Are you someone who suffers from migraine headaches? If so, you may be looking for treatment options. Even though you may think that you have to take prescription medications in order to treat your migraine headaches, this is not necessarily the case. Continue reading to learn more.

According to research that has been produced by the Migraine Research Foundation:

• Migraines are the third most prevalent illness in the world
• Close to a quarter of all household in the United States have at least one person who suffers from a migraine regularly
• Approximately one out of every eight people worldwide suffer from migraine headaches
• The most common age at which people develop migraine headaches is between 18 and 44
• Close to 90 percent of people who suffer from a migraine have at least one family member who suffers from them as well

For these reasons, it is important for everyone to understand their treatment options. This includes chiropractic care.

Spotting the Signs of a Migraine Headache

First, it is important to be able to spot the signs of a migraine headache. There are two separate types of migraine headaches. The first one is called a migraine headache without aura, meaning that people suffer a migraine headache without realizing it is coming. The second is called a migraine with aura, which means that people may spot a certain smell, see something in their visual field, or receive a different signal letting them know that they are about to develop a headache.

When migraines start, there are a few common symptoms. These include:

• Many people who suffer a migraine headache describe a pounding or throbbing sensation in the head
• They may be able to localize the headache to one side of their head
• They often develop photophobia and phonophobia, meaning that bright lights and loud noises are particularly irritating to them
• Migraine headaches can also lead to nausea and vomiting

Even though many people take prescription medications to treat and prevent migraines, a chiropractor can also help.

Chiropractic Care Can Treat Migraine Headaches

Right now, migraine headaches are still a very active area of research; however, a lot of medical professionals believe that migraine headaches involve issues related to nerve signals and blood flow. That is where a chiropractor can be helpful.

A chiropractor can use a series of spinal adjustments to impact the way nerves send signals throughout the brain. Spinal manipulation might also be able to impact the flow of blood through the central nervous system, helping to treat and prevent migraines. Furthermore, research studies have also indicated that spinal adjustments from a chiropractor might be able to help in the treatment of migraines. Finally, unlike many prescription medications, spinal adjustments minimize the risk of complications and side effects. Therefore, this is an effective treatment for migraine headaches.

Reach Out to a Chiropractor for Help with Migraine Headaches

If you suffer from migraine headaches regularly, you may think that you need to undergo a dangerous medical procedure. Fortunately, this is not always true, and there may be alternative treatment options available. If you visit a chiropractor, he or she may be able to treat your migraine headaches by using spinal adjustments. With a comprehensive treatment plan, you may be able to resolve your migraine headaches while also limiting your complications and side effects. Receiving chiropractic treatment for migraine headaches can lead to a significant improvement in your overall quality of life. Therefore, if you are looking for someone who can help you with your migraine headaches, reach out to us today. We’re here to help!

Costochondritis, also called Tietze syndrome, is one of the most common reasons why people seek the help of a healthcare professional. Unfortunately, this is a condition that is often misdiagnosed because it can present in a wide variety of ways. If you are suffering from costochondritis, you may think that you need to take prescription medications. You might even think that you need to undergo a dangerous surgical procedure. Fortunately, a chiropractor may be able to help someone overcome costochondritis while also minimize complications and side effects. What is costochondritis, and how can a chiropractor help? Keep reading to learn more…

What Is Costochondritis?

Costochondritis is a condition that impacts the body’s ribs. The ribs are designed to protect the trachea, esophagus, lungs, and heart from harm. The ribs operate on hinges, allowing them to expand and contract during your breathing cycle. If one of these hinges doesn’t work properly, or if you develop inflammation within your ribs, you can develop a condition called costochondritis. This is a condition that can lead to pain, swelling, and general discomfort in the area. Depending on the severity, costochondritis can also have a significant impact on your overall quality of life.

What Are the Symptoms of Costochondritis?

