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

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

 Chiropractic Treatment Techniques

Chiropractors use different techniques to treat patients with whiplash including spinal manipulation, muscle stimulation, and exercise programs.  The type of treatment depends on the severity of the injury and is determined after the chiropractic exam.  Spinal manipulation, also known as chiropractic adjustment, involves the chiropractor moving the joint into the opposite direction.  This technique helps restore mobility within the spine and reduces pain or tenderness in the muscles.  The chiropractor may also use a technique called muscle stimulation.  During muscle stimulation treatment, the physician will use stretching techniques on muscles that are tense or inhibited.  If the muscle is extremely tight, the physician will apply pressure with their finger tips on the sore muscle.  Massaging the muscle will reduce tension and pain.       

Exercise Treatments

Chiropractors may use McKenzie exercises for whiplash treatment.  These exercises are specifically used to treat patients with injuries related to whiplash.   McKenzie exercises are easy to do in the office and at home.  The techniques improve the arrangement of discs in the back which reduces the pain and soreness.  Stabilization exercises are used to help patients who have encountered trauma or a fall related accidents as well as whiplash.  Exercise treatments help control the nervous system to improve coordination and movements within the neck.  After treatment, it is important that the patient does minimal activities that can cause strain to the body.  The physician will explain different activities to avoid at home or work that can cause more strain on the injury.      

Discovering the Problem

An auto accident injury can cause many health problems within the body including neck and back pain.  Many people will feel the effects of whiplash months after the injury has occurred.  Choosing a chiropractor to help relieve neck or back pain from an accident or fall is a reliable solution to a painful problem.  The chiropractor will evaluate the patient’s medical history during the first session of chiropractic treatment.  The physician will ask if the patient has been in an accident or sustained any trauma in the past several months.  Patients who have sustained a fracture in the neck will typically have a stiff and painful neck.  If the patient does have a fracture, the chiropractor will require a spinal x-ray to further examine the issue.  The physician will also ask if there has been any shoulder pain accompanying the neck or back pain.  It is also important that the patient explains to the doctor any headaches or head pains they have been experiencing since the accident.  Providing the physician with all medical history information will result in a proper diagnosis.

Chiropractors Perform Adjustments

Chiropractors may use different adjustment techniques to relieve back or neck pain.  The physician will apply pressure and force to the patients back that will help relieve pain.  This force will push the spine beyond its typical movement and motion.  Pushing the spine beyond movement will increase the range of motion and help to relieve back pain.  Chiropractors may also use other pain relief techniques such as exercise, stretching, and massage methods to relieve pain caused from auto accident injuries. 

It is 2010 and we like to surf. We surf the internet for jobs, cars, homes, current events, romance and healthcare. We find recipes for dinner and set up our own websites as online scrapbooks for our family members near and far. With all of the benefits of owning a computer, we do tend, from time to time, to sit a little too long and stare a little too close at the screen, slowly causing various injury to our bodies, one of which being upper back injury. But good news! Before closing that laptop or shutting down that computer tower, search the web for a few good health tips and recommendations for how to help your sore, strained upper back feel better.

 Symptoms

Poor posture while at a computer over time leads to muscular irritation of the upper back. The pain felt in the upper back region is generally the result of muscle spasm or strain as well as trigger points. The muscle groups of the upper back and shoulder regions are large and require rigorous stretching and strengthening rehabilitation treatment plans to provide pain and discomfort relief. Long term pain relief lies solely with the patient as excellent posture and body mechanics are the best remedies for upper back pain prevention. It is important for someone suffering with upper back pain to seek care for proper diagnosis, as in some cases upper back pain may indicate a more serious underlying condition. But in general, the curse of the computer and the poor posture we exhibit are the culprits of mechanical upper back pain and, with a little help from a chiropractic physician, we can get back to our surfing with great posture, in no time.

References Cited in this Article

www.spine-health.com

www.cure-back-pain.org

www.mothernature.com

A subluxation can become very irritable for a patient and the pain can become very severe and unbearable if the subluxation is left untreated.  The subluxation causes pain and pressure on the spine and the nerves surrounding the spinal area.  It can cause other issues, such as headaches and stiffness. 

Causes

Subluxations are caused by daily wear and tear, such as sitting incorrectly or experiencing a recent traumatic injury within the neck and spine.  Subluxations can also be due to exercising improperly, poor sleeping routines, or even just daily stress.  If you are experiencing pain in the neck and spinal region, it’s vital that you get x-rayed and see your doctor so they can assess the damage. Doctors or specialists will x-ray the neck region to look for any subluxations within the neck and spine.  There are also different levels of subluxations, These are typically found with older patients who have been left untreated.   It’s vital for the doctor or specialist to perform an x-ray to assess what degeneration has already taken place.  This will help them in determining what treatment options will be needed to correct the degeneration that has already occurred.  

Treatments

Treatments will vary with each patient, and treatment options are going to vary with each specialist that you see.  Some treatment options may be over the counter medication or prescribed medicated creams.  Patients can also make an appointment with their Chiropractor so they can assess the subluxation and come up with a treatment plan to correct this issue.  In most circumstances, the treatment plan will involve a more holistic approach and medication is rarely used.  The Chiropractor will adjust the neck and spinal region back into alignment.  The adjustments may be required every few weeks depending on the severity of the subluxation within the patient’s spinal areas.  

There are many different neck therapies available to a patient.  It is crucial that the patient understand the key differences between each neck therapy and treatment before they continue on one path.  There are many therapeutic natural approaches as well as approaches that incorporate medication, injections, and strict exercising.  If you have already visited a doctor you may want to try alternative treatments as these will also assist in treating neck pain.

