Common Causes of Neck Pain

 

1.  Misalignment  (Also called Facet Syndrome or Subluxation)

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The most common cause of neck pain is a problem with the facet joints. These are the joints that interlock or connect the vertebrae of the spine together. There are 48 facet joints, any of which can misalign (subluxate) or become 'locked', stiff and dysfunctional. Manipulation of these joints is by far the most effective form of treatment and is what makes Chiropractic so successful. 

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Problems with these joints are the biggest single cause of spinal pain. When a vertebrae is misaligned and not moving as it should, the patient can experience pain, stiffness, difficulty with movement, discomfort when sitting and sleeping as well as referred symptoms to the shoulder, arm and hand - numbness, pain, tingling, etc.

 

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2. Stiff or worn discs

If you sit for many hours, over many years, the discs (cartilage pads between the vertebrae) can stiffen and loose their flexibility. Over many years, they start to thin or degenerate. This results in chronic stiffness. Over time, this sets you up for pain, pinched nerves and disc herniation. 

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3. Weak, tight or imbalanced muscles

If you sit for many hours and don't exercise enough, your weight bearing muscles will become stiff and weak. This adds to the pressure on joints and discs and is a significant cause of spinal pain. As we age, muscles weaken and we need to make the effort to stay strong or risk premature aging. This is all compounded by weight - if you are too heavy for your frame, something will start to buckle - often the weight bearing joints from feet to spine.

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Treatment 

Depending on your condition, a treatment plan will be recommended. Misaligned facet joints respond very well to spinal manipulation (adjustment or alignment). Degenerative or worn discs respond well to decompression techniques. Muscle testing can help identify weaknesses and appropriate exercises can be recommended.

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  * We try to find what works for you - patients may prefer one form of treatment over the other.
  * Severe cases – may require referral for x-rays, MRI scans, facet joint injection or surgical evaluation.

 

Maintenance and Management

Neck problems are often chronic. Joints may have been locked and out of alignment for many months will require follow up care after the initial course of treatment. This is because the local muscles and tissues have developed a ‘muscle memory’ pattern that is very likely to repeat itself over and over. To successfully break the pattern, these maintenance visits are of utmost importance.