Similar to other medical conditions, costochondritis can present in a variety of ways. In general, the most common symptom is pain, pain that usually gets worse when you cough or take a deep breath. This places more stress on your ribs, leading to greater discomfort. Usually, individuals describe costochondritis as a sharp pain or jabbing sensation. However, you may also feel pressure or tightness in the area. It is also possible for this condition to impact multiple ribs instead of just one.

You may also notice swelling in the area. As the condition progresses, you may spot redness or swelling over one or more of your ribs. If you are experiencing severe chest pain, make sure you seek medical care as quickly as possible. That way, other possible conditions can be ruled out.

How Can a Chiropractor Treat Costochondritis?

If you have been diagnosed with costochondritis, there are several ways a chiropractor can help. A chiropractor typically will palpate the area to determine which ribs are swollen, misaligned and causing the most pain. He or she will then use a gentle technique like Activator to adjust the ribs to make sure they’re properly aligned. This will help decrease the swelling around the joints and increase mobility while simultaneously stimulating the nervous system for optimal healing and pain relief.

With regular chiropractic care and careful exercises at home, it is possible to manage the symptoms of costochondritis, address the root cause, and prevent these symptoms from returning in the future. For these reasons, you should count on a chiropractor to help you treat costochondritis effectively.

Rely on a Trained Chiropractor To Help Treat Costochondritis

Ultimately, these are a few of the most important points that everyone should keep in mind if they are dealing with costochondritis. If you have been diagnosed with costochondritis, you may not need to take prescription medications or set foot in the operating room. Instead, you should reach out to a chiropractor to learn more about your treatment options. With the help of a chiropractor, it is possible to address the root cause of costochondritis, not only treating the symptoms on the surface but also preventing them from returning down the road. So if you or a loved one are experiencing this condition, please give us a call. We’re here to help!

If you are like the vast majority of people, you probably have a cell phone that you use on a regular basis. You send text messages, handle emails, and even watch the occasional program from time to time. On the other hand, did you know that your cell phone could be placing a lot of stress on your neck? That is where text neck syndrome could become an issue. How does text neck cause health problems? How can chiropractic care help someone who has been diagnosed with text neck? Continue reading to find out…

Why Does a Cell Phone Place Stress on the Back and Neck?

The cell phone itself does not necessarily place stress on the back and neck. Instead, it is how people use their cell phones that is the issue. First, there is a severe neck angle between the user and the screen. How do you use your cell phone? There is a good chance you look down at the screen. If you crank your neck forward for several hours, this is going to place a significant amount of stress on the muscles in the neck, the ligaments, tendons, and the vertebrae in your spine.

In addition, the touchscreen may also bring your shoulders and head further forward. Because your head is a significant percentage of your body weight, this can place added stress on the muscles in your neck, leading to this syndrome.

How Does Text Neck Present?

If you suffer from text neck, there are a few symptoms that you may develop. These include:

• You may feel a mild ache in your neck or upper back that gets worse with time.
• Depending on the position of your neck, you may also feel shooting or stabbing pains.
• You may notice a hump in your back because of poor posture.
• You may experience reduced flexibility and range of motion in your shoulders, upper back, and neck.

A lot of people with neck and back pain feel they require surgery. Fortunately, this is not always the case. A chiropractor can help.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help?

A chiropractor is a health expert when it comes to the treatment of neck and back issues. There are several ways a chiropractor can help someone suffering from this condition. They include:

• A chiropractor can conduct a complete physical exam, identifying the cause of the problem.
• A chiropractor can use adjustments to ship the vertebrae, ligaments, and tendons in the neck, placing the neck in the best position to recover.
• A chiropractor can also recommend lifestyle and exercise changes that can prevent text neck from coming back.

Once a chiropractor successfully treats text neck, he or she will recommend that people raise the screen to eye level instead of looking down at the cell phone. This could prevent the symptoms from coming back in the future.

