Other causes of neck pain 2

Other causes of neck pain, including: traumatic
injuries, degenerative conditions, tumors, infections and disc involvement.

• Degenerative diseases in the neck are usually due to aging
and the natural progression of the spine. Repetitive trauma can account for acceleration of these injuries. Patients often complain of neck pain, numbness and tingling down into the arms and hands, and a “cracking” or “popping” sound in their neck.

Your head and neck region is vulnerable to many different stresses. Bad posture can cause misalignment of your neck, head, and spine. Car accidents can cause whiplash. Age and wear and tear can cause arthritis. Even activities such as gum chewing and reading in bed can cause pain. How do we avoid these potential problems? And if we can't avoid them, how can we recover as quickly as possible?
In this article you will learn about:
• The basic anatomy of the neck region;
• Common reasons for neck pain and headaches;
• Ways to reduce stress and the risk of injury;
• Exercises to do at home; and
• How a physical therapist can help.

Whatever the nature of your problem, physical therapy by a licensed physical therapist can often help you recover function quickly and teach you new habits to minimize the risk of further pain or injury.

Anatomy Of The Neck Region

One of the most flexible regions of the spine is the neck (cervical) region, which consists of vertebrae, seven shock-absorbing discs, muscles, and vertebral ligaments to hold them in place. The uppermost cervical disc connects the top of the spinal column to the base of the skull. The spinal cord, which sends nerve impulses to every part of the body, runs through a canal in the the cervical vertebrae and continues all the way down the spine. The cervical nerves spread down into the arms; because of this, arm pain is sometimes traceable to a problem in the neck.

One of the most common causes of neck pain, and sometimes headaches, is poor posture. It's easy to get into bad posture habits without even realizing it-even an activity as "innocent" as reading in bed can ultimately lead to pain, headaches, and more serious problems.

The basic rule is simple: keep your neck in a "neutral" position whenever possible. In other words, don't bend or hunch your neck forward for long periods. Also, try not to sit in one position for a long time. If you must sit for an extended period, make sure your posture is good: Keep your head in a neutral position, make sure your back is supported, keep your knees slightly lower than your hips, and rest your arms if possible.

Reading in bed can cause neck strain- especially if you're propped up on several pillows, bending your neck forward, and trying to hold your arms out in order to support the book. If you do read in bed, make it easy on your neck: Consider purchasing one of the products specifically designed for this purpose, such as a wedge pillow to prop up the book or a portable "mini desk." Finally, remember not to stay in any single position too long- our bodies are designed to move.



Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Common types of headache include tension, vascular, muscular, or neurogenic 1

Common types of headache include tension, vascular, muscular, or neurogenic.


• Headaches can originate from the nerves, soft tissue, and joints in the cervical spine.

• Certain types of headaches will arise from the upper neck at the base of the skull, and
radiate from the occiput (rear) to the front of the head or temple(s).

• Trigger points in certain areas of the neck can cause headaches.
Trigger points are “knotty” areas or bands in muscle tissue, and can commonly be seen in “Myofascial Pain Syndrome.”

• Cervical facet- joint -mediated headaches are common after whiplash injuries. In this type of headache, a nerve surrounding the inflamed joint in the neck can cause severe pain. These types of headaches usually respond to physical therapy, traction, stretching, anti-inflammatory medications & muscle relaxants. Facet joints can also be injected when therapies have not helped. Typically a low dose of anesthetic and cortisone is injected into the joint(s) under fluoroscopy (x-ray). When followed by a well-designed physical therapy regimen, these injections can give excellent long-term
relief of neck pain and headache.


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones