Chances are you’ve experienced a stiff or sore neck at one time or another. Given the complex mechanics and function of the neck, it’s no wonder that neck pain is so common. The neck supports your head, which may weigh 10 pounds or more, and needs to bend up and down and turn side-to-side. Major pain or recurring problems are signals that something serious may be wrong. This is a sign that you need professional care.
A sudden injury such as a fall or a car accident may cause damage to the neck. Often, though, damage occurs slowly over time from poor posture, wear and tear and even emotional stress. Another cause is spinal imbalance, which occurs when the head is not balanced over the rest of the spine. Muscles supporting the unbalanced weight of the head quickly become fatigued. Spinal imbalance can be both a symptom and a cause of stress on your neck.
Injuries and imbalances can cause cervical vertebrae to move out of their correct position. Soft tissues, such as tendons, ligaments and muscles can become inflamed or worn out. The discs separating and cushioning the cervical vertebrae can herniate (bulge) or even rupture (burst). Nerves can be damaged or irritated from misaligned cervical joints or bulging or ruptured discs.
Problems with the neck can lead to symptoms of pain and reduced range of motion. Neck problems can also lead to pain in the face, shoulder, arm, wrist, hands or fingers. And even seemingly unrelated conditions can be due to neck problems such as headaches, vision disturbances, difficulties with concentration or memory and ringing in the ears have all been associated with problems in the neck. The chiropractic approach to treating neck pain doesn’t just treat the symptoms. The goal is to find the source of the problem and correct it.
Standard medical treatments for neck pain include muscle relaxants, painkillers and tranquilizers. These medications only mask pain: they do nothing for the underlying cause. If these medications don’t give relief, then more drastic measures such as cortisone injections or surgery may be tried. In many cases, chiropractic treatment can help ease pressure on nerves and prevent the need for surgery. For most patients, surgery should be considered only when more conservative treatments fail.
The chiropractic approach to treating neck pain is to find the source of the neck pain and correct it. By correcting the source of the problem, the body can heal naturally. Neck pain often responds dramatically to the restoration of normal spinal function through chiropractic care.
While some patients seek chiropractic care only when pain is unbearable, this crisis approach often costs more in the long run – in time, stress and dollars. The sooner you seek professional care, the sooner you’ll find relief from your pain. Don’t continue to suffer.
For more information please contact Dr. Frank Panoussi, D.C. at Advanced Healthcare, 661-799-0777 or visit our website at www.chiro4all.com .