Today’s modern living often entails hours of driving and hunching over workstations, which can be one of the causes of neck pain. It isn’t surprising that neck pain is the second most common condition that our chiropractors and occupational therapists treat. Neck pain is less common than low back pain. However, millions of people experience neck pain and related arm pain at some stage in their lives. Many of these people seek chiropractic care or occupational therapy to help ease the pain.
What Causes Neck Pain?
Neck pain results from abnormalities in the soft tissues – muscles, ligaments, and nerves. As well as in the bone and the joints of the spine. These may be from injury or prolonged wear and tear and in many people. It is also the source of pain in the upper back, shoulders and arms.
Neck pain caused by Muscle Strain
When neck pain is caused by muscle strain, you may have aches and stiffness that spread to the upper arm and forearm. Shooting pain that spreads down the arm into the hand and fingers can be a symptom of a “pinched nerve.” It may also be the result of nerve entrapment in the neck. When a nerve is “pinched” in the neck, numbness, weakness and possibly pain of the hands or arms may occur. Disc injuries are a common cause of nerve entrapments.
Neck injuries caused by Sudden Movement
Injuries to the neck caused by a sudden movement of the head backwards and forwards or sideways, are referred to as “whiplash”. Whiplash can occur from a car accident, sporting injury or an accident at work. Neck or whiplash injuries always warrant a thorough examination.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is most commonly suffered because of a road traffic accident. An impact or collision causes the head to suddenly jerk back and forth beyond its normal limits.
Pain caused by Wear and Tear, Osteoarthritis or Joint Degeneration
Wear and Tear, Osteoarthritis or Joint Degeneration occurs due to the accumulation of stresses and trauma over time. Throughout life the spine is required to withstand considerable weight bearing strain, purely because of the pressures of daily living. The overall effects of degenerative changes of the spine, leads to a feeling of stiffness and reduced spinal mobility. However, just like any other part of the body, the better care that is taken of the spine, the less degeneration is likely to occur.
If you are experiencing neck pain, call Langer Health and Chiropractic in Wembley to book an appointment to discuss your concerns with one of our specialists.