Neck Pain

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Neck pain is a very common issue in our society and understanding the causes and prevention of neck pain will go a long way to leading a healthy and pain-free life. Here are some of the most common causes of neck pain we see in our office:

• Cervical Joint Irritation
• Cervical Sprain/Strains
• Cervical Disc Disorders
• Whiplash

Facet joints are the small joints in our spine that connect one vertebra to another. These joint surfaces can become irritated, resulting in deep, achy neck pain. You may experience that it is painful to bend, rotate, or bend to the side.. You may also notice that your neck is fairly stiff, especially first thing in the morning. Cervical joint irritation responds very well to conservative care! Chiropractic adjustments and exercises that encourage your low back to move properly work great in decreasing low back pain caused by lumbar joint irritation! 

Our necks are filled with muscles and ligaments to help support the weight of our heads. Sprains and strains are the results of these tissues being stretched and damaged. A sprain means that the tough, durable ligaments that hold your bones together have been damaged, while strain means that your muscles or tendons that move your trunk have been injured. These tissues are very strong and resilient! Sprain/strain injuries are uncommon in everyday life, with most occurring after a traumatic accident such as a motor vehicle collision or an athletic injury.  

Your neck consists of seven vertebrae with flexible cushions called intervertebral discs separating each set of vertebrae. There is no disc between the first two bones in your neck. A disc is made up of two components: the nucleus pulposus (the jelly-like middle) and the annulus fibrosis (strong collagen fibers that encircle the nucleus pulposus). Disc injuries typically occur due to repetitive forward bending, heavy lifting, or through trauma, like a car accident. This can cause the nucleus pulposis to start pushing back against the annulus fibrosis, eventually causing tears in the inner parts of the annulus.

You may notice that your neck back pain is worst first thing in the morning or gets worse if you use a computer or your phone for long periods of time. If the injury to your disc continues to progress, it may result in carpal tunnel-like type symptoms, where you notice numbness or tingling in your arms or hands.

Whiplash in Lakeland is a common injury to the neck muscles that occur when the head is rapidly moved backward or forward and then speedily “whipped” in the opposite direction. This can cause short-term or acute neck pain and restricted movement. The ligaments and muscles in the neck are stretched beyond the normal motion range. The soft tissues can tear or sprain leading to discomfort and pain. 

While it commonly arises from a car accident, people get whiplash also from high-impact sports, amusement park rides, or even sudden falls. The common symptoms of whiplash are:

• Neck stiffness and pain
• Pain in the arms, upper back, and shoulders
• Blurred vision
• Headaches particularly the back of the head
• Challenges in concentrating
• Extreme fatigue
• Vertigo or dizziness