Treatments:

Acupuncture

You may choose to visit an acupuncturist; they can help in managing neck pain in a more natural way. Acupuncturists use long needles that are inserted in origins within the body, these needles are used to help release toxins and mange the pain felt within your neck.  Typically the acupuncture treatment is done in less than thirty minutes, the pain is very minimal, and you can go back to your daily activities after your visit.  This is a great natural approach for someone who isn’t interested in taking pain medication or scheduling to take injections. 

Chiropractic

Another option a patient has is to visit a chiropractor.  Chiropractors will help the patient by adjusting their back and spine into their natural position.  Typically adjustments are made once a week or a few times a month depending on the severity of the neck pain felt by the patient.  Chiropractors may also use other in house equipment and traction devices to help stretch the neck and remove the tension felt. 

Physical Therapy

Another option is for the patient to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.  They will assist the patient in doing a series of in house exercises and stretches to stretch and strengthen the neck and back.  These exercises are typically done with the aid of machines or with the aid of the physical therapists.  This allows you to get the correct range of motion within your neck.  In most cases, you may see your physical therapist once or twice a week depending on the severity of the neck pain.

Many people seek care for their neck and back problems.  However, a chiropractor is more than just a neck pain doctor. Neck pain is generally the most common reason people seek treatment from a chiropractic physician, and since neck pain usually does not occur from a single episode of trauma, excluding whiplash, but from daily improper body mechanics and movements, a chiropractor has the job of not just relieving neck pain and discomfort but also providing a treatment plan that focuses on teaching overall improved mechanics and health habits to the individual. This would involve offering services that include not only chiropractic manipulation but physical rehabilitation and other complementary modalities as well.

 Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can be the result of degeneration of the cervical discs (spondylosis), a pinched nerve, spinal stenosis or muscle spasm. In all cases, proper diagnosis is necessary for proper and effective treatment and pain management. A chiropractic physician will be able to rule out any serious underlying health problems through diagnostic imaging, lab tests, if necessary, and a complete history and physical before recommending a chiropractic treatment plan. If conservative care is indicated, a chiropractor will continue with treatment that generally includes heat and ice therapy, appropriate rehab exercises, massage therapy services, and other modalities including traction, ultrasound, and nutritional counseling. If a patient is not responding well to their treatment plan, a chiropractic physician will typically refer them to a specialist for further examination and treatment.

 References Cited in this Article

 www.about.com

 www.medicinenet.com

 www.eorthopod.com

 www.spine-health.com

There are many different treatment options available to patients who are experiencing neck pain.  It’s essential that you research different doctors and specialists in your area before you make an appointment.  Some doctors will prescribe pain medication while others use natural medicine, herbal remedies, or acupuncture to relieve the neck tension and pain.  Other specialists may incorporate physical therapy or in house adjustments, accompanied by massage and exercise techniques.  It’s also essential that you understand your severity before contacting a specialist or doctor.  You may also call to speak with a nurse to see if your symptoms are severe enough to come in and be seen.

Massage Therapy

If your pain isn’t severe enough to visit a doctor you can also schedule to see a massage therapist.  Massage therapists can massage and stretch the neck muscles to offer instant and long term relief to the patient.   You may need to be seen every other week or once a month to correct the pain in your neck.  Your massage therapist will typically recommend a treatment plan that will fit your severity and needs. 

Acupuncture

Another option for patients who don’t have severe neck pain is to make an appointment with a specialist who specializes in acupuncture or acupressure treatments for the neck.  This homeopathic approach will stimulate and offer pain relief to the neck muscle and relieve tension and stress felt in the neck, as well as the upper back.  This neck treatment will incorporate long thin needles that are placed in different areas of the head and neck, typically there is no pain associated with this in house neck treatment. 

When to see your Doctor

The third option is for someone who is experiencing more severe neck pain.  If your neck pain has been extremely severe and worsens over a days or weeks, then you may want to schedule a visit with your medical doctor to ensure you don’t have a serious injury. If your neck pain is sudden and severe to the point where you cannot walk, see, or faint you will want to be seen in the emergency room to properly assess the damage.

There are many different therapeutic tools one can use to alleviate the pain associated with stiffness or soreness felt within the neck.  Beware of neck relief quick fixes and gimmicks as these don’t offer the patient a solution to long term care or treatment.  It’s important that the patient do thorough research and talk with their doctor or specialist before they purchase a pricey product from a catalog or store.  Many of the products sold at stores may promise to alleviate all of your problems and guarantee or be endorsed by celebrities or famous doctor.  It’s important that you are aware that these products have paid advertisements, and most of them offer little satisfaction to curing your problem.

Chiropractic Care

If you are looking for a real solution that will offer you a long term plan that to help alleviate your neck pain and strain, you need to visit your doctor or specialist.  It’s vital you visit your chiropractor, specialist or doctor to asses and properly diagnose your ailment.  Buying a quick fix over the counter product is just that a quick fix.  Specialists can properly asses and previous medical conditions, take a through x-ray, and offer you a care plan that will provide lasting relief over time. 

Helpful products

There are several products that your doctor may also recommend on top of your treatment plan to help assist in the healing process and pain relief.  For example, if you have poor posture at work a doctor can special order a pillow you can sit on at work to help realign your back and neck into a more solid position.  Specialty products like this can be offered over the counter or sold at retail stores.  However, it’s important to first visit your doctor or physician to properly asses your issues before they recommend purchasing an additional product.  Doctors or specialists may also recommend massage therapy or other alternative treatments such as acupuncture.  Other doctors may recommend a medicated pad along with oral medication.  It’s vital to assess what plan will suit your needs and goals long term and what will fit into your lifestyle, as some cannot commit to a rigorous regimen.