Neck Pain
The neck is often susceptible to injury due to the connection between the head and thoracic spine. The three structures involved are the head, a relaxed weight-bearing cervical spine, and a stiffer thoracic spine. The thoracic spine is attached to the shoulder girdle and ribcage, making it less flexible. Injury can happen when force or stress meets a weight-bearing structure like the neck and back. Everyday activities such as extended sitting, standing, repetitive motion, slips, trips and spills can lead to both immediate and long-term neck and back injuries. Everyday wear and tear as well as aging also play a part in causing discomfort.
Neck pain is often associated with a condition called postural stress. Postural stress results in muscular tension and inflammation in the neck and upper back. There are many occupations that can lead to postural stress especially jobs that include long hours of standing or sitting. Poor spinal mechanics, weak or overdeveloped muscles, poorly designed work spaces and chairs, even depression, can all be factors in postural stress. Postural stress can lead to chronic neck pain with symptoms extending into the upper back, shoulders and arms. If these neck problems go untreated they can induce chronic muscular tightness, which in turn leads to nerve entrapment resulting in problems in the arms including pain and numbness.
When a neck is injured in an auto accident, it causes strained muscles, spinal joint injuries and sprained ligaments. Untreated, long term, often debilitating, headaches called “cervicogenic” headaches can occur.
