Back Clinic Neck Treatment Team. Dr. Alex Jimenezs collection of neck pain articles contain a selection of medical conditions and/or injuries regarding symptoms surrounding the cervical spine. The neck is made up of various complex structures; bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other types of tissues. When these structures are damaged or injured as a result of improper posture, osteoarthritis, or even whiplash, among other complications, the pain and discomfort an individual experiences can be impairing. Through chiropractic care, Dr. Jimenez explains how the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations focuses on the cervical spine can greatly help relieve the painful symptoms associated with neck issues. For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900 or text to call Dr. Jimenez personally at (915) 540-8444.
Remember how your mom always said, “Nothing in life is free”? Well, she was right. High-tech gadgets and smart phones advancing at the speed of light are a modern convenience unlike little else, but the advantages of communication at our fingertips come with a price: text neck.
Here are 5 things chiropractic patients ought to know about text neck, the epidemic that is taking the world by storm:
1. Text neck is caused by poor posture.
Specifically, habitually looking down at a phone or laptop puts extra pounds of unwanted pressure on the cervical spine, causing wear and tear and even degeneration over time. Additionally, in the space between the neck and shoulder is a cluster of nerves. If these nerves are compressed, misaligned, or damaged, the pain is excruciating and difficult to treat.
In short: Text neck puts the head, neck, and spine at risk.
2. Text neck is increasingly common among young people.
Spending as little as two to four hours a day hunched over a smart phone is enough to make a serious impact on the body over time. And though two to four hours may not seem like a long time, it isn’t hard to arrive at two hours by adding several 15-minute or half-hour segments together.
For teenagers, specifically, two to four hours on a smart phone is not unfathomable. Some teens likely spend twice that much time in a given afternoon or the space between classes or over lunch. Consider the impact of 1500+ hours of bad posture in a year. It is no surprise that teenagers are at risk.
The lasting impact of text neck on today’s young people could be costly.
3. Text neck in combination with a sedentary lifestyle is a recipe for disaster.
With hours of looking down at a smart phone often come hours of relaxing on the couch or sitting still. Generally speaking, we aren’t prone to be active when we are engaged in surfing the Internet or texting our friends.
Though the list of ailments for poor posture is long and discouraging, it is made worse by sluggishness or inactivity. The best thing to do is to put the phone down on occasion, stretch, exercise, and return to the technology only once in a while.
The benefits of technology do not outweigh the consequences of inactivity.
4. Text neck can be corrected.
Practicing good posture is the easiest place to start. Making an appointment with a chiropractor is a good move for anyone who is facing the painful side effects of hours spent looking down.
Taking small steps toward better posture can save money and pain in the long run. Choosing to engage in technology as a treat instead of around the clock is a good practice for anyone who wants to live a long and healthy life.
5. Text neck can be avoided.
To be clear: No one is asking anyone to stop using cell phones. Text neck can be avoided without going 1980 on cell phone usage. But avoiding extra pressure on the neck and spine does require forethought and follow-through.
In today’s ever-increasing technological age, choosing to dodge smart phone usage doesn’t happen accidentally. One good strategy is to look with the eyes instead of moving the neck. Another strategy is to ask friends and family to say something when they notice prolonged periods of poor posture.
In short, text neck is nothing to LOL about. Take it seriously and make any necessary changes before text neck gets the best of you. Let us know how we can help by giving us a call today.
This article is copyrighted by Blogging Chiros LLC for its Doctor of Chiropractic members and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Blogging Chiros, LLC.
If you have pain in any part of your body, it can range from uncomfortable to downright debilitating. In the case of your neck, any degree of irritation can impede your ability to function. Because of this, it is important that you learn about how chiropractic relieves neck pain so that you can find the assistance you need.
When you first visit a chiropractor, you should take along medical records that relate to your neck pain. This includes any medical history that outlines the description and symptoms of your condition by another physician. For instance, whether the pains are sharp or dull, throbbing or steady can provide valuable information to your chiropractor.
You should also make sure to get a copy of your latest x-rays. If you do not have any, that is okay because most chiropractors will either perform them on-site or refer you to a radiology clinic off-site.
Depending on the chiropractor�s approach, a typical first visit includes an initial consultation, examination and x-rays. If the chiropractor has time, he or she may go over the results of the aforementioned the same day.
However, many chiropractors prefer to study and review your case before determining if they can or cannot help you. So, even though you�re in pain, be patient for the chiropractor�s full recommendations which may not be available until the following day.
With that said, most chiropractors won�t leave you hanging. They�re compassionate to your pain. In other words, they�ll administer some form of pain relief the same day as your initial visit until a complete diagnosis is available.
During this initial waiting period, your local chiropractor may administer the following pain relief methods for neck pain:
Ice
Light soft tissue work using a topical analgesic like BioFreeze�
Interferential therapy, electrical stimulation and/or other physical therapy modalities
Heat (if the condition isn�t acute)
Additionally, your local chiropractor may make pain relief recommendations that you can use back home to help reduce your neck pain until your next visit. These typically include the proper use of ice as well as the administration of a topical analgesic like BioFreeze�.