Rely on a Chiropractor for Text Neck Treatment

This is only a brief overview of how text neck may unfold. As people continue to use their cell phones, this syndrome is only going to become more common. Therefore, it is important for everyone to take care of their neck by raising the cell phone to eye level instead of cranking their necks forward. Of course, anyone who is experiencing pain in the neck or back should also reach out to a chiropractor for help. A chiropractor will be able to identify the root cause of the issue and treat it while minimizing complications and side effects. If you’re in our area and believe you are suffering from text neck syndrome, give us a call. We’re here to help!

If you are suffering from lower back pain, you are certainly not alone. There are lots of people who suffer from low back pain, and one of the most common causes is spondylolisthesis. Even though you may think that you need to undergo spinal surgery in order to correct this condition, this is not always the case. Chiropractic care may be able to help you if you have been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. What is this condition? How can chiropractic care help you? There are several important points you need to keep in mind. Continue reading to learn more…

What Is Spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis is a specific spinal condition that leads to instability. Your vertebrae are supposed to provide you with some degree of flexibility. This allows you to bend backward, forward, and side to side. At the same time, there may be some situations where your vertebrae move too much.

If one of your vertebrae slips out of place, this could put pressure on a nerve. This can lead to significant pain. If your vertebral discs are irritating the nerves in your back, you may be diagnosed with spondylolisthesis.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms?

Like other conditions, spondylolisthesis can vary markedly in its severity from person to person. Some people who have been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis may not have very many symptoms. Other people may have symptoms that are so severe they are unable to walk.

There are a few common symptoms of spondylolisthesis, including:

• You may experience muscle spasms, particularly in your legs
• Your back may feel a bit stiff because you do not want to move that much due to discomfort
• You may have a difficult time standing for long periods of time
• You might experience pain that gets worse when you bend over
• You may notice numbness or tingling in your feet or ankles
• You may notice a sudden, electrical shock-like sensations that travel down your legs, particularly when you move

It is not unusual for doctors to order x-rays or MRI scans in order to confirm this diagnosis. After you have been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, you may think you need to take prescription medications or undergo surgery. Fortunately, this is not always the case.

How Can a Chiropractor Help Treat Spondylolisthesis?

If you are concerned that you may have spondylolisthesis, you should meet with a chiropractor. A chiropractor can identify the root cause of spondylolisthesis. Then, he or she can develop a treatment plan to eradicate the root cause. This can not only help you treat the symptoms but also prevent them from coming back.

A chiropractor can perform adjustments on your vertebrae, moving them back into the right positions. This can prevent the vertebrae in your back from irritating your nerves. Then, if the chiropractor realizes that your vertebrae are still too close together, traction therapy may be helpful as well. These are just a few of the many treatment techniques that a chiropractor may use to treat spondylolisthesis. Massage therapy, physical therapy, and even acupuncture may play a role in the treatment process, too.

Rely on a Chiropractor for Help with Lower Back Pain

Clearly, a professional chiropractor can help someone who suffers from spondylolisthesis; however, this is only one of the many causes of lower back pain. If you are suffering from lower back pain, you may not have to take prescription medications or undergo surgery in order to treat this condition. Make sure you speak with a chiropractor before you make decisions regarding your health. A chiropractor may be able to help you if you have been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. If you live in our local area, give us a call. We’re here to help!

One of the most common reasons why people seek the help of a healthcare professional has to do with back pain. At the same time, there are many reasons why someone might have back pain. One of the most common causes of back pain is degenerative disc disease. This is a chronic condition that can lead to mobility issues, flexibility problems, and chronic pain. A lot of people believe they need to take prescription medications or undergo surgery in order to correct degenerative disc disease. Fortunately, this is not always the case. A chiropractor may be able to treat degenerative disc disease effectively, helping people avoid side effects and complications. What is this condition, and what are the treatment options? Continue reading to find out…

What Is the Cause of Degenerative Disc Disease?

You have discs in between your spinal vertebrae that act as cushions for the bones in your back. These discs consist of a tough outer wall and a soft inner core. Over time, these discs may start to dry out. At birth, the discs in your spine are mostly water. As you get older, the water leaves these discs, causing them to get thinner. When the discs begin to flatten, they cannot absorb daily wear and tear as well. As a result, there is less cushion between your vertebrae, leading to pain.

