Chiropractor Resources, Chiropractic Techniques, Chiropractic Advice » Neck Pain Treatment

A Neck Specialist for Arthritis

echiropractor — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:02:03 +0000

Cervical spondylosis, or osteoarthritis of the neck, is a degenerative condition caused primarily by aging. Generally, the beginning stages of arthritis in the neck are seen around the age of 40 with bone spurs forming and eventually causing pain and pressure on spinal nerves, in some cases on the spinal cord itself. Wear and tear to the discs and joints as well as calcium buildup can also lead to arthritis in the neck. The onset of cervical spondylosis may be reported at an earlier age if previous spinal injury has taken place, if a patient is a heavy smoker or because of hereditary or congenital factors. The symptoms of cervical spondylosis include progressive neck stiffness, radiating pain into the shoulders and arms, and muscle weakness that affects the shoulders, arms and hands.

Treatment

While cervical spondylosis cannot be reversed, seeking a neck specialist for arthritis is recommended to slow the process while also providing a variable amount of pain relief and exercises to maintain range of motion. Seeking care from a chiropractic physician should occur when pain from arthritis is worsening or marked weakness is noted. X-rays are generally taken to provide information as to the curvature of the cervical spine as well as any narrowing of the disc spaces that may be present. Bone spurs will be seen on x-ray. Conservative treatment generally includes physical therapy exercises, traction, chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and acupuncture. As stated previously, any form of treatment will not reverse arthritis but can offer a patient maximum pain relief and an increased amount of cervical range of motion.

References Cited in this Article

www.about.com

www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

www.aaos.org

Neck Pain and Chiropractic: Cervical Facet Syndrome

echiropractor — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:57:42 +0000

Cervical facet syndrome is a condition in which the facet joints of the cervical spine become irritated or inflamed and may cause pain, soreness, stiffness and dysfunction. These joints connect the vertebrae in the spine and, therefore, when irritated, the discomfort can affect spinal motion and posture. Pain and discomfort from cervical facet syndrome is generally felt along the base of the skull and into the upper back and shoulders. It is typically the result of an injury such as whiplash (traumatic) or from long-term degenerative disc disease (pathologic) or repetitive strain of the neck (postural).

Chiropractic Treatment

In general, a chiropractic physician will be able to help alleviate the symptoms of cervical facet syndrome. Chiropractic manipulation, combined with soft tissue massage therapy and rehabilitation exercises, are effective treatment options for a patient suffering with cervical facet syndrome. Because a patient may experience muscle spasm and inflammation along with the typical dull, achy pain, ice and heat therapy along with manual traction, ultrasound and electrical stimulation work well to reduce pain as well. Because the cervical joints provide for an incredible amount of mobility for the head, it is important to receive care for facet syndrome symptoms immediately to minimize long-term postural changes and the possibility of arthritis. In rare occurrences, surgery is required for patients who do not benefit from conservative treatment.

References Cited in this Article

www.facetdiseasefacts.com

www.chiropractic-help.com

www.chiroweb.com

www.doctorbuzz.com

Do You Suffer from Neck Discomfort?

echiropractor — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:50:49 +0000

Neck discomfort can be a debilitating acute or chronic condition affecting the body or soft tissue components of the cervical spine. Neck discomfort can have an insidious onset, follow trauma, or be due to repetitive stresses. Some complications include: fracture, facet encroachment, whiplash, arthrosis, torticollis, strain/sprains, joint capsule conditions, and space occupying lesions such as tumors. The neck is made up of seven tiny cervical vertebra, eight pairs of cervical nerves, ligaments, and muscles which all support the human 8-lb skull. The cervical spine ligaments include: alar, anterior atlantoaxial, posterior atlantoaxial, ligamentum nuchae, anterior longitudnal ligament (ALL), posterior longitudnal ligament (PLL), and ligamentum flavum. The atlas, or first cervical vertebra holds the condyles of the skull and works in conjunction with the very important axis, or second cervical vertebra. The axis has an odontoid process, which the atlas pivots around allowing for cervical rotation. Many chiropractors believe that upper cervical misalignments are the main-stem for neck discomfort, pain, and ultimately disease and upper respiratory infections. Trauma-induced neck discomfort can be due to whiplash (hyperflexion/hyperextension). Whiplash associated disorders (WAD) most commonly occur at spinal segments C5/C6 and C6/C7. In whiplash injuries the ligaments of the cervical spine, as well as the muscles get stretched and tear causing sprain/strains. Neck discomfort may also come on without known cause and this is considered an insidious onset. Torticollis can cause the patient to awaken with their head ipsilaterally flexed and rotated away from the side of spasm creating severe pain if left untreated. Many babies can be born with congenital torticollis, while others can suffer from infantile torticollis which has a waxing and wane pattern. With the proper physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments this condition may be overcome. In the case of severe neck discomfort as in cervical spine fractures, an immediate referral to the emergency room needs to be enforced to prolong human life and initiate surgery if need be. Neck discomfort may be simple, severe, acute, or chronic but to the person suffering from it, it’s a nuisance that needs to be dealt with by the appropriate hands.

