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Neck Pain Causes and Treatment

Neck pain has many etiologies, most of which will respond well to Chiropractic care. In our office we utilise additional modalities including electric muscle stimulation, Ultra sound, Shortwave Diathermy, exercises, acupuncture, applied Kinesiology and the new Asyra Quantum Biofeedback. Chiropractic is still the primary treatment needed to correct spinal misalignment's. As a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association the below article on Neck pain clearly states my purpose and treatment methodology.

Clifford Fruithandler DC

Margate Chiropractor at Northwest Medical Plaza

Chiropractic and Neck Pain: Conservative Care of Cervical Pain, Injury

Your neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of the skull and contains seven small vertebrae. Incredibly, the cervical spine supports the full weight of your head, which is on average about 12 pounds. While the cervical spine can move your head in nearly every direction, this flexibility makes the neck very susceptible to pain and injury.

The neck�s susceptibility to injury is due in part to biomechanics. Activities and events that affect cervical biomechanics include extended sitting, repetitive movement, accidents, falls and blows to the body or head, normal aging, and everyday wear and tear. Neck pain can be very bothersome, and it can have a variety of causes.

Here are some of the most typical causes of neck pain:

Injury and Accidents:
A sudden forced movement of the head or neck in any direction and the resulting “rebound” in the opposite direction is known as whiplash. The sudden “whipping” motion injures the surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head. Muscles react by tightening and contracting, creating muscle fatigue, which can result in pain and stiffness. Severe whiplash can also be associated with injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, muscles, and nerve roots. Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash.

Growing Older: Degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease directly affect the spine.

  • Osteoarthritis, a common joint disorder, causes progressive deterioration of cartilage. The body reacts by forming bone spurs that affect joint motion.
  • Spinal stenosis causes the small nerve passageways in the vertebrae to narrow, compressing and trapping nerve roots. Stenosis may cause neck, shoulder, and arm pain, as well as numbness, when these nerves are unable to function normally.
  • Degenerative disc disease can cause reduction in the elasticity and height of intervertebral discs. Over time, a disc may bulge or herniate, causing tingling, numbness, and pain that runs into the arm.

Daily Life: Poor posture, obesity, and weak abdominal muscles often disrupt spinal balance, causing the neck to bend forward to compensate. Stress and emotional tension can cause muscles to tighten and contract, resulting in pain and stiffness. Postural stress can contribute to chronic neck pain with symptoms extending into the upper back and the arms.

Chiropractic Care of Neck Pain
During your visit, your doctor of chiropractic will perform exams to locate the source of your pain and will ask you questions about your current symptoms and remedies you may have already tried. For example:

  • When did the pain start?
  • What have you done for your neck pain?
  • Does the pain radiate or travel to other parts of your body?
  • Does anything reduce the pain or make it worse?

Your doctor of chiropractic will also do physical and neurological exams. In the physical exam, your doctor will observe your posture, range of motion, and physical condition, noting movement that causes pain. Your doctor will feel your spine, note its curvature and alignment, and feel for muscle spasm. A check of your shoulder area is also in order. During the neurological exam, your doctor will test your reflexes, muscle strength, other nerve changes, and pain spread.

In some instances, your chiropractor might order tests to help diagnose your condition. An x-ray can show narrowed disc space, fractures, bone spurs, or arthritis. A computerised axial tomography scan (a CT or CAT scan) or a magnetic resonance imaging test (an MRI) can show bulging discs and herniation. If nerve damage is suspected, your doctor may order a special test called electrocardiography (an EMG) to measure how quickly your nerves respond.

Chiropractors are conservative care doctors; their scope of practice does not include the use of drugs or surgery. If your chiropractor diagnoses a condition outside of this conservative scope, such as a neck fracture or an indication of an organic disease, he or she will refer you to the appropriate medical physician or specialist. He or she may also ask for permission to inform your family physician of the care you are receiving to ensure that your chiropractic care and medical care are properly coordinated.

Neck Adjustments
A neck adjustment (also known as a cervical manipulation) is a precise procedure applied to the joints of the neck, usually by hand. A neck adjustment works to improve the mobility of the spine and to restore range of motion; it can also increase movement of the adjoining muscles. Patients typically notice an improved ability to turn and tilt the head, and a reduction of pain, soreness, and stiffness.

Of course, your chiropractor will develop a program of care that may combine more than one type of treatment, depending on your personal needs. In addition to manipulation, the treatment plan may include mobilisation, massage or rehabilitative exercises, or something else.

Research Supporting Chiropractic Care
One of the most recent reviews of scientific literature found evidence that patients with chronic neck pain enrolled in clinical trials reported significant improvement following chiropractic spinal manipulation.

As part of the literature review, published in the March/April 2007 issue of the Journal of
Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
, the researchers reviewed nine previously published trials and found “high-quality evidence” that patients with chronic neck pain showed significant pain-level improvements following spinal manipulation. No trial group was reported as having remained unchanged, and all groups showed positive changes up to 12 weeks post-treatment.


Car Accident, Auto Accidents, Accident, Car Crash, Lawyers?? What to do first??

If you are in an automobile accident the first thing to do is see if everyone is all right. If anyone is unconscious, bleeding or stuck in a car call 911 for Fire and or ambulance. Stop any bleeding as soon as possible and it is usually safest to leave the person where they are until EMS comes. If all are alert and ambulatory, keep your calm and either wait for police or exchange insurance information. If you are not at fault, be sure you get the licence number and drivers license information. In today's technology world most cell phones have cameras. A few pictures of the scene, damages and others involved can be helpful in the future. Be sure to email them to yourself if possible and you will have a permanent record.

SEVERE INJURY, loss of consciousness, lacerations that are bleeding, pain radiating into the arms or legs , or moderate dizziness its always safest to go to the emergency room as soon as possible. The quickest route is by ambulance. Do not drive if you feel woozy as you may pass out at the wheel.

Mild to moderate injuries with mild headache, neck and back ache without passing out and you have the ability to fully move around its OK to go home and see your Doctor the next day. If symptoms get worse, the emergency room, Urgent Care and your local Chiropractor are usually only a few minutes away.

RICE the injuries: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is normal for pain to be a bit worse the next morning. If you are having headaches, Neck, Back pain see your Chiropractor or PCP for evaluation. Chiropractors specialise in treating trauma to the spine and studies show patients are happier with the care compared to taking medications. Your PCP or Chiropractor will guide you to where you need to be. Below is an article from the ACA describing Whiplash or neck injuries due to an acceleration injury.