In other situations, the discs in your back may actually crack. If these spinal discs develop small tears, this can lead to back pain. The nerves in your back could become irritated, leading to discomfort. In some cases, the disc may completely rupture, leading to a herniated disc.

What Are the Symptoms?

There are a few common symptoms of degenerative disc disease. Examples include:

• You may feel a dull, burning discomfort in your lower back and upper thighs
• The pain may come and go, getting better or worse over time
• The pain is usually worse when you sit and gets better when you begin to move
• The pain may get worse when you twist, lift, or bend

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should visit a chiropractor who can help you arrive at the proper diagnosis.

How Can a Chiropractor Help?

A chiropractor can help you figure out what the best treatment option is. First, he or she will take a full history. Then, your chiropractor will do a full physical exam. After this, your chiropractor may perform a series of adjustments, helping you properly align the vertebrae in your back. In other situations, traction therapy may be helpful to increase the amount of space between the vertebrae in your back. Finally, the chiropractor may also recommend corrective exercises that can strengthen the muscles around your spine, providing more support. Over time, it may be possible to treat degenerative disc disease without prescription medications or surgery.

Trust a Chiropractor To Help You Treat Degenerative Disc Disease

Similar to other medical problems, degenerative disc disease can vary widely in its scope and severity. That is why it is important for you to speak with a chiropractor before you decide to have back surgery. A chiropractor can help you address the root concern of your back pain. Then, using a series of adjustments along with a well-rounded treatment strategy, it is possible to not only treat the symptoms on the surface but also correct the cause and help you stay healthy. If you would like to learn more about degenerative disc disease, give us a call today. We’re here to help!

If you are someone who runs on a regular basis, you understand that you are going to develop aches and pains from time to time. On the other hand, you probably understand the difference between general soreness and a serious injury. One of the most common injuries that runners develop is called iliotibial band syndrome. Usually shortened to IT band syndrome, this is commonly diagnosed when people have overtrained the pelvis and related muscles. This can make the muscles tight and cause them to get in the way of motion, causing chronic discomfort. Fortunately, there are treatment techniques that chiropractors can use to help patients avoid prescription medications and surgical procedures. What is IT band syndrome, and how can a chiropractor help with this condition? Keep reading to find out.

What Is IT Band Syndrome?

The IT band is a thin layer of tissue that is on the outside of the muscles of the left and right leg. It extends from the top of the thigh to the outside of the knee. If this band of tissue gets thick, this leads to IT band syndrome. When you flex or stand up, the IT band tightens. This helps you keep your legs straight, allowing the thigh muscles to relax. If IT band syndrome develops, this can impact the muscles of the buttocks and tensor fascia lata. As a result, this condition can also be called tensor fascia lata syndrome. The two terms are often used interchangeably.

What Are the Symptoms of IT Band Syndrome?

If you have developed this condition, there are a variety of symptoms that might appear. Similar to other conditions, symptoms can vary widely in severity and scope. Some of the most common symptoms of IT band syndrome include:

• Pain that gets worse after running, particularly after climbing stairs, running hills, or running up an incline
• Discomfort that fades when not running to a higher elevation
• Pain that feels like a throbbing or stabbing on the outside of the thigh, hip, or knee
• Pain that restricts the range of motion

In a lot of cases, this condition develops when someone is guilty of overtraining. Even though it is important to stay in shape, you also need to listen to your body and take a rest day from time to time. Otherwise, you could develop this condition.

How Can a Chiropractor Help with IT Band Syndrome Treatment?

There are a lot of treatment options that a chiropractor can use to address this condition. A few common treatment options include:

• Dry needling and acupuncture can provide pain relief
• Stretching and physical therapy can increase the range of motion and flexibility of the IT band itself
• Active Release techniques are commonly incorporated in the treatment plan
• There might be specific adjustments that a chiropractor can perform to loosen the thigh muscles in the leg, removing pressure from the hip and knee

Every treatment plan is going to be customized to meet the individual needs of the patient. This will put you in the best position possible to make a full recovery.