A Pain in the Neck and The Neck Therapy Treatment

echiropractor — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:24:07 +0000

While this common statement can be used to describe an annoying neighbor or an obnoxious nephew, a real pain in the neck can be incredibly bothersome and totally painful. In other words, a real drag. So, what can cause neck pain? How can it be treated? How can someone help to prevent themselves from suffering with neck pain?

Your neck, or cervical spine, consists of seven square-shaped bones, or vertebrae. In between each vertebrae are the cervical discs and these bones and discs are supported by ligaments and long neck muscles. All of these structures form a strong canal in the neck to protect the cervical portion of the spinal cord. With so many important structures in one small area, it is easy to imagine how many ways they can be injured. Some causes of neck pain include cervical strains, spondylosis (a narrowing of the disc space that can cause bone spurs), facet syndrome, diffuse skeletal hyperostosis and whiplash. Most causes of neck pain can be treated conservatively, non-surgically, by a chiropractic physician or osteopath. This conservative treatment generally includes massage therapy, ice and heat therapy, acupuncture, traction and exercises. Exercises and weight management are very helpful in strengthening weak or injured areas as well as possibly preventing future injury. Some exercises include neck bending, tilting and rotation, shoulder rolls and stretches and upper back bends and stretches. From time to time patients have received injections to help with pain but there is no good evidence showing that these injections help decrease pain long term or help with healing. Obviously, prevention is the best and maintaining good posture, stretch breaks from repetitive movements and avoiding hyper flexing and extending are all good ways to keep your neck free from injury and pain.

References Cited in this Article

www.uptodate.com

www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

Spinal Rehab and the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, Sleep Disorder, Seizure Disorder, Neck and Back Pain Review

echiropractor — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:08:07 +0000

The report in the Journal of Physiological and Manipulative Therapies (JMPT) in 2004 focused on a specific case of a 23-year-old male patient who experienced a variety of ailments including: migraines, back pain, seizures, bipolar, and neck pain. Some individuals present a specific variety of bipolar disorder called rapid-cycling. The person will suffer from four or more major episodes of depression, mania, hypomania, or mixed symptoms within a year’s time. Rapid cyclers seem to be more common with people with severe depression, those who began bipolar symptoms at a young age, and females. e vast clinical feature is the patient landing on his head from 10-feet in the air at a pole-vaulting track meet at age 17. No problems were noted prior to the accident; after the patient suffered from many neurological disorders which continued for the next six years. At the initial chiropractic exam, a subluxation of the upper cervical spine was noted and spinal rehab was suggested. Upper cervical adjustments were introduced and the patient was assessed at the first visit, 2 months, and 4 months of care. After 4 weeks, the patient experienced better sleep, a removal of seizures, and a reduction in bipolar symptoms. Three months later, the patient experienced a dramatic reduction in migraines which only occurred twice every 4 weeks rather than every 2-3 days. Three more months later, the patient no longer presented the symptoms that were present during the initial visit. In conclusion, there is a direct correlation with trauma to the upper cervical spine with noted neurological deficits and the improvement and absence of such symptoms with the introduction of chiropractic care.

Neck Pain

echiropractor — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:13:33 +0000

For most people, the most common form of back pain is lower back pain, however, neck pain affects millions of people at some point during their lives as well. A person can experience acute neck pain, which is pain that lasts a few hours up to a few weeks, or they can experience chronic neck pain. Chronic neck pain lasts longer than a few weeks. This type of neck pain can flare up at times or be exacerbated during certain activities. Both types of neck pain can affect your overall health and activities of daily living. Both should be addressed by a health care professional who can design a personal treatment plan for you to help you begin to feel well by restoring your appropriate range of motion and reducing pain.

Causes

Acute neck pain is most commonly caused by a sprain/strain injury. An example of a sprain would be suffering from whiplash during an accident and an example of a strain would be sleeping in an uncomfortable position for an extended period of time, waking with a sore neck. Poor body mechanics during the day can also lead to strained muscles in the neck. This acute pain can be greatly reduced during the healing process by seeking conservative care, such as a chiropractic physician or osteopath. Chronic neck issues can be caused by cervical disc herniation, cervical stenosis, osteoarthritis, or degenerative disc disease. It is important to get treatment for both types of neck pain as both can cause pain in other areas of the body such as into the shoulders, arms, wrists, elbows, chest and head. Causes of neck pain are generally not serious but some causes can be so issues with your neck should always be addressed.

References Cited in this Article