During your subsequent visit, a detailed treatment plan will be presented to you if your chiropractor believes he or she can help correct the problem. If so, be consistent with the treatment plan your diagnosis warrants so that your neck pain is not only relieved but potentially corrected.
Remember, your local chiropractor is not only concerned about relieving your neck pain but even more concerned about finding and fixing the cause of the problem. Misalignments of the spine (aka vertebral subluxations) don�t just happen over night (unless there is some form of blunt force that caused it). So correcting these subluxations through multiple chiropractic adjustments may take time, even when the pain disappears.
Regardless, when people are experiencing neck pain, it can diminish their quality of life. It becomes difficult to perform regular tasks such as driving. Visiting a chiropractor and allowing them to treat the area is a smart choice. These professionals have undergone extensive training in their field and are capable of treating neck pain effectively. So if you or a loved one are experiencing neck pain, give us a call. We�re here to help!
This article is copyrighted by Blogging Chiros LLC for its Doctor of Chiropractic members and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Blogging Chiros, LLC.
The manipulation of the cervical spine or neck is a common technique utilized by doctors of chiropractic for individuals complaining of upper back, neck, and shoulder/arm pain, in addition to headaches.
What is the benefit of cervical spinal manipulation?
Similar to the treatment for many injuries and/or conditions which affect the thoracic and lumbar spine, or back, chiropractic treatment is thought of as a first line of therapy for a range of cervical spine conditions.
Chiropractic treatment aiming for cervical spine pain management include (but aren’t limited to) a mix of:
Reducing pain
Improving movement
Restoring function into the head and neck region
Patients must be advised that the treatment will start after a complete patient history, physical examination, review of past, family histories, and review of systems are completed. Tests might include X-ray, CT, MRI, EMG/NCV, urine analysis and lab blood, referral to a professional, more, depending on each individual case demonstration.
Different Types of Chiropractic Manipulation
There are two general manipulation approaches for spine ailments:
Cervical spinal manipulation – frequently thought of as the conventional chiropractic adjustment, or even a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique
Cervical spinal mobilization – which can be a more gentle/less forceful modification, or even a low-velocity, low-amplitude (LVLA) technique moving the joint through a tolerable range of movement.
The combination of the many approaches varies from patient to patient depending on the healthcare professional’s preferred tactics and tastes, the patient’s comfort and tastes, and the patient’s response to the treatment, in addition to both previous experience and observations made during the course of therapy.
Chiropractors may also use therapy to treat other cervical spine complaints. Adjunctive therapies may include therapeutic heat program, massage exercises, and more. Chiropractic manipulation can handle numerous causes of neck pain. It’s not a cure for every single type of neck problem. Two causes of pain which originate in the neck and may be treated by manipulation comprise of mechanical neck pain and disc problems.
Mechanical Neck Pain
Mechanical neck pain comprises of pain associated with the tendons, joint capsules, ligaments and/or the fascia. This type of issue is a frequent cause of neck pain and stiffness.� Facet joint issues are a well-known case of mechanical neck pain. The facets are located in the back of the neck. If a facet joint is hurt or sprained, pain may be localized or may radiate along other upper extremities. The pain pattern depends upon the specific level and is unique.
Cervical Disc Issues
Tears may develop in the cervical disc and/or the inside of the disc (the nucleus) may herniate through the outer area (the annulus) and trap or pinch the nerve root as it leaves the spine.
Cervical nerve root irritation can frequently refer pain down the arm and into the hand, typically affecting particular areas like the 4th and 5th digits, the palms side thumb to 3rd fingers and/or the back of the hands on the thumb, index finger side of the hand, depending on which nerve root is irritated.
On rare occasions, if the nucleus of the disc herniates straight backward, it can compress the spinal cord and create symptoms in the legs and also impact the function of the bowels and/or bladder. On such occasions, the patient needs to be referred to a spine surgeon to get prompt care.
These are two examples of types of cervical spine conditions which may be treated with spinal manipulation. The patient needs to receive a whole exam prior to receiving any kind of manipulation.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Did you know people send an average of 250 million texts daily? Along with the convenience that technology provides, also comes the need to avoid or minimize injuries. This is particularly true of young people, who are still growing.
With the ever increasing daily use of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and handheld games, chiropractors are seeing an increase in corresponding Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI’s), known by names like text neck and Blackberry thumb. RSIs are injuries of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that are often caused by repetitive activities, forceful exertions, vibrations, mechanical compression (pressing against hard surfaces), or sustained awkward positions.
What Is Text Neck?
Text neck shows itself as curved shoulders, head hanging forward and down and is caused by poor posture from being�hunched over a mobile device for a long time. This prolonged poor posture is often related to chronic headaches, shoulder, neck pain and can have long term impact.
For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head�on the backbone by an additional 10 pounds.
Physiology Of Joints & Technology
Young men and women are especially at risk as they are heavy users of advancing technology i.e. smartphones and handheld gaming devices.
