Neck Pain Causes
I’ve been seeing quite a few cases of neck pain in my San Francisco office.
Neck pain can be caused by a number of things. Most are musculoskeletal in nature; cancer and other serious diseases are a more rare cause.
If you have recurring neck pain, think back: were you ever in a car accident or similar accident where your neck was subjected to a jolting force? If the answer is “yes” chances are that your neck pain is related to malpositioned cervical (neck) vertebrae.
This x-ray to the left shows how an old injury like a car accident can cause the neck to bend in the wrong direction. Normally, the cervical spine (neck curve) should be a gentle, inward arc of about 35 degrees. The arc, as most architects know, is a simple shape that is efficient in supporting weight. In fact, bridges are built with a slight convex arc to support the weight of all the traffic.
If the arc is flattened or worse, reverses, then the neck has a more difficult time supporting the weight of the head. As time goes on, osteophytes, which are little bony projections, may form in response to the abnormal weight distribution. People with flattened neck curvatures are more prone to neck pain from activities like running and jumping, as the neck loses its “shock absorption” capability.
If this describes you, there is still a chance to reshape your cervical spine in the proper curvature. It involves chiropractic adjustments and daily neck traction using a portable device called a spine retrainer. The device places your neck in the arched position, and further stretches it using an air bladder and pump. The deep ligaments along the front of the neck are stretched to accommodate the arc shape.
You can also buy a Tempurpedic Neck Pillow. These are high quality pillows with a special contour to support the curvature of the neck. The viscoelastic material resists deformation (doesn’t flatten as much as a regular pillow with use).
Persistent, deep neck pain that limits movement and is associated with arm numbness or tingling is most often caused by cervical disc herniation. In a disc herniation, the inner disc material bulges backwards into the spinal canal where the nerves reside. This is a more complex condition that may require surgery. However, some cases of disc herniation have been known to improve with chiropractic treatment.
Dan Perez, DC
San Ramon chiropractor
