Tell me about...
Neck Pain
What is neck pain?
Neck pain can be so mild that it is merely annoying and distracting.
Or it can be so severe that it is unbearable and incapacitating.
Most instances of neck pain (and stiffness) are minor and
commonly caused by something you did. That is, if you keep
your head in an awkward position for too long the joints in
your neck can "lock" and the neck muscles can become painfully
fatigued. The price you pay for carelessness in how you position
your head and neck (say, while working, watching TV, using
a computer, reading a book, or talking on the phone with the
receiver held against your shoulder and under your chin),
is a pain in the neck. You may be one of the many unfortunates
who, after a long and tiring day, has "harmlessly" fallen
asleep in a chair or in bed with your head propped up, only
to awake with a stiff and painful neck. Fortunately, most
minor, posture-induced neck pain episodes clear up on their
own after rest and efforts not to repeat the offending stresses
on the neck.
But neck pain that just won't go away after a day or so is
a more serious matter. Neck pain that lasts for many days
or keeps coming back is a signal that something isn't right.
Disease, an injury (such as whiplash
in an auto accident), a congenital malformation, or progressive
degeneration that can come with age may be responsible for
the more significant pain you experience. An expert must determine
the underlying causes of such neck pain. Examination, diagnosis
and treatment by a doctor of chiropractic can relieve your
mind and may quickly relieve your pain.
Who suffers from neck pain?
Almost everyone experiences some sort of neck pain or stiffness
at one time or another. Because you are human and walk upright,
your head is "balanced" atop your spinal column. If the muscles
that support your head are not kept strong and in good condition,
the upper part of your spinal column is vulnerable to strains
and injuries.
Older people, whose joints have been worn by much use over
time, are subject to osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative
joint disease or DJD). When this form of arthritis hits your
back and neck, you feel it as neck pain that gets worse over
time. The pain may radiate into your shoulders and arms, and
you may feel numbness or tingling in hands and fingers. Arthritis
can also involve symptoms including headaches, dizziness,
and even a grating/grinding feeling when you move your head.
It is very important for your chiropractor to examine you
to rule out osteoarthritis or identify it and see that it
is properly treated.
What can chiropractic do?
Doctors of chiropractic have the training and skills to relieve
your neck pain, overcome stiffness, and restore the mobility
and range of motion of any frozen neck vertebrae. They are
devoted to helping you get back to your normal pursuits and
start feeling like yourself again.
Perhaps their most important contribution is their ability
to bring their specialized diagnostic skills, techniques,
and equipment to bear in assessing what is causing your neck
problems. Your chiropractor can determine if you have a relatively
minor and treatable condition or a more serious underlying
condition (from disease, degeneration, or trauma) that may
require more intensive, extended treatment or referral to
a specialist.
Your chiropractor will ask you for detailed information on
your behavior, posture, physical condition, and work and home
environment He or she will obtain x-rays and other diagnostic
images to pinpoint which of many possible causes is a responsible
for your discomfort. Only then will the appropriate treatment
be recommended.
Once your normal feeling and function is restored, your chiropractor
will be available to keep the muscles and joints of your neck
and back in optimum condition to prevent recurrence of neck
pain and related life-restricting symptoms.
Other Resources :
The
More You Know About Neck Pain
More
Articles on Neck Pain
References
• Hurwitz EL, Aker PD, Adams AH, et al. Manipulation
and mobilization of the cervical spine: A systematic review
of the literature. Spine, 1996; vol. 21, no. 15, pp1746-60.
• Coulter ID, Hurwitz EL, Adams AH, et al. The Appropriateness
of Manipulation and Mobilization of the Cervical Spine.
Santa Monica, CA: Rand, supported by the Consortium for Chiropractic
Research, 1996.
• Jackson R. The Cervical Syndrome, 4th ed. Charles
C. Thomas Publisher, Springfield, IL: 1978.
• Cassidy JD, Lopes AA, Yong-Hing K. The immediate effect
of manipulation on pain and range of motion in the cervical
spine: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Manipulative
and Physiological Therapeutics, 1992; vol. 25, pp570-75.
• Koes BW, Bouter LM, van Mameren H, et al. A randomized
clinical trial of manual therapy and physiotherapy for persistent
back and neck complaints: Subgroup analysis and relationship
between outcome measures. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological
Therapeutics, 1993; vol. 16, pp211-19.
• Koes BW, Bouter LM, van Mameren H, Essers AHM. The
effectiveness of manual therapy, physiotherapy, and treatment
by the general practitioner for nonspecific back and neck
complaints: A randomized clinical trial. Spine, 1992;17,
pp28-35.
• Zvulun I. Mobilizing the nervous system in cervical
cord compression. Manual Therapy, Feb, 1998; vol. 3,
no. 1, pp42-7.
• Koes BW, Bouter LM, van Mameren H, et al. Randomized
clinical trial of manual therapy and physiotherapy for persistent
back and neck complaints: Results of one year follow up. British
Medical Journal, 1992;304, pp601-5.
|