Text neck and neck strain can cause postural abnormalities and change the growth pattern, especially in the spine.
Technology isn’t going anywhere, so how can we help our children minimize the risks? The trick is to stress the importance of posture and how to attain it, since text neck is a postural abnormality.
Chiropractic And Strong Posture
Recommendations To Avoid Text Neck
There are several things parents and young people can incorporate into their daily activities to alleviate the symptoms of text neck, related RSIs and fortify their posture:
Sit up straight with chest out and shoulders back.
Bring your arms up to eye level so you don’t have to look down to see the screen.
If you must look down, tuck your chin into your neck instead of hanging your head forward.
If you use your mobile device for extensive typing, consider investing in an external keyboard.
Rest your forearms on a pillow while typing to minimize neck tension.
Avoid using mobile devices in bright sunlight. Straining to see the screen often leads forward chin movement which, strain the head muscles.
Try For A Balanced Lifestyle
The best way to minimize the risk of RSIs related to mobile devices is to balance the use of these devices and all around techology.
Balance is critical. Encourage your child to take breaks from devices that are mobile and get regular physical activity to offset the effects of leaning over a smartphone, tablet or computer.
“You want to neutralize the stress,” says Doctor of chiropractic Brian Gushaty. “Strenuous physical activity for the upper body, such as racquet sports, can provide a good counterbalance for the strain caused by poor posture.”
Another key element is to introduce your child to a regular stretching program:
Hand stretches and squeezing a stress ball can help fingers.
Pull shoulder blades down and back to help alleviate neck and shoulder strain.
Stretch the chest by standing up straight with arms down at your side. Turn forearms until thumbs are pointing at the wall behind you.
Posture strengthening programs, like Straighten Up Alberta, is a fun, fast and effortless method to incorporate stretching into your daily routine.
If you are worried your child is suffering from a repetitive strain injury like text neck, speak to a health care provider. A chiropractor is trained to treat RSI’s in all age groups and can provide advice on achieving a balanced healthy lifestyle for your whole family.
Should you be worried about that nagging neck pain that’s been bothering you for the previous couple of days? If you wait until it goes away or do you call a doctor and/or chiropractor?
It Could Be A Muscle Strain
Did you lift something heavy recently? Or maybe you slept wrong on your neck last night? If that’s the case, your neck muscles may have been hyperextended (you stretched them past normal range), which may be causing stiffness. Muscle strains on your neck usually are not severe, but that isn’t always true. Watch your symptoms over the next few days.�If they get worse, call your doctor or chiropractor.
It Could Be Whiplash
Whiplash can cause acute neck pain, which means your pain and soreness lasts a few days or weeks. It usually goes away by itself. If you notice that your pain is getting worse or develop other symptoms, i.e. weakness, numbness, and tingling, call your doctor right away.If you have been in an auto accident, it’s important to get checked out. Sometimes ligaments can stretch and lead to spine problems.
It Could Be Poor Posture
If you’re sitting hunched over a desk all day, tight neck muscles may be causing your neck pain. Chronically tense muscles never get a break, so work with a chiropractor, physical therapist or personal trainer who will teach you easy neck exercises in addition to how to keep good posture. Also, take frequent stretch breaks throughout the afternoon, and elevate your monitor so you don’t need to hunch over it.
It Could Be A Herniated Or Bulging Disc
For those who have neck pain that does not go away even with rest, it might be a herniated or bulging disc. This usually means an intervertebral disc in your cervical spine (neck) may be pressing on a nerve, which could be causing pain. Or it may lead to pain down your arm and into your hand. Let your physician or chiropractor know if you experience these symptoms.
When To Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor immediately if your neck pain becomes worse and you develop other symptoms, including tingling, weakness, dizziness, or loss of bowel or bladder control. It’s far better to be safe when it comes to your neck health. The bottom line is that you never really know whether that neck pain is severe or not, so don’t be afraid to talk about your health.
Question: My car was rear-ended. Since then, my neck hurts, feels rigid, and I have upper back pain. My wife says it’s whiplash and that I should see a physician. Is there anything that I can do to accelerate my recovery? Should I see my physician and/or chiropractor? How long will my pain last?
El Paso, TX
Answer: Your symptoms are typical of a whiplash injury caused by a vehicle accident. Whiplash is cervical spine strain caused when the head and neck are thrust quickly forward and backward. To fully grasp how whiplash can lead to neck pain, you want to recognize the head, which weighs 8-13 pounds and is supported and moved by the neck. Because of this, it’s easy to understand how soft neck muscles and ligaments are stretched during a whiplash accident!
The seriousness of whiplash is dependent on the force of the impact, the way you were seated in your vehicle, and if you were properly restrained with a shoulder and seat belt. By way of instance, if your head was turned, your neck injury may be more painful.
Whiplash Home Treatment Tips
1. Even though your neck injury occurred last week, you may try ice and heat. Ice will help to reduce swollen overstretched muscles and ligaments. Heat increases circulation and eases tight stiff muscles.
