The Neck is Your Life Line

            The nervous system is the master control network for your body, directing virtually every function and action, from monitoring your life needs, to precisely responding to threats to your health. 

            Each system, from your heart and blood vessels, to your digestive and immune systems, is directed through nerve impulses originating in your brain or spinal cord that travel through its protective bony structure: the spinal column. 

            The neck region is the most vulnerable region of the spine to injury. Indeed, even death can be brought through significant trauma to the neck. When the trauma is not fatal, the consequences can still be severe, such as when paralysis strikes. 

            Most people will not experience these severe injuries, however sprains of the delicate ligaments with subluxation (misalignment) do commonly occur. Despite the injury being smaller, their location (the neck) makes their impact more profound. Functions throughout the body can be impaired when the nerves in the upper neck are compromised. 

            Within chiropractic, there are specialists who focus their entire care on the uppermost two vertebrae of the spine. 

            Because every nerve passes through the neck, if irritation or compression is present, virtually any system of the body can be affected. The point being is that a neck disorder will not necessarily just cause neck pain or headache. Dizziness, digestive problems, fatigue, high blood pressure and generally reduced quality of life are some of the symptoms patients commonly experience. 

            If you have suffered a severe whiplash, you may have noticed far more than a stiff neck. Indeed, recent research suggests whiplash needs to more thought of as a whole body disorder. 

            We take these injuries in our office and address them in both a specific and comprehensive manner. Most patients who have suffered a neck trauma will require x-rays to analyze the posture of their spine.  X-rays may also need to be taken in motion to test the stability of your ligaments and to determine precise levels of impaired movements. Without this road map, it is difficult to determine how care should be directed and factors that could influence your long-term prognosis, such as degeneration.

Care Wellness Center's chiropractors have over 25 years experience treating neck injury. They are located in Peppertree Plaza in Margate Florida. Call us to schedule a free consultation at 954-586-8088.

The Chiropractor in Margate Talks About The Neck & Headache Connection

The Neck and Headache Connection

            Patients with headaches also commonly complain of neck pain.  This relationship is the rule, not the exception and therefore, treatment for headaches must include treatment of the neck to achieve optimum results.  The term, “cervicogenic headaches” has been an accepted term because of the intimate connection between the neck and head for many years.  There are many anatomical reasons why neck problems result in headaches.  Some of these include:

·         The first 3 nerves exiting the spine in the upper neck go directly into the head.  They penetrate the muscles at the top of the neck near the attachments to the skull and therefore, any excess pressure on these nerves by the muscles or spinal joints will result in irritation and subsequent pain.

·         The origin or nucleus of the 5^th cranial nerve called the Trigeminal, innervates the sensation to the face and is located in the upper cervical region near the origin of the 2^nd cervical spinal nerve, which innervates sensation to the back of the head up to the top.  Therefore, problems located in the upper neck will often result in pain radiating up from the base of the skull/upper neck over the top of the skull to the eyes and /or face.

·         The 11^th cranial nerve that innervates the upper shoulders and muscles in the front of the neck arises from the top 5 to 7 spinal cord levels in the neck.  Injury anywhere in the neck can result in spasm and pain in these large muscle groups.

·         Other interconnections between the 2^nd cervical nerve and trigeminal/5^th cranial nerve include communication with the 7^th cranial / facial nerve, the 9^th cranial / glossopharyngeal nerve, and the 10^th cranial / vagus nerve.  These connections can affect facial muscle strength/movements, taste, tongue and throat movements, and stomach complaints such as nausea from these three cranial nerve interconnections, respectively.

            When patients seek treatment for their headaches at our Wellness Center in Margate, a thorough examination of the neck, upper back, and cranial nerves is routinely performed for the above reasons.  It is common to find upper cervical movement and vertebral alignment problems present in patients complaining of headaches. Tender points located between the shoulder blades, along the upper shoulders, on the sides of the neck and particularly, at the base of the skull are commonly found.  Pain often radiates from the tender point over the top of the skull when pressure is applied in the upper neck/base of the skull area. Tenderness on the sides of the head, in the temples, over the eyes, and near the jaw joint are also common. Traction or pulling the head to stretch the neck is often quite pain relieving and this is often performed as part of the chiropractic visit and can also be applied at home with the use of a home cervical traction unit. Chiropractic adjustments applied to the fixated or misaligned vertebra in the upper neck often brings very satisfying relief to the headache sufferer.  Exercises that promote movement in the neck, as well as strengthening exercises are also helpful in both reducing headache pain and in preventing occurrences, especially with stress or tension headaches. 

If you're suffering from neck pain and / or headache please give us a call to schedule a free consultation at 954-586-8088. Dr. Abraham Freeman has been a chiropractor in margate for over 25 years. He has the experience to help you get relief so stop hurting today!

What Is This Pain in My Neck! by The Chiropractor in Margate

What Is This Pain in My Neck!

            “When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t move my neck!  Every time I try to move it, I feel sharp pain on the left side of the neck shooting down into the shoulder blade.  It just came out of nowhere!” 

            Chances are, you are suffering from a common condition called torticollis, which literally means, “twisted neck” after the Latin terms of “torti” (twisted) and “collis” (neck).  The common name for this is “wry neck,” and it’s basically a painful muscle spasm, like a “Charlie-horse” but located in the neck muscles.  Usually, a person wakes up in the morning with this type of neck pain and the cause is often related to sleeping with the window being open or a fan or air conditioner blowing on you.  It can also relate to a “cold settling in the muscle” after a cold or flu virus.  Trauma such as falling or a car accident can also cause torticollis. However, most of the time, patients with torticollis are not sure what caused the abrupt onset of symptoms. 

            Usually, torticollis will gradually improve over a 2 week time frame. However, it only takes a few days to a week (at the most) if you receive chiropractic adjustments.  Most importantly, without treatments, the sharp pain can last a week and can severely limit your activity, often prohibiting work as well as your desired “fun” activities.  Hence, most people prefer having this treated as opposed to “waiting it out.” In some cases, it can last longer than a month and in rare cases even longer, so getting this treated is highly recommended.  Also, try to get in for a treatment immediately before the muscle spasm really sets up.  We find this to be the most effective approach.  Here are a list of symptoms and treatment suggestions for torticollis neck pain: 

Acute Torticollis Symptoms

·         Muscle spasms
·         Neck and shoulder pain

·         Neck and spine contortion (neck twisted to right or left side of body) 

Pain Relief Treatments for Acute Torticollis

·         Chiropractic neck and spinal adjustment

·         Acupuncture

·         Heat packs

·         Analgesics

·         Rubs and ointments (Sombra, BioFreeze)

·         Massage with essential oils

·         Reiki

·         Sleep / Relax

·         Supportive cervical collar

If you are looking for a chiropractor in Margate, look no further than Care Wellness Center.  Dr Kirk Witten and Dr Abe Freeman have been treating torticollis neck pain for over 25 years.  Don't stay in pain one minute longer! Get the help you need today to get back on track. Call them today for a free consultation at 954-586-2273.