Neck Pain & stiffness
Chiropractic treatment can help to ease your neck pain and stiffness through gentle manipulation of the joints to free the movement and relaxation of the muscles to reduce pain levels.
Neck pain and stiffness is a common condition, your neck (also called the cervical spine) is an amazing structure, being strong enough to support your head, weighing on average 11 pounds with the freedom and ability to move in a variety of directions. The cervical spine has 7 vertebra, each vertebra has a disc and a pair of facet joints, these joints are supported by a network of muscles, ligaments and tendons to provide stability and movement. Each vertebra in your neck has a pair of nerve roots, these nerves transmit signals to your head, shoulders, arms and chest. Which is why neck pain is often accompanied by headaches, shoulder and arm pain.
Muscle pain in the neck can be caused through an awkward night’s sleep or a trauma such as whiplash, this causes the muscles in the neck to react, tightening and causing a muscle spasm, which in turn causes muscle tiredness and weakness resulting in pain and stiffness.
Strain to the little vertebral facet joints, results in the pain and stiffness you would expect with any joint strain, these little joints can become tight and restricted once strained causing a loss of range of motion. Gentle chiropractic mobilisation eases off the restrictions and restores movement.
Cervical disc problems can occur in the discs in between the vertebra, the degeneration of the discs causes them to become a little smaller in height, trauma can cause the disc to bulge or herniate pressing on the delicate nerve roots causing pain, tingling and numbness.
Posture can be a major factor in assessing neck complaints, long periods of time spend looking down with the neck in a forward flexed posture increases the strain on the joints and muscles of the neck, resulting in weakness and changes to the mechanics of the neck.
Chiropractic treatment of neck pain occurs following assessment to determine which levels of the neck are involved and the muscles and nerves affected. The joints in the spine may create a clicking sound when they are released, this a normal sound and is created by the release of a tiny air bubble from within the joint.
Goals of Chiropractic Care The main goals of chiropractic care in the treatment of neck pain include:
- Reduce pain
- Increase range of motion
- Release tension in the spinal facet joints
- Relax tight muscles
- Stimulate nerves
- Improve spinal function