NECK PAIN

The neck is an extremely important part of our body. Many vital organs are in the neck. The brainstem, the spinal cord, nerves, blood vessels and part of the spinal column are located in the neck. It supports the head and allows it to move freely up and down, turn and tilt, without causing damage to any of its vital contents. The neck is so important that any damage that interferes with its function can cause loss of consciousness, paralysis and even death.

WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN?

Most conditions that can precipitate neck pain, and there are more than those mentioned above, have at least one thing in common-nerve irritation. Dorland's Medical Dictionary defines pain as a feeling of distress, suffering or agony caused by stimulation of specialized nerve endings. There can be no pain unless sensory nerves are stimulated (irritated), resulting in the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain. When spinal vertebrae misalign even slightly, or their normal mobility altered, sensory and motor nerves can be irritated or even damaged. This is known as a vertebral subluxation complex, or biomechanical lesion-commonly shortened to just subluxation. Chiropractors have found subluxations to be one of the most common causes of nerve irritation, thus one of the most common contributing factors in neck pain. Subluxation also can cause reduced movement of the head, neck, shoulder, arm, wrist, hand or fingers.

THE SPINE

The part of the spinal column in the neck is called the Cervical spine, and has seven spinal vertebrae (neck bones). They are numbered C-1 through C-7. C-1 holds the head and is called the Atlas. It gets its name from the Greek god Atlas who held the earth on his shoulders. All mammals have the same number of cervical vertebrae. It seems amazing that the long necked giraffe and the smallest rodent have the same number of vertebrae as humans. The neck vertebrae when joined together by discs, muscles, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue form a tunnel through which the spinal cord travels. One of the spinal column's main functions is protecting the spinal cord because an injury to the spinal cord can cause instant paralysis or death. Where the vertebrae come together there are openings formed called intervertebral foramina. Spinal nerves leave the spinal cord and exit the spinal column through these openings on their way to their final destination. Blood vessels, lymphatic, fat and connective tissues are also found in the intervertebral foramina.

MANY CONDITIONS CAN PRECIPITATE NECK PAIN

Because the neck is such a complex structure it is extremely vulnerable to injuries from falls and other accidents that can result in neck problems. Neck problems may also develop very slowly as a result of spinal abnormalities, physical and emotional tension or bad postural habits.Neck pain can result from muscle and tendon strain and sprain; muscle tension, brought on by emotion- al stress; poor posture, brought on by weak or un-exercised muscles; muscle spasms caused by over exertion or overuse. Cervical disc degeneration and herniation also may precipitate neck pain. Neck pain can result from disease of the spine such as the various types of arthritis and tuberculosis. Neck pain also can be brought on by disease elsewhere in the body, called referred pain. Also, there are nearly as many other things that can precipitate neck pain as there are people with neck pain. This makes it very difficult for those with neck pain to know what to do.

TREATMENT

Correcting the cause is the only way to effectively treat neck pain. All the pain pills, anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications that are usually prescribed by the medical profession to relieve pain will do little or nothing to correct the underlying cause. Since pain is caused by nerve irritation and nerve irritation is most frequently caused by subluxations, correcting the subluxation is the most effective way to correct the cause of the neck pain. Masking the pain with pain killing drugs or other medications is not the answer. The medical approach at times is necessary. However, medication has side effects that are sometimes very severe, and surgery is recommended as a last resort.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Fortunately many people have found help under chiropractic care. Chiropractic is not an extra strength "pain pill." Chiropractic adjustments are not a treatment for neck pain. In spite of this, people that suffer with all types of pain are seeking chiropractic care in greater numbers than ever because chiropractors treat one of the most common causes of neck pain-nerve irritation caused by subluxations -and have a high level of patient satisfaction among patients with neck pain. Chiropractors are the most qualified health care professionals, because of training and experience, to analyze and treat vertebral subluxations that are the number one cause of pain. Today, because of our stressful lifestyle, poor eating habits, environmental pollution, lack of proper exercise, etc., millions are suffering from subluxations and nerve irritation and pain. Subluxations can irritate the nerves and create interference with the forces that control and coordinate the body as well as cause pain, and many people may not even know they have a problem until the symptoms become severe, and in some cases so severe it is too late for complete restoration of health. Why? Because:

THE ABSENCE OF PAIN DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THE PRESENCE OF HEALTH

Many people think their pain is a disease and think when the pain is gone they are healthy. Instead of looking for the cause of the pain, people look for something to take to stop the pain. This is wrong. Pain is not a disease process, it is only a symptom-a warning signal. You can have a serious health problem with or without pain. People without pain might be considered unfortunate because they think the absence of pain means they are healthy, thus delaying proper treatment. Those that do have pain should not eliminate or cover up the pain with pain killing drugs. This also does nothing to correct the cause and may delay proper treatment. The cause must be corrected before long-lasting relief and health can be restored. Therefore, it is important to understand that the absence of pain does not necessarily mean the presence of health.

THE SPINAL CHECKUP

Everyone should have a spinal checkup periodically whether symptoms are present or not. Spinal subluxations that cause nerve irritation do not always cause pain and a person may be having a serious health problem without being aware of it. Although some subluxations and nerve irritation may be self limiting (healing itself) most are not. Most subluxations that cause nerve irritation will require professional care. Anyone with subluxations and nerve irritation needs a proper chiropractic analysis and chiropractic adjustment if necessary. If your chiropractor finds you have subluxations, specific manipulation techniques (without drugs or surgery) will be used to correct the subluxation and relieve the nerve irritation. This allows normal flow of nerve impulses that contributes to the restoration of normal function and health. This procedure is called a chiropractic adjustment. The direct purpose of the chiropractic spinal adjustment is to reduce nerve irritation. This allows the body to restore itself to a greater level of health and in the process relieves pain.

DON'T DELAY PROPER TREATMENT -CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC ...NOW!

When you have neck pain or anyone of hundreds of named conditions or a pain without a name, delaying proper treatment is dangerous and can result in a major health problem. Seek a chiropractic examination immediately to see if yours is a condition which comes within the scope of chiropractic. The pain you suffer may be because the cause of the pain has been inbred and proper treatment has been delayed. Even if you are seeing other health care providers, it is still advisable to see a chiropractor to make sure your spine is subluxation free and your nervous system is functioning normally because everyone needs a healthy nervous system.