As a matter of fact… 

Most Doctors and GPs are not trained in the detection of these hidden injuries

If you have been in a car accident, you need a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body, someone who treats these injuries every day. In addition, x-rays can be taken to find out if there has been any structural damage. In our clinic, we evaluate car accident victims and, if necessary, make any referrals to other health care providers if needed.

Our primary responsibility is giving you the care when you needed it and submitting the required medical reports to the insurance company so your rights are protected. Having a professional medico-legal report from the independent specialist would enhance your claim. Majority of medico-legal assessments are carried out by the doctors appointed on behalf of insurance companies and medico-legal agencies who are employed by the same insurance companies to type up your 10-15 minute verbal assessment with the doctor. If the accident is deemed not to be your fault, you are entitled to seek private medical treatment, also have all treatment deemed necessary  being fully paid for, you should make this clear to any insurance company that’s dealing with your claim, however you seek independent advice, as there maybe a conflict of interest unknown to yourself.

If the case is too severe to be treated conservatively, i.e. if we cannot help you, we will refer you to the specialist (usually neurosurgeon) who can deal with your case.

For further information on “Whiplash” or Neck Pain, go to top left corner under “pain or conditions”. 

Cervical disc herniation & evaluation,

Neurologic symptoms of disc disease, Pain shooting down the arm, with numbness, tingling Neck Pain

Neck Pain

Any injury to the neck, even a minor twisting or Whiplash  (WAD), can result in a prolapsed or “slipped” disc. This is also referred to as a “herniated” disc. The spinal column consists of vertebrae that are anatomically positioned on top of one another, from the tailbone to the base of the skull.

The vertebrae are separated by fibers encapsulating a soft centre gelatin like structures which are known as discs. Any destruction, rupture, movement, or prolapse of a disc can result in compression on a nearby exiting nerve root. Irritation of the nerve root gives rise to the typical neurologic symptoms of disc disease. Pain shooting down the arm, with numbness, tingling, or weakness in one arm is commonly seen.

Neck Pain symptoms.

Other common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, with reduction in overall range of motion.

Neck Pain and evaluation.

Chiropractic evaluation will include physical examination to reveal any neurologic deficit.

Digital X-rays of the neck will be done to rule out any fractures or reveal changes consistent with degenerative arthritis, which could mimic a disc problem.

CT-scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning can show the discs and nerves themselves. Cervical disc herniation can be diagnosed using these tests.

Neck Anatomy

The head  weight of 12 lbs  not only does the neck fully support all that weight, it enables the  head to turn or move up or down No other part of the spine has the ability to move so much: in forward motion, and in backward motion, this also includes the  side-to-side motion, and from  shoulder to shoulder. 

The neck is called the cervical spine, and it begins at the base of your skull. It contains 7 small bones (vertebrae), which doctors label C1 to C7 (the ‘C’ means cervical). The numbers 1 to 7 indicate the level of the vertebrae. C1 is nearest to the skull, while C7 is nearest to the chest.

In between each vertebra are tough fibrous shock-absorbing discs called the intervertebral discs? Each disc is made up of a gel-like outer band (annulus fibrosus) and a gel-like inner substance (nucleus pulposus).

Besides the bones and the discs, the neck consists of joints, muscles, and ligaments these stabilize and give the neck its full range of movement.

The neck is the upper part of the spinal cord, and consists of nerve roots, and an elaborate system of arteries and veins. The nerves in the neck help the brain communicate with the shoulders, arms, and chest. The arteries and veins circulate blood to both the brain and the heart.

Our necks are complex and delicate, and they are subject to physical and emotional stress every day! Most people who work with computers, or who sit most of the day, develop some ongoing neck pain eventually. Chiropractic adjustments address the structural problems in your neck, which leads to long-term improvement.

The stress of day-to-day living is difficult enough. But when you’re in pain, life can be unbearable! That’s why it’s important to take care of yourself. If you suffer from neck pain or stiffness, you should seek professional chiropractic care. Chiropractors are especially trained to deal with pain related to spinal problems. And chiropractic has been scientifically proven to be effective in relief of neck pain!
There are a number of injuries and conditions that cause neck pain. The four listed below are the most common.

