Neck Pain & Problems

Inside your neck are the neck bones (cervical vertebrae), spinal and cranial nerves, spinal cord, blood vessels, glands (including the thyroid and parathyroids), voice box (larynx), esophagus, trachea, brain stem, and many muscles, ligaments and other structures. With all of that, the neck is still able to gracefully balance your head and turn, tilt and bend without damaging the vital underlying structures.

The Cervical Spine
Cervix is the Latin word for neck, meaning a constricted area. The seven small neck bones are called cervical vertebrae, numbered C-1 to C-7. Inside your cervical vertebrae lies your spinal cord, a continuation of your brain down to your neck and back. Protection of the spinal cord is extremely important - spinal injury can result in paralysis or death. Your vertebrae are connected by discs, ligaments and tendons that help give the neck its shape - the cervical curve. Nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, fat and connective tissues are found in the openings between the vertebrae.

Neck Problems
With all of the neck's complexity, it should come as no surprise that neck problems are common. They may result from a trauma such as whiplash or a fall, or develop slowly as a result of spinal imbalance, Vertebral Subluxations, emotional stress or bad posture. Damaged or irritated nerves in the neck can cause pain in the neck, face, shoulder, arm, wrist, hand and fingers and can reduce the range of motion in the neck. Other neck-related problems include headaches, vision difficulties, dizziness, ringing in the ears, decreased attention span, learning and memory impairments, nasal problems, tongue and throat problems. The most serious neck problems - such as fracture, dislocation or severe tissue damage - can be fatal if not given emergency medical care. Overall, neck problems can impair your overall health and well-being if they are not corrected.

Neck Pain
Pain in the neck can be caused by irritation, inflammation, injury or infection. Pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, hand or head most frequently results from irritation or cervical nerve roots in the region of the intervertebral foramen, encroachment of the vascular supply as it courses through the vertebral canal, or invasion of the cord in the spinal canal.

Disc Herniation and Degeneration
Disc herniation (or rupture) is relatively rare but can be the source of intense pain and sometimes may require surgery for repair. However, in many cases, Dr. Anselmi's chiropractic techniques can re-establish the integrity of the disc and prevent the need for neck surgery.

Disc degeneration is a more common cause of pain, nerve root and spinal cord irritation. Although many people believe that the cause of disc degeneration is age, the most common causes of disc degeneration are actually years of spinal imbalance, Vertebral Subluxations, physical trauma or emotional stress.

Arthritis
Over time, osteoarthritis can lead to changes in the vertebrae, as the body tries to establish defense mechanisms to stabilize an off-balance spine. These changes, which can occur with or without significant pain, can include lipping or spurring (bony growths); disc thinning or degeneration; and deterioration of muscles, ligaments and other structure. Recent research has shown that chiropractic care can reverse some of the effects of osteoarthritis - something that used to be considered impossible.

The Medical Approach
The standard medical approach to neck pain is to prescribe painkillers, muscle relaxants and/or tranquilizers. If the pain does not subside, an orthopedic surgeon may be consulted may attempt to provide pain relief by using cortisone or other injections or even by recommending surgery.

The Chiropractic Approach
Since most medical doctors and physical therapists are not trained to locate and correct Vertebral Subluxations, a neck injury might continue to cause silent damage for decades before the problem is recognized. On the contrary, if you discuss your neck pain with Dr. Anselmi, he will examine you for Vertebral Subluxations and recommend a course of treatment to address the problem right away.