Rely on a Chiropractor To Treat IT Band Syndrome

There are a variety of injuries that runners commonly sustain. Even though IT band syndrome can be frustrating, there are multiple treatment options available. Runners do not necessarily have to use prescription medications or surgical procedures. If you think you are suffering from IT band syndrome, you should seek expert care as quickly as possible. A chiropractor can help you recover completely, not only treating the symptoms on the surface but preventing them from coming back in the future. So if this describes you, please give us a call. We’re here to help!

One of the most common reasons why people seek the care of a trained medical professional is pain. It is true that pain can show up just about anywhere in the body; however, elbow pain is commonly overlooked. When people suffer from elbow pain, this can create a serious quality of life issue. For example, people with elbow pain may have a difficult time opening a door, holding a cup, driving a car, or reading a book. Fortunately, chiropractic care can be helpful for a wide variety of elbow pain issues, including medial and lateral epicondylitis. What are medial and lateral epicondylitis? How can chiropractic care help? Keep reading to learn more…

What Is Medial Epicondylitis?

One common elbow injury is called medial epicondylitis. Also called golfer’s elbow, this is a painful condition where the tendons on the inside of your forearm become inflamed. The pain commonly spreads to your wrist and forearm. Even though the name suggests that golfers can develop this injury, there are other people who can develop medial epicondylitis as well.

There are a few common symptoms that show up with this injury. They include:

• Your elbow may feel stiff
• You may experience some weakness in your wrists and hands
• You may notice numbness and tingling
• You may feel tenderness on the inside of your elbow

A chiropractor can help you diagnose and treat medial epicondylitis.

What Is Lateral Epicondylitis?

Another common elbow injury is called lateral epicondylitis. Also called tennis elbow, this is a painful condition that takes place when the tendons in the elbow become overloaded. Usually, this takes place following repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. Even though tennis elbow can show up in tennis players, it can also impact plumbers, painters, and even piano players. A few common symptoms of tennis elbow include:

• Pain that gets worse when you shake hands
• Pain that gets worse when you turn a doorknob
• Pain that gets worse when you hold a cup in your hand
• Pain that gets worse when you have to exert a strong grip on something

Fortunately, a chiropractor can help you develop a comprehensive treatment plan for lateral epicondylitis too.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help with Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis?

A chiropractor can help you recover from medial and lateral epicondylitis without exposing yourself to complications and side effects. First, a chiropractor will figure out what type of elbow injury you have sustained. Then, a chiropractor can use adjustments to properly align the bones, ligaments, and tendons in your elbow. By placing the structures in your elbow in the correct location, your elbow will have the foundation it needs to heal properly. That way, you can undergo physical therapy, massage therapy, and a variety of other treatment options that can help you make a full recovery. You might even be able to recover from this elbow injury without having to take prescription medications or undergo surgery.

Seek the Professional Care of an Experienced Chiropractor

If you are dealing with elbow pain, including medial or lateral epicondylitis, you understand that this can create a serious quality of life problem. You might even think that you need prescription medications or surgery. Fortunately, this is not always the case. Before undergoing an operation, meet with a chiropractor and make sure you understand all the options you have available. A trained chiropractor may be able to help you make a full recovery from a serious elbow injury without undergoing a surgical procedure. That way, you can address the root cause of the issue without exposing yourself to potential complications or side effects.

In closing, if you or a loved one is suffering from elbow pain give us a call. Our chiropractor is specifically trained to help people just like you overcome these health problems. So don’t delay. Give us a call today. We’re here to help!

If you are looking for a great way to lose weight and stay in shape, then you have probably thought about running. On the other hand, running can also place a lot of stress on the body. You may have aches and pains from time to time, which you may dismiss as a routine soreness. But just realize that there are more severe injuries that could require more attention. Let’s take a look at six of the most common and how chiropractic can help treat them.

