Having your head on top of the neck allows the best view of the surroundings. However, biomechanically, this lever arrangement creates a potentially damaging position for injury events. It forces the head to move quickly into extreme ranges of motion during whiplash for example. In addition to the cervical spine (neck) itself, soft tissue and neural (nerve) structures may be damaged in whiplash injuries. Similarly, in a more insidious manner when a forward head position or an “incorrect sleeping posture” is maintained for prolonged periods damage occurs as well. So poor ergonomics can lead to postural pain or stiffness. Studies show approximately 80% of people experience neck pain during their lifetime, and 40% deal with it annually. Here are 3 causes of neck pain and stiffness a chiropractor can help with to learn about.
1. Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Torticollis verus Pseudotorticollis
If your head is held in neutral (posture when the joints are not bent) in pain and you are unable to move it, it could be pseudotorticollis. In “classic torticollis” the neck is deviated/twisted in one direction. Pseudotorticollis has no known cause. However, an exam must be performed to rule out any number of causes for classic torticollis. And causes for classic torticollis include CNS (central nervous system) infection, tumor, and basal ganglion (group of neurons/nerve cells in the brain involved in voluntary movement) disease. Finally, congenital (born with it) torticollis is due to birth trauma (i.e. breech delivery).
Torticollis is an acute or chronic often painful condition characterized by involuntary intermittent or sustained contraction of the muscles of the neck. This causes the head to tilt or turn sideways, bend forward or backward. For instance, these muscles could be the sternocleidomastoid (muscle located at the base of your skull on either side of your neck, behind your ears and goes to the sternum and clavicle) or trapezius (either of a pair of large triangular muscles extending over the back of the neck and shoulders and moving the head and shoulder blade). In Pseudotorticollis, the person is unable to move the head in any direction without pain. This could happen due to incorrect sleeping posture.
So Torticollis (called also wryneck) may occur secondary to an injury or a preexisting condition (such as a musculoskeletal abnormality or a neurological disease) but is often of unknown cause. In pseudotorticollis, there is no history of injury/trauma and no obvious cause except perhaps you “woke up with it”.
2. Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Neck Pain Due to Cervical Facet Joints
The facet joints are on either side of the back of each vertebra in the cervical part of the spine (neck). The vertebral bodies make up the bony building blocks of the spinal column. There are two facet joints at each level of the vertebral column (spinal column).
Facet joints provide stability to the spinal column while allowing movement. Encased with capsules the synovial fluid within protects and lubricates the facet joints. Moreover, irritation of the facet joints is the cause. The facet joints become inflamed and may cause pain, soreness and stiffness. Similarly, your deep cervical (neck) muscles may also be spasmed and be a contributing factor.
3. Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Neck Pain from Arthritis
Primary Osteoarthritis occurs usually in middle-aged to elderly people (>45 years old). It is more prevalent in women (female to male 10:1). Primary means this osteoarthritis develops due to aging and the wear and tear that comes along with it. Often initially asymptomatic, you will have a gradual increase in joint stiffness and pain. Primary osteoarthritis is due to progressive degeneration of the joint or joints involved by an accumulation of microtrauma. A microtrauma is an injury resulting from repetitive stress to tissues.
Chiropractic Adjustments Offer an Alternative to Pain Medication
Adjustments can help keep painful joints more comfortable while also improving function and range of motion. Chiropractors use gentle manipulation to adjust your joints and manipulate muscles to return to their proper structure. With proper alignment, your body’s equilibrium is restored, which in turn helps increase the healing of your damaged joint tissues. In summary, the chiropractic adjustment works by restoring function which decreases the inflammation and the pain goes away.
Chiropractor West Palm Beach: 3 Causes of Neck Pain and Stiffness
Do you know someone who needs chiropractic care? Contact Dr. Natalie Meiri of Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach today for chiropractic treatment for neck pain or stiffness or another ailment. Call 561-253-8984 to learn more about Chiropractor West Palm Beach: 3 Causes of Neck Pain and Stiffness or to schedule an appointment.