Neck Pain Coventry & Neck Injury Birmingham

The neck (cervical spine) is composed of vertebrae that begin at the base of the skull and end in the upper torso. The vertebrae along with the ligaments provide stability to the spine. The muscles allow for support and movement of the neck. The neck supports the weight of the head which is 14 to 16 lbs amounting to a significant load for the neck to cope with during motion thus increasing stress onto the neck (cervical spine). Compare to the rest of the spine, the neck is less protected and is more susceptible to injury and various disorders that can result in pain and restricted motion. Sometimes neck pain can be a temporary condition going away on its own accord; other cases require medical diagnosis and treatment to relieve the symptoms.

Cause of Neck Pain

Neck pain may result from injury to the soft tissues including muscles, ligaments, nerves, bones and joints of the spine. Soft tissue injuries or prolonged wear and tear are amongst the most common causes of neck pain. Infection or tumours may cause neck pain in rare instances. Sometimes neck problems may be the source of pain in the upper back, shoulders, or arms.

Inflammatory Diseases

The vertebral column. Rheumatoid arthritis involves joints in the neck and may cause severe stiffness and pain. Rheumatoid arthritis usually occurs in the upper neck area.

Cervical Disk Degeneration

Cervical disc degeneration usually occurs in people aged 40 and older. Disks act as shock absorbers between the bones. During cervical disk degeneration the normal gelatin like centre of the disk dries out and the gap between the vertebrae narrows. As the disk space narrows, added stress is imposed onto the joints of the spine exacerbating further wear and degenerative changes. When occurs when cervical disk protrudes due to the weakening of its rim, putting pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Neck Injuries

Due to its flexibility and the weight of the head it supports, the neck is extremely vulnerable to neck injuries. Road traffic or diving accidents, contact sports, and falls are the main causes of neck injury. A "rear end" shunt during car accident may result in hyperextension, a backward motion of the neck beyond normal limits, or hyperflexion, a forward motion of the neck beyond normal limits. The use of seat belts and head restrains in cars can help to prevent or minimize neck injury. The soft tissues such as muscles and ligaments are most commonly involved. Severe neck injuries including fracture or dislocation of the neck may lead to the damage the spinal cord and cause paralysis.

Whiplash Coventry & Birmingham

Whiplash injury occurs when the body reacts to sudden deceleration or acceleration force causing hyperflexion or hyperextension of the neck.

Whiplash injuries are associated with car accidents. The whiplash injury is sustained when the muscles of the neck and shoulders do not have enough time to brace and hold the head during sudden acceleration or deceleration force application, leading to injuries of the muscles, ligaments, capsule of the facet joints and discs of cervical spine.

Uncomplicated cases

Whiplash cases that are uncomplicated are the result of sprained ligaments in the neck. The muscles spasm naturally to form a protective mechanism for the neck. The whiplash injury may cause a stiff neck and pain may be present down one or both arms if the nerve roots of cervical part of spinal cord get compressed. Relief for whiplash can be found with chiropractic treatment, physical therapy or pain medication.

Studies have shown that 35 of 39 patients, or 91%, of patients with chronic whiplash benefited from chiropractic treatment.

Severe cases

In severe cases of whiplash may last for a month or more with persistent and in some cases constant pain. This may indicate that the whiplash injury has extensive damage and resulting in discs rupturing and trapped nerves in the neck. This may also predispose to a "slipped", ruptured or herniated disc in the back (See our Low Level Laser Therapy Section under Pain Relief).

Other Causes of neck pain

Tumors, infections, or congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae are less common causes of neck pain.

When Should You Seek Medical Care?

Cases of severe neck pain occur following an injury such as motor vehicle accident, blow to the head or fall related accident. Only a trained professional, such as a paramedic, should immobilize the patient to avoid the risk of further injury and possible paralysis. Medical care should be sought immediately.

Immediate medical care should also be sought when an injury causes pain in the neck that radiates down the arms and legs. Radiating pain or numbness in your arms or legs causing weakness in the arms or legs without significant neck pain should also be evaluated. If there has not been an injury, you should seek medical care when neck pain is:

• continuous and persistent
• severe
• accompanied by pain that radiates down the arms or legs
• accompanied by headaches, numbness, tingling, or weakness

Diagnosis

Determining the source of the pain is essential to recommend the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Therefore, a comprehensive examination is required to determine the cause of neck pain.

Your Chiropractor will take a complete history of the symptoms you are having with your neck. The Chiropractor may ask you about other illnesses, any injury that occurred to your neck, and any complaints you have associated with neck pain. Previous treatment for your neck condition will also be noted.

Chiropractor will also perform a physical examination. This examination may include evaluation of neck motion, tenderness of the neck and the function of the nerves and muscles in your arms and legs.

X-rays often will be obtained to allow your Chiropractor to look at the bones in your neck. This entails simple diagnostic imaging study (radiography) and aids your Chiropractor to determine the cause of neck pain and to prescribe effective treatment.

Further evaluation may involve the following:

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This non x-ray study allows an evaluation of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
• CT (computed tomography). This specialized x-ray study allows careful evaluation of the bone and spinal canal.
• EMG (electromyography). This test evaluates nerve and muscle function.

Treatment

The treatment of neck pain depends on the diagnosis. Most patients are treated successfully with Chiropractic Treatment. Also rest, medication, immobilization, exercise, activity modifications, or a combination of these methods can be very useful.

Inflammation is a result of stretching muscles and ligaments beyond their limits, (See also Cold Laser Therapy under conditions treated; this therapy is extremely affective in the treatment of inflammation). Surgery is required in very few cases to relieve neck pain. For most patients, a combination of Chiropractic treatment, rest, medication, and physical therapy will relieve neck pain. Surgery may be necessary to reduce pressure on the spinal cord or a nerve root when pain is caused by a herniated disk or bony narrowing of the spinal canal. Surgery may also be required following an injury to stabilize the neck and minimize the possibility of paralysis, such as when a fracture results in instability of the neck.