1. Achilles Tendonitis

One of the first injuries runners may suffer is called Achilles tendonitis. This refers to inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the lower leg to the heel. Achilles tendonitis can make it very hard to run because it might be difficult to push off of your foot without pain. If you are dealing with Achilles tendonitis, you need to take time off from running to give your Achilles tendon time to heal.

2. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common injuries that runners may suffer. This refers to inflammation of the plantar fasciitis, which is located on the bottom of the foot. This injury is especially painful when you wake up in the morning. Furthermore, if you have been sitting for a long time, the pain may get worse. Even though you may not feel any pain when you start running, running is only going to make this injury worse. You need to take time off if you would like this injury to heal.

3. Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee refers to pain that is located beneath or around the kneecap. Usually, this pain gets worse if you try to go up and down the stairs. If you try to squat, the pain might get worse as well. Flat feet, incorrect running shoes, and poor running form can make this injury worse. Anti-inflammatory medications, ice, and stretching can help this injury get better.

4. Shin Splints

Shin splints are a classic running injury. As the name suggests, this refers to pain in the shin. Usually, it starts immediately after you run; however, the pain can become persistent. In order to deal with shin splints, you need to rest, apply ice, and reduce mileage.

5. Stress Fractures

Finally, stress fractures can be severe. They refer to tiny cracks that take place in your leg bones as a result of overuse. Even though stress fractures are not the same as acute fractures, they can get worse if you do not deal with them appropriately. You need to rest your legs if you have stress fractures in them.

6. Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome

This is a unique injury that is characterized by pain that takes place on the outside of the knee. You may also experience pain on the outside of your hip or lower leg. If you run on surfaces with frequent elevation changes, this injury can get worse. Furthermore, if you tried to increase mileage too quickly, or run in bad running shoes, this injury can get worse.

A Chiropractor Can Help you Address These Common Injuries

These are just a few of the many injuries that runners may suffer. Even though you might believe you need to take prescription medications or undergo a surgical procedure, this is not always the case. Instead, you should reach out to a trained chiropractor who can review other treatment options with you. This could include adjustments, physical therapy, massage therapy, and other customized treatment plants that can help you address the root cause of your injury. The goal is to not only help you get better but prevent these injuries from coming back.

So if you or a loved one are suffering from any of these conditions, give us a call. Our chiropractor is trained to help get you out of pain and back into life. So don’t delay. Give us a call today. We’re here to help!

Are you worried that you may have flat feet? Are you concerned about the discomfort you are feeling in your arches? If so, you need to learn more about the arches in your feet. You might have questions about what arches are supposed to do. On the other hand, those who have flat feet know just how important their arches can be. The arches actually play a role in stabilizing the spine so let’s take a closer look at the purpose of the arches in your feet.

What Do the Arches Do?

The purpose of the arches in your feet is to help your body maintain balance. In addition, arches also help you spring forward with each and every step. The arches in your feet are essential, which is why you need to take care of them appropriately. For example, you need to have shoes that provide support to your arches. With the right support, your arches will be able to distribute the shock from your feet to the rest of the body, protecting your ankles, knees, hips, and spine from harm. In addition, the arches play an important role in keeping your spine stabilized as well.

The Relationship Between the Arches and Your Spine

Your arches are critically important in helping you keep your spine stable. When you walk or run, you absorb a certain amount of shock with every step you take. If you run, the entirety of the shock is passing into one foot. Then, it is the job of your arches to dissipate this shock safely, protecting the rest of your body.

What happens if your arches are not shaped correctly? What happens if they are not doing their job? This shock can be felt by your spine. Without arches that are working properly, this shock will pass up through your back, harming your vertebrae, nerves, and blood vessels. Furthermore, if the spine is exposed to this shock repeatedly, it is possible for the vertebrae in the spine to get knocked out of alignment, leading to serious health issues. People who do not have good arches in their feet could actually end up with serious back pain.

