Neck Pain: What are its causes? What can be done?
Neck pain is a common ailment that affects
50-70% of people some time in their lives.
The severity can range from mere nuisance to
major disability. There are a number of
potential causes of neck pain ranging from
poor posture to whiplash.
In most cases, neck pain can be dealt with
effectively, if the right approach is taken.
However, there are a wide variety of factors
that can contribute to neck pain. For
successful treatment, these factors must be
identified and treated as they affect each
individual.
At the Rhode Island Spine Center, we establish
a treatment strategy that is personalized to
each patient. We treat all patients as
individuals with specific needs and treatment
goals. We are committed to providing the
highest quality non-surgical care for neck
pain, in a warm, caring
environment.
What Are the Factors That Contribute to Most Neck Pain?
We believe that most cases of neck pain can
be attributed to what is called dysfunction.
This simply means that the joints and muscles,
and nervous system are not performing their
job at optimum efficiency.
Joint Dysfunction
Joint dysfunction occurs when one of the joints
in the spine or limbs loses its normal resiliency
and shock absorption capacity. When a joint
develops joint dysfunction, its normal range of
movement is affected and the joint can become
painful. In addition, because the joint contains
nerve receptors, the dysfunction can cause
abnormal signals to be sent to the central
nervous system that can cause the muscles related
to that joint to either become tense or,
conversely, to become limp.
Muscle Dysfunction
Some muscles respond to joint dysfunction by
becoming tense and overactive, while others
respond by becoming limp and underactive. In
either case, one thing that can happen in these
muscles is the development of trigger points,
areas of congestion within the muscle where
toxins accumulate. These toxins can irritate
the nerve endings within the muscle and
produce pain.
Because the joints and muscles contain a great
number of nerve receptors, joint and muscle
dysfunction can cause abnormal neurological
signals to be sent into the central nervous
system. This can then disrupt the ability
of the nervous system to properly regulate
muscles in other parts of the body, leading
to the development of instability.
Instability
Instability occurs when the muscles whose job
it is to support the spine and protect the
discs and joints fail to function properly.
These muscles must work cooperatively and
harmoniously to guard against strain to the
back. But injury, disuse or joint and muscle
dysfunction can cause these muscles to stop
working at optimum, rendering the spine
susceptible to injury.
Disc Derangement
Sometimes these joint and muscle dysfunctions
and faulty movement patterns put strain on the
discs that
are positioned between the vertebrae and small
tears in the disc can develop. These small
tears can allow the gel that is held in the
middle of the disc to seep out into the tears
and irritate the nerve endings in the outer
portion of the disc. This is known as disc
derangement. Occasionally, but uncommonly,
this gel can seep all the way out and press
on one of the nerve roots that exit the spinal
cord in front of the disc. This is known as
disc herniation. When this happens,
pain in the neck as well as in the arm can
develop, along with neurological symptoms such
as numbness, tingling and muscle weakness.
How Does the Doctor Detect the Cause of My Neck Pain?
At the Rhode Island Spine Center, the staff
Chiropractic Physicians are trained in the
differential diagnosis of neck pain. This includes
the identification of significant joint and muscle
dysfunction, faulty movement patterns and disc
derangement or herniation discussed previously, as
well as the more uncommon but potentially serious
disorders that can produce neck pain.
History Taking
The process starts with history taking.
By obtaining the required detailed
information, the doctor is able to rule
out more serious problems and direct the
examination to the areas and processes
that are most likely causing the pain.
Physical Examination
This is followed by the physical examination,
which involves motion palpation, muscle
examination, and assessment of mobility and
stability as well as neurological examination
and general physical tests.
Advanced Testing
Occasionally, it is necessary to obtain advanced
testing such as x-ray,
CT scan,
MRI, blood tests,
or other physical tests to further investigate
the problem.
In most cases, after history taking, examination, and
further testing are complete, a diagnosis can be
established. If the problem is determined to be one
that is treatable at the Rhode Island Spine Center,
and your case is accepted, a treatment strategy is
formulated and recommended to you. This strategy will
be discussed with you prior to the institution of any
treatment.
What Will the Treatment Consist of?
The staff of Chiropractic Physicians and Physical
Therapists work as a team to provide the best care
for you. The treatment will be directed at those
primary dysfunctions that were detected during the
examination. The most common treatments are:
Spinal Manipulation
Spinal Manipulation consists of gently moving
the involved joint into the direction in which
it is restricted and may involve the application
of a short, quick movement in that direction.
In many cases, a quick movement is not used,
but rather, a slow mobilizing movement is used.
"Cracking" type manipulation is often useful but,
in most cases, non-"cracking" techniques are
just as effective. If you are nervous about
"cracking" techniques, please speak to your
treating chiropractic physician.
Muscle Relaxation / Stimulation
Muscle Relaxation or Stimulation Procedures
consist of gentle stretches to the involved
muscle that has excessive tension, or repeated
contractions of the muscle that is weak. Gentle
finger pressure techniques may be applied to
trigger points to relieve the pain associated with these points.
Stabilization / Sensorimotor Exercises
Stabilization or Sensorimotor Exercises are
designed to train your central nervous system
to improve stability so that your neck is
maximally protected during routine activities.
Workplace and Lifestyle Advice
Workplace and Lifestyle Advice is designed to
address factors in your work, home or
recreational activities that perpetuate the
dysfunctions that lead to neck pain.
The treatment strategy will be specific to your
problem and may include one or more of these
approaches, and may involve others as well. This
may include referral to another health professional,
such as an orthopedic specialist, if it is deemed
appropriate.
Neck Pain:
At the Rhode Island Spine Center, we establish
a treatment strategy that is personalized to
each patient. We treat all patients as
individuals with specific needs and treatment
goals. We are committed to providing the
highest quality non-surgical care for neck
pain, in a warm, caring
environment.
At the Rhode Island Spine Center, the staff
Chiropractic Physicians are trained in the
differential diagnosis of neck pain. This includes
the identification of significant joint and muscle
dysfunction, faulty movement patterns and disc
derangement or herniation discussed previously, as
well as the more uncommon but potentially serious
disorders that can produce neck pain.
