The neck is vital in positioning our head so that we can see, hear and communicate. The neck is also the most flexible part of the spine, having greater range of motion compared to the thoracic spine (mid back) and the lumbar spine (low back). As a result, the neck is more vulnerable to injury, whiplash or trauma as seen in car accidents, contact sports, falls and sometimes even something benign like bumper car rides.
The neck is also affected by poor posture seen especially with more of our time spent sedentary staring at a screen or device. Long periods of poor posture and/or lack of movement and exercise can lead to deconditioning (weakening) of your neck muscles and thus your muscles stiffen in order to protect it from injury. In this time, the 'body map' in your neuroplastic brain to control your head and neck will also change and often shrink as you move it less and less.
In the longer term, when enough deconditioning and stiffness, your neck is prone to micro injuries and later larger injuries that involve the muscles, joints and discs. Aside from pain developing, this can often lead also to joint degeneration.
The neck has many muscles that attach to the head, muscle tension in the neck can also cause headaches. Neck pain can affect how our brains function. Many people who have neck pain or stiffness report having a ‘foggy’ head, that is an inability to think clearly or work efficiently. Why does the neck affect our brain function?
At the very top of our neck, the first 2 vertebrae, the atlas and axis protect not only the nerves, but a part of the brain stem which is in charge of many functions including balance, blood pressure, alertness, vomiting, vision, hearing and so on. When there is enough irritation at the atlas or axis, this can start to cause disruptions in any of the above functions. Thus it is unsurprising that there is a research study showing blood pressure being normalised by chiropractic care (Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study. G Bakris, et al Journal of Human Hypertension (2007) 21, 347–352.). This research study suggests misalignment of the C-1 vertebra by as little as millimetres can affect blood flow at the base of the skull triggering the release of signals that cause arteries to contract and blood pressure to increase. After chiropractic care, the blood pressure in these subjects stabilised to healthy normal readings without medication, even when checked 8 weeks after.
Our nervous system includes our brain, spinal cord and nerves. Think of the brain as the main computer; the spinal cord as the main cable, while the nerves are much like many wires travelling from the main cable to go all over the body. For the body to function optimally, all these structures must be working well simultaneously. One of the main factors negatively affecting nerve function is a spine that is not moving well in places . When a spinal joint does not move well, it will either be more vulnerable to injury and or cause local inflammation thus irritating the nerves at the joint. A dysfunctional joint can also set up changes in movement in the surrounding joints. This can cause uneven stresses to occur in other joints and soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons) thus setting the other areas up for potential longer term problems as well. Other conditions that might irritate these spinal nerves include disc herniation and arthritis – either by causing direct pressure or irritation on the exiting nerves at the spine. And as mentioned before, your 'body map' in your brain will change in time - you are probably familiar with the old adage: Use it or lose it.
An Australian study showed that neck pain is more common in females and in those with high psychological stress (Individual, physical and psychological risk factors for neck pain in Australian office workers: a 1-year longitudinal study Julia M. Hush, et al Eur Spine J. 2009 Oct; 18(10): 1532–1540.). The same study reported that greater mobility may be a factor in avoiding neck pain.
Teens are also more affected by neck pain in today’s society. A report from ABC concluded that 1 in 20 teens suffer from neck and shoulder pain, most likely due to increased sitting and poor sitting postures. (http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/07/03/2291046.htm)
Chiropractic adjustments help restore healthy neck movement. At Soul Chiropractic, Dr Fiona Kim will always use the gentlest forms of adjusting as a default to introduce healthy movement into the neck. The posture will also be evaluated to see if changes are necessary. Certain exercises and stretches may also be recommended.
If you or your loved ones have neck pain or stiffness and/or headaches, book online or contact Soul Chiropractic on 0415300341 or [email protected].
The neck is also affected by poor posture seen especially with more of our time spent sedentary staring at a screen or device. Long periods of poor posture and/or lack of movement and exercise can lead to deconditioning (weakening) of your neck muscles and thus your muscles stiffen in order to protect it from injury. In this time, the 'body map' in your neuroplastic brain to control your head and neck will also change and often shrink as you move it less and less.
In the longer term, when enough deconditioning and stiffness, your neck is prone to micro injuries and later larger injuries that involve the muscles, joints and discs. Aside from pain developing, this can often lead also to joint degeneration.
The neck has many muscles that attach to the head, muscle tension in the neck can also cause headaches. Neck pain can affect how our brains function. Many people who have neck pain or stiffness report having a ‘foggy’ head, that is an inability to think clearly or work efficiently. Why does the neck affect our brain function?
At the very top of our neck, the first 2 vertebrae, the atlas and axis protect not only the nerves, but a part of the brain stem which is in charge of many functions including balance, blood pressure, alertness, vomiting, vision, hearing and so on. When there is enough irritation at the atlas or axis, this can start to cause disruptions in any of the above functions. Thus it is unsurprising that there is a research study showing blood pressure being normalised by chiropractic care (Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study. G Bakris, et al Journal of Human Hypertension (2007) 21, 347–352.). This research study suggests misalignment of the C-1 vertebra by as little as millimetres can affect blood flow at the base of the skull triggering the release of signals that cause arteries to contract and blood pressure to increase. After chiropractic care, the blood pressure in these subjects stabilised to healthy normal readings without medication, even when checked 8 weeks after.
Our nervous system includes our brain, spinal cord and nerves. Think of the brain as the main computer; the spinal cord as the main cable, while the nerves are much like many wires travelling from the main cable to go all over the body. For the body to function optimally, all these structures must be working well simultaneously. One of the main factors negatively affecting nerve function is a spine that is not moving well in places . When a spinal joint does not move well, it will either be more vulnerable to injury and or cause local inflammation thus irritating the nerves at the joint. A dysfunctional joint can also set up changes in movement in the surrounding joints. This can cause uneven stresses to occur in other joints and soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons) thus setting the other areas up for potential longer term problems as well. Other conditions that might irritate these spinal nerves include disc herniation and arthritis – either by causing direct pressure or irritation on the exiting nerves at the spine. And as mentioned before, your 'body map' in your brain will change in time - you are probably familiar with the old adage: Use it or lose it.
An Australian study showed that neck pain is more common in females and in those with high psychological stress (Individual, physical and psychological risk factors for neck pain in Australian office workers: a 1-year longitudinal study Julia M. Hush, et al Eur Spine J. 2009 Oct; 18(10): 1532–1540.). The same study reported that greater mobility may be a factor in avoiding neck pain.
Teens are also more affected by neck pain in today’s society. A report from ABC concluded that 1 in 20 teens suffer from neck and shoulder pain, most likely due to increased sitting and poor sitting postures. (http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/07/03/2291046.htm)
Chiropractic adjustments help restore healthy neck movement. At Soul Chiropractic, Dr Fiona Kim will always use the gentlest forms of adjusting as a default to introduce healthy movement into the neck. The posture will also be evaluated to see if changes are necessary. Certain exercises and stretches may also be recommended.
If you or your loved ones have neck pain or stiffness and/or headaches, book online or contact Soul Chiropractic on 0415300341 or [email protected].