(1) Postural and repetitive strain (the most common)

(2) Traumatic injury, such as a car accident

(3)”Slipped”, herniated and ruptured disc

(4) Neck pain associated with aging and osteoarthritis

Each of these conditions is treated differently and in a specific way. So a proper diagnosis is tremendously important, for there to be effective treatment. Sitting in front of a computer can cause trigger points to develop in the muscles of the neck and shoulders. Long periods of sitting can also cause the cervical spine to straighten, which leads to degeneration of the cervical spine.

Your Neck is a Delicate and complex machine

Your neck performs a delicate balancing act every day. As funny as it may sound, just by holding up your head your neck balances the equivalent of a 12 lbs ball on the end of a stick! That’s hard work!

Not only does your neck have the difficult job of balancing your head, it also houses vital blood vessels and nerves, along with the thyroid glands, the larynx, the oesophagus, the trachea, the brain stem, the spinal cord, and the spinal column!

Any neck injury must be taken seriously and closely evaluated. Even “minor” injuries can cause “major” problems when it comes to your neck.

Unfortunately, traditional methods of treating neck pain don’t always get to the root of the problem. You may have been told before that you should “take two aspirin” and take it easy for a while.

However, resting your neck can actually cause further injury to your neck because your muscles begin to deteriorate when you don’t use them. By taking harmful drugs or “babying” your neck, you may actually be making your neck problem worse!

What Chiropractic can do for neck pain

Chiropractic takes an active approach toward ending your neck pain. Rather than just giving you pain relievers to treat your symptoms, we can find and correct the cause of your pain.

You may be suffering from neck pain as a result of a “whiplash”(WAD) injury from an automobile accident or fall. Or, you may complain of pain in your neck from sitting in front of a computer all day, lifting heavy objects, or even picking up a child!

Chiropractic adjustments can restore proper function to the vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments in your neck. We may also recommend exercises that you can do at home to strengthen your muscles and restore normal range of motion to your neck.

Your neck pain could also be the result of referred pain. This occurs when stress on your nervous system or degeneration of your tissue produces pain in another area.

With gentle chiropractic adjustments, we can eliminate interference from subluxations and degeneration along your spine, and restore proper nerve flow. Whatever the cause, chiropractic is serious care for a serious problem.

Scientifically Proven Pain Relief

Studies have shown that chiropractic is safe and effective care for neck pain. One study, funded by a major insurance company, found that chiropractic is a safer approach to neck pain than prescribing pain killing medication, which can have dangerous side effects.

Another study, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 1995, found chiropractic to be more effective than using aspirin or Tylenol. Patients who received chiropractic care reported significant improvement in their neck pain and neck function as compared those patients taking aspirin or Tylenol. Chiropractic patients had better strength in range of motion after treatment as well.

For further in depth information on Neck Pain, “Whiplash” (WAD) ect. Please go to top left corner under “PAIN or “CONDITIONS”.

When should I seek immediate medical treatment for neck pain?

Severe neck pain that begins shortly after a neck injury can be a serious problem, and it is strongly advisable to seek medical advice from a Doctor of Chiropractic preferably in the clinic with X Ray Facilities.  If neck pain is associated with shooting pains, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs, especially if these symptoms come on suddenly, you should see a British Chiropractic Association Doctor of Chiropractic or your local Doctor immediately.

The cervical spine starts at the base of the skull. Seven vertebrae make up the cervical spine with eight pairs of cervical nerves branching off the spinal cord. The individual cervical vertebrae are abbreviated C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7. The cervical nerves are also abbreviated C1 through C8.

The bones of cervical spine - the vertebrae – are smaller in size when compared to other spinal vertebrae. The purpose of the cervical spine is to contain and protect the spinal cord, support the skull, and enable diverse head movement.

A complex system of ligaments, tendons, and muscles help to support and stabilize the cervical spine. Ligaments work to prevent excessive movement that could result in serious injury. Muscles also help to provide spinal balance and stability, and enable movement. Muscles contract and relax in response to nerve impulses originating in the brain. Some muscles work in pairs or as antagonists. This means when a muscle contracts, the opposing muscle relaxes. There are different types of muscle: forward flexors, lateral flexors, rotators, and extensors.