| Neck Pain Treatment Perth |
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Your neck is a complex interlocking structure consisting of bones, joints, nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Its main job is to hold up the weight of your head which, at around 5 kilograms, is no mean task. Add to this the requirement that the head must be able to move from side to side and up and down (and do these simultaneously), plus the fact that the neck has to form a conduit for the spinal cord, carry blood vessels to and from the head, and contain passageways for air and food, and you have quite a complex feat of engineering. No wonder then that our necks cause us pain and discomfort, not only on occasion, but for some people in an ongoing fashion.
The main physical structures in the neck are the seven interlocking vertebrae. They are called the cervical vertebrae, numbered C1 through to C7. C1, also known as the atlas, is the closest one to your head, followed by C2, which is also known as the axis. Each vertebra is connected to the next by facet joints, and between the vertebrae are intervertebral discs, rubbery cushions made mostly of cartilage that act as shock-absorbers. |
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| Symptoms of neck pain |
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Symptoms of neck pain and the sensations you feel can help your doctor to diagnose the cause. Here are some symptoms.
Muscle spasm. A spasm is a sudden, powerful, involuntary contraction of muscles. The muscles feel painful, stiff and knotted. If you have neck muscle spasms, you may not be able to move your neck — sometimes people call it a crick in the neck.
Muscle ache. The neck muscles are sore and may have hard knots (trigger points) that are tender to touch. It may ache on one side only or up the middle of the neck.
Stiffness. The neck muscles are tight and if you spend too long in one position they feel even tighter. Neck stiffness can make it difficult or painful to move your neck.
Nerve pain. Pain from the neck can radiate down the arms, and sometimes, the legs. You may feel a sensation of pins and needles or tingling in your arms, which can be accompanied by numbness, burning or weakness.
Headaches. Headaches are common in conjunction with neck problems. They are usually a dull aching type of headache, rather than sharp pain, and can be felt at the back of the head.
Loss of range of motion. If you can’t turn your head to the side to the same degree towards each shoulder, or you feel limited in how far forward you can lower your head to your chest, or how far you can tilt your head back, you may have reduced range of motion. Your doctor will be able to test this.
Dizziness. This may sometimes accompany neck pain and can be due to position detectors in the joints of your cervical vertebrae being injured.
What causes neck pain?
These are some of the most common causes of neck pain.
Whiplash. This commonly follows a car accident in which the person’s car is hit from behind while it is stationary or slowing down. The person’s head is first thrown backwards and then when their body stops moving, the head is thrust forward. This type of injury can strain your neck muscles and cause ligaments in the neck to stretch or tear.
The pain from whiplash, which is usually worse with movement, does not always start immediately — it may take several days to come on. Neck pain and stiffness may be accompanied by muscle spasm, dizziness, headaches, nerve pain and shoulder pain.
Posture problems and neck pain
Poor posture can cause neck pain by putting extra strain on ligaments and muscles. Standing with the shoulders slouched and chin jutted forward, working with your head down for long periods of time, slumping while seated and sleeping face-down are common postural problems that affect the neck. Poor posture is very common with patients that sit at the desk for long periods of time. This causes tightness and trigger points in some muscles and weakness in others
Chiropractors at central city chiropractic will give you suggestions on how to prevent posture related neck pain including,
Correct your posture when standing or sitting, lift your chest, drop your chin slightly and relax your shoulders, pulling your shoulders blades back and down.
Ensure your workstation is set up to help you sit properly.
Stretch and change position frequently while you are working.
Try not to sleep on your stomach, which overextends your neck.
Choose the correct pillow for your size and neck support while you sleep.
Combat the muscle tightening effects of stress with relaxation techniques and stretches.
Exercise regularly to improve muscle tone and posture.
Muscle strain. Ongoing overuse of your neck muscles (which can be caused by a poor neck position during everyday activities) can trigger neck muscle strain, causing chronic neck pain and stiffness. The pain is often worse with movement and may be associated with headaches, muscle spasms and restriction of neck movements.
Degenerative disc disease. As we grow older, the soft gelatinous centre of the shock-absorbing discs in our spines dries out. This causes the discs to become narrowed, and the distance between the vertebrae to decrease.
Herniated disc. If the tough outside layer of one of the cervical discs tears, the soft gelatinous centre may bulge outwards, this is known as a herniated disc. Herniated discs can put pressure on nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord, causing pain in the neck as well as pain, numbness and weakness in the arms.
How is the cause of neck pain diagnosed?
Your doctor may be able to determine the cause of your neck pain from your history and physical examination, but sometimes other tests, such as X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans, are required to find the exact cause of your symptoms. These scans can assess the spine and be used to show disc problems, spinal cord problems or compression of your nerve roots.
Sometimes doctors will order electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies — tests that evaluate the electrical activity in nerves and muscles to help determine if there is any nerve damage related to your neck problems. |
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| When to contact your GP straight away |
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Severe neck pain that occurs after a neck injury can be a serious problem, and you should see your doctor immediately. Also, if you have problems with neck pain and experience symptoms such as loss of bladder control, shooting pains, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs, especially if these symptoms come on suddenly, you should see your doctor straight away.
Neck pain and stiffness that’s associated with headache and fever can be a sign of meningitis (an infection of the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord). Meningitis is a serious disease, and you should seek immediate medical treatment if you are experiencing these symptoms. Meningitis is a serious disease, and you should seek immediate medical treatment if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Neck pain is common in today’s society and the majority is benign and mechanical often caused by poor posture or desk work.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to call Central City Chiropractic on 08 9221 4527. Either book a free 5 minute consultation, or have a chat with one of our chiropractors who will be happy to answer your questions. |
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