If you have a neck, and I believe we all do, at some point in your life you are going to have neck pain. The neck is a complex series of joints that provide protection to the spinal cord and all the spinal nerves, while at the same time affording us an incredible amount of mobility we need to survive and thrive.

Not only is the neck strong enough to support the 10 plus pound melon that most of us possess, but it also a marvel of engineering, allowing about 180 degrees of rotation, flexion and extension. All at the same time and combined for great movement and all the while securely protection the very delicate spinal cord.

The seven small spinal bones in the neck, which doctors number C-1 to C-7, make up the cervical spine. Protected inside these cervical vertebrae is the spinal cord, the major neural pathway from the brain to the rest of the body. An injury to the spinal cord can result in immediate paralysis or death.

Headaches, vision disturbances, dizziness, difficulties with concentration or memory, a ringing in the ears, learning impairments, nasal, tongue and throat problems have all been associated with problems traced to the neck. In fact due to it complexity, the neck in one of the most important structures of the humane body, and is often over looked.

Many everyday habits or activities can contribute to neck pain. Sleeping in an awkward position, slumping over a desk, overwork, squeezing a telephone between the ear and shoulder, or straining to see over a steering wheel ail may cause muscle fatigue or strains.

Anger, fear or mental stress can cause neck muscles to tighten which, if prolonged, can lead to painful muscle spasms. Tension headaches also frequently follow bouts with neck pain.

Sleeping in bad position

exposed neck to the cold

slumping head forward

Sports injuries

falling down

sneezing

Arthritic changes in the spinal bones like spurs (abnormal bony growths), disc degeneration, and muscle or ligament deterioration may change the normal, healthy curve of the neck.

The chiropractic approach to treating neck pain is to find the source of the neck pain and correct it. By correcting the source of the problem, the body can heal naturally without nerve interference. Neck pain, often responds dramatically to the restoration of normal spinal function through chiropractic care.

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