A Chiropractor Can Address Issues Related to the Spine and Feet

When someone is suffering from bad arches or back pain, they may think they need surgery. They might think they need to take prescription medication. Fortunately, this is not always the case. A chiropractor can help someone address issues related to the spine and arches without surgery or prescription medications.

Even for people who have flat feet, a chiropractor can perform adjustments on the ankles, knees, hips, and back, addressing pain related to the arches and back. Of course, a chiropractor can also perform adjustments on the spine as well. With proper arches, it is possible to treat back pain in a comprehensive, holistic manner. Not everyone has to engage in treatment methods that could lead to complications and side effects.

Understand the Relationship Between the Arches and Your Spine

In the end, there is an intimate relationship between the arches in the feet and the spine. With proper arches, it is possible for everyone to handle the shock of walking and running without knocking the vertebrae out of alignment. On the other hand, when someone has flat feet or reduced arches, this can lead to back pain. If you or a loved one is suffering from back pain or complication from low arches reach out to our Doctor of Chiropractic to learn more about their treatment options. We’re here to help!

Among the various reasons why people seek out the care of a healthcare professional, neck pain is at the top of the list. Based on the information that has been published by the International Association for the Study of Pain, as many as half of all people in the world will suffer neck pain at some point this year. Furthermore, as many as 15 percent of people could end up with chronic neck pain at some point during their lives. In many situations, neck pain originates from the cervical spine. Understanding the anatomy of the cervical spine will help individuals understand why chiropractors do what they do, how certain exercises can lead to pain relief, and how they can better manage neck pain.

An Overview of the Cervical Spine

First, it is important to understand the structure of the cervical spine. There are seven separate vertebrae that make up the cervical spine. They are numbered C1 through C7. The job of these vertebrae is to protect the spinal cord. They also provide flexibility, support, and range of motion to the neck and upper back.

The cervical spine is located at the top of the spinal column. C1 sits just beneath the skull. The cervical spine is on top of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions of the spine. Of note, C1 and C2 are unique vertebrae. They are called the atlas and axis (respectively) because of the way they are shaped. C1 is shaped like a ring. C2 has a point that connects through the ring of C1, called the atlantoaxial joint. This joint is responsible for providing the skull’s range of motion.

As we proceed down the cervical spine, there are small openings through which nerves, blood vessels, and tendons project. These nerves power motor and sensory functions throughout the body.

Where Does Neck Pain Come From?

There are numerous reasons why someone may be suffering from neck pain. A lot of them relate to the structure and function of the cervical spine. Some of the most common causes of cervical neck pain include:

• Many people suffer whiplash in a motor vehicle accident, leading to a cervical ligament sprain
• Degenerative disc disease can also impact the cervical spine, leading to neck pain
• There could be a pinched nerve as it leaves the spine, leading to shooting, shock-like pains
• Some people may suffer from spinal stenosis of the cervical neck
• Other individuals develop neck pain due to poor posture at work or while sleeping
• Osteoarthritis can also impact the cervical spine
• Fibromyalgia can also lead to cervical neck pain

These are just a few of the many reasons why someone may suffer from cervical neck pain. Anyone with neck pain should rely on the help of a trained chiropractor.

Trust the Help of a Trained Chiropractor

A chiropractor will use cervical adjustments to help people who suffer from neck pain. This manual therapy involves short, rapid thrusts that focus on a single joint in the cervical spine. By properly aligning the cervical vertebrae, it is possible to alleviate the root cause of neck pain. That way, people not only get better but stay better as well.

Usually, the chiropractor will focus on one area of the cervical spine at a time. In addition, the chiropractor may also use cold therapy, heat therapy, massage therapy, or corrective exercises to strengthen the neck, stretch the ligaments, and provide a comprehensive approach to the treatment of neck pain. Finally, a chiropractor may also help people make lifestyle adjustments that help them manage their neck pain and discomfort. Knowledge of cervical anatomy is foundational to the treatment of neck pain. So if you or a loved one is suffering from neck pain, give us a call. We’re here to help!