Health First Research

Chiropractors are well-aware that all too often life can be a pain in the neck, literally as well as metaphorically. In fact, your Grand Rapids chiropractor has been treating cervical disc injuries using his patented two-way traction devices for more than eleven years!  Chiropractors are also well-aware that the emotional circumstances in one’s life that sometimes seem like a “pain in the neck” may change in a heartbeat, but neck pain generated by physical stress and injury can stick around unabated and, unfortunately, if not addressed, such challenges can get much worse. Pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness down the arm and into the fingers, as well as pain in the neck region, are common symptoms of neck injury. Neck injuries can contribute to tension headaches, as well as head pain. Finding the reason for your particular neck pain will require a thorough examination and evaluation by your chiropractor because chiropractic treatment has been found to be the most effective, non-invasive treatment that works!

There are numerous causes for neck pain and associated symptoms. The neck might sustain trauma from an accident causing strained muscles, sprained ligaments, and spinal joint injuries. Sitting at a computer and/or performing repetitive tasks can produce postural stress as well. Such stress creates muscular tension and inflammation in the neck and upper back. Postural stress can also be caused by abberant spinal mechanics and weak or underdeveloped muscles. In addition, chronic neck pain due to inflammation of the soft tissues can occur due to the degeneration of the spinal joints caused by the aging process, as well a “slipped,” herniated, or ruptured cervical discs.

Using his own patented two-way traction devices, Grand Rapids chiropractor, Dr. Douglas McKenzie, specializes in the treatment of cervical disc injury.  A chiropractor who has developed a specialized natural and unique mechanical approach to cervical disc injury treatment? Who could ask for more?! In his Grand Rapids chiropractic office, his treatments result in pain relief, decrease in tension, increase in motion, and an overall sense of well-being.

When it comes to knowledge and experience in caring for the spine and musculoskeletal system, no doctors are more qualified than chiropractors, like this Grand Rapids chiropractor. If you’ve been searching for relief from your neck pain, you don’t need to look any further than your chiropractor. Don’t wait to visit a chiropractor near you. And, if you’re in the Grand Rapids area, call Dr. Douglas McKenzie. He’ll evaluate and discover the reason for your neck pain and treat it at its source.

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Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always the reason for our stiff and painful neck when we arise in the morning. We also try to figure out what is occurring when sudden neck movement causes a sharp pain that feels as if “something” has slipped out of position or that a nerve is being “pinched.” Though it may seem so, one single incident is rarely the cause of most neck problems, but rather the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, bad work and lifestyle habits, and lack of healthy exercise for strength and flexibility. Naturally, some neck challenges are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

To understand neck pain, it is helpful to have knowledge of the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the neck are comprised of posterior joints, called facets, that connect vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, comprised of strong cartilage, join the “bodies” of the vertebrae. This dense cartilage encases the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The main function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. The spinal cord is situated between the facets of the vertebrae. Spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae and supply energy to muscles and organs of the body. Transversely, they carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain.  The nerves that leave from the neck are responsible for the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The neck has a natural forward curve when viewed from the side that helps properly balance the weight of the head, as well as to decrease stress on the neck joints. For more information please feel free to visit your Colorado Springs Chiropractor.

Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use

Computer use has risen significantly over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, a large number of people spend eight to ten hours a day, or more, bent over a keyboard and staring at a monitor. Sitting with the head in a forward bent position (the posture most computer users take on), puts tremendous strain on neck ligaments and muscles. In addition, the normal forward curve of the neck becomes reversed producing more stress upon all the surrounding tissues of the neck. Awkward posture and repetitive stress can create spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the principal causes of spinal nerve inflammation. Conjointly with general pain, spinal nerve inflammation in the neck can cause symptoms including headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.

Headaches and Chiropractic Care

Headaches or migraines are usually associated with disorders of the cervical spine. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are caused when the cervical vertebrae lose their natural position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, connected with structures in the head are stretched or inflamed. In many instances the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, can also refer pain to the head.  Many other factors are related to headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Still one must always look at the tissues and alignment of the neck when considering the cause of headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to exceptionally beneficial in the treatment of headaches. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor can give you further information regarding treatment and pain relief.

Whiplash and Chiropractic Care

Unfortunately, many people are involved in car accidents. Beyond question the most common auto accident is when one car collides into the rear-end of another car. During such an accident, the passenger in the front car gets his or her head powerfully wrenched backward and then forward causing injury to the structures of the back and front of the neck. Such a strong force can cause injury to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Whiplash injury includes neck pain and immobility, and other symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and should pain, tingling in the hands and fingers, and weakness of the arms and hand. It is crucial to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. More often than not in most cases, the injuries are primarily to the soft tissues and joints. Proper treatment is essential in recovery from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is educated to understand whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.

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