When we awaken in the morning with a stiff and painful neck, the propensity is to blame the situation on our pillow, bed, or sleep position during that night. We also make an effort to figure out what is occurring when sudden neck movement causes a sharp pain that feels as if “something” has slipped out of position or that a nerve is being “pinched.” Though it may seem so, one single incident is rarely the cause of most neck problems, but instead the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, unhealthy work and lifestyle habits, and lack of beneficial exercise for strength and flexibility. Naturally, some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

In order to understand neck pain, it is important to understand the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is directed by neck vertebrae that are comprised of posterior joints, called facets, that link vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs join the bodies of the vertebrae and are composed of a form of tough cartilage that surrounds a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. In a canal found between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. Spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae and provide energy to muscles and organs of the body. They also carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain.  The nerves that leave from the neck are assigned to the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The natural forward curve of the neck balances the weight of the head and alleviates stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your Colorado Springs Chiropractor.

Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use

Computer use has risen dramatically over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, a substantial amount of people spend eight to ten hours a day, or more, bent over a keyboard and staring at a monitor. Sitting with the head in a forward bent position (the posture most computer users assume), puts enormous strain on neck ligaments and muscles. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and cause more stress on the surrounding tissue of the neck. Improper posture and repetitive stress can produce spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the main causes of spinal nerve irritation. Besides general pain, spinal nerve inflammation in the neck can cause symptoms including headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.

Headaches and Chiropractic Care

Headaches or migraines are frequently associated with disorders of the cervical spine. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are caused when the cervical vertebrae lose their natural position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, related to structures in the head are stretched or irritated. Trigger points, the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, can also refer pain to the head.  Many other factors are associated with headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Still, the alignment of the neck and the inflammation of surrounding tissues should be a primary consideration when treating headaches and migraines. Chiropractic manipulation and management have proved to be very effective in the treatment of headaches. Ask your Colorado Springs Chiropractor about the benefits of Chiropractic care.

Whiplash and Chiropractic Care

Many people are involved in car accidents. Almost certainly the most common auto accident is when one car collides into the rear-end of another car. During such an accident, the passenger in the front car gets his or her head forcefully jolted backward and then forward causing injury to the structures of the back and front of the neck. This kind of damage is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force produced by such an accident is very powerful and can cause trauma to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Whiplash injury includes neck pain and immobility, and other symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and should pain, tingling in the hands and fingers, and weakness of the arms and hand. It is vital to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. More often than not in many cases, the injuries are mainly to the soft tissues and joints. Proper treatment is vital in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is extremely knowledgeable in the area of whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.

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For an updated version of chronic tension headaches and more advice about headache types check out relieve headache.

Chronic tension headaches are a serious ailment that can detract from enjoyment of daily life. Daily activities are subject to interruption by painful episodes that can occur any time. Chronic tension headaches are known to cause depression in some. It is important that chronic tension headaches be treated as soon as possible. Fortunately, the medical community has a great deal of experience with the phenomenon of headache, and has several avenues of treatment available for sufferers. In fact, headaches are actually divided into three individual categories.

The majority of headaches suffered can fit into the primary category. A primary headache is frequently brought on by emotional or physical stress, and has the most frequent rate of occurence by far. Primary headaches are almost never life threatening, but they can bring serious pain with them. This pain can hamper everyday enjoyment of life, making even basic functioning difficult. Although the actual causes of chronic tension headache are still unknown, it is widely held that the symptoms are brought on by a tightening of the muscles that surround the base of the skull. This tightening can be initially identified as a band like feeling just above the eyes that gradually grows into a painful sensation.

Cluster and secondary headaches occur on a far less frequent basis, but are much more serious. To treat this kind of headache, serious medical attention is required. Cluster headaches are easily identified by the pain level that they induce. Patients frequently describe cluster headaches as an icepick sensation behind one or both eyes. Treatment includes powerful sedatives and pain medications. Secondary headaches usually indicate some other issue that is at work.

Chronic tension headaches should be approached from a stress management point of view. Physical and emotional stress can be a significant source of chronic tension headaches. Circumstances that trigger significant emotional stress can easily lead to chronic tension headaches. Prolonged physical stress can also be tied directly to chronic tension headaches. Steps to manage both kinds of stress should be undertaken in order to reduce the occurence of chronic tension headaches. If these steps do not succeed, then further treatment via pain medications may be necessary. Chronic tension headaches that do not abate should be a signal to see a doctor.

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For an updated version of sinus headache symptoms and more advice about sinus headache pain visit relieve headache pain.

Sinus headache can be a potentially serious issue that sufferers experience almost yearly.  The change in seasons, often times from warm to cold, can trigger a sinus headache.  Sinus headache usually occurs as the sinus cavity fills with too much mucus.  This can present as a sensation of builtup pressure just above the eyes and behind the nose.  This pressure can sometimes become very painful and uncomfortable.  The prelude to a sinus headache is usually a stuffy nose and congestion.  If a cold or congestion lasts for a long period of time, it can easily cause a sinus headache to follow.

Prompt treatment of congestion and colds can easily prevent a sinus headache.  Decongestants and nasal sprays are an effective way to prevent the attack of a sinus headache.  Whenever a cold or congestion initially strikes, try to treat the problem immediately in order to alleviate stronger symptoms.  Overly dry air can quickly lead to a sinus headache as well, so a humidifier can be a good solution as well.  Sinus headaches typically come about when pressure in the sinus cavity becomes too high. 

The problem can become painful if the mucus in the nasal cavity becomes infected by bacteria or a virus.  Prolonged colds and congestion are a breeding ground for bacteria.  When bacteria infects the nasal cavity, it can lead to swelling and irritation.  Significant pain when sneezing or blowing, in addition to a fever, are definite signs that an infection has taken hold.  Sinus headache can reach painful proportions if left untreated for a significant period of time.  See a doctor promptly, and they will typically prescribe both antibiotics and decongestants to rid the patient of the problem. 

It is vital that infections be promptly dealt with.  If left alone, sinus headache can become a life threatening infection.  Sinus headache can be brought under control with the use of medication.  The earlier the problem is caught, the quicker the issue can be resolved.  Ignored sinus headache can develop into serious infections that threaten permanent damage to the sinus cavity.  In severe cases, blocking off the sinus cavity completely may be necessary.

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