotates in a number of directions including forward, backward, side to side and rotates.
This amount of mobility is found nowhere else through the spinal structure.
In addition to these facts, four arteries and veins run through the neck providing blood and oxygen from the heart to the brain.
Causes of Neck Pain There are many causes for neck pain and you should consider all of them before ruling them out.
The most common of course is injury and whiplash sustained through variety of ways either through blunt force trauma, unnatural movements, or hypertension and hyperflexion injuries generally from auto accidents.
There are also a number of causes of neck pain due to degenerative disorders as we age.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common aging diseases that progressively deteriorate the cartilage in our joints and creating bone spurs that can be quite painful.
Spinal stenosis causes neural pathways to constrict pinching nerves and causing pain and numbness in localized areas due to the pinched nerves.
Degenerative disc disease causes bulging and herniated spinal discs by becoming less hydrated and reducing elasticity in the spinal range of motion.
Other areas of our life can also cause chronic or acute neck pain including obesity, lack of exercise, poor posture, and weak abdominal muscles.
In the most serious cases spinal infection, tumors, fractures, and spinal cord compression can often cause neck pain.
Ask the Right Questions With any injury proper documentation or simply recalling symptoms and causes accurately can help lead to an effective diagnosis and chiropractic care program that can reduce pain and increase mobility sooner.
An effective chiropractor will always conduct a thorough diagnosis procedure that includes an oral examination, a physical examination, a neurological examination and even possibly radiographic studies.
During the oral examination a medical history should be presented providing as much details about all aspects of your health and life to help provide a clear picture.
During a physical examination the chiropractor will be able to measure range of motion, mobility, posture, vertebral alignment and even the curvature of your spine.
Neurological examinations test muscle strength, reflexes, pain and even sensory or motor changes.
Radiographic studies refer to possible x-rays or an MRI to discover further neurological symptoms or bone issues such as fracture or herniated discs.
When dealing with personal discomfort, pain and injury it is best to understand what you are feeling and what your body is telling you in order to properly give a medical history of the problem to your chiropractor.
The Cervical Spine Neck pain or cervical pain resides in the cervical spine which is a major supportive and complex structure for your body.
It supports the head which can weigh as much as 15 pounds and rotates in a number of directions including forward, backward, side to side and rotates.
This amount of mobility is found nowhere else through the spinal structure.
In addition to these facts, four arteries and veins run through the neck providing blood and oxygen from the heart to the brain.
Causes of Neck Pain There are many causes for neck pain and you should consider all of them before ruling them out.
The most common of course is injury and whiplash sustained through variety of ways either through blunt force trauma, unnatural movements, or hypertension and hyperflexion injuries generally from auto accidents.
There are also a number of causes of neck pain due to degenerative disorders as we age.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common aging diseases that progressively deteriorate the cartilage in our joints and creating bone spurs that can be quite painful.
Spinal stenosis causes neural pathways to constrict pinching nerves and causing pain and numbness in localized areas due to the pinched nerves.
Degenerative disc disease causes bulging and herniated spinal discs by becoming less hydrated and reducing elasticity in the spinal range of motion.
Other areas of our life can also cause chronic or acute neck pain including obesity, lack of exercise, poor posture, and weak abdominal muscles.
In the most serious cases spinal infection, tumors, fractures, and spinal cord compression can often cause neck pain.
Ask the Right Questions With any injury proper documentation or simply recalling symptoms and causes accurately can help lead to an effective diagnosis and chiropractic care program that can reduce pain and increase mobility sooner.
An effective chiropractor will always conduct a thorough diagnosis procedure that includes an oral examination, a physical examination, a neurological examination and even possibly radiographic studies.
During the oral examination a medical history should be presented providing as much details about all aspects of your health and life to help provide a clear picture.
During a physical examination the chiropractor will be able to measure range of motion, mobility, posture, vertebral alignment and even the curvature of your spine.
Neurological examinations test muscle strength, reflexes, pain and even sensory or motor changes.
Radiographic studies refer to possible x-rays or an MRI to discover further neurological symptoms or bone issues such as fracture or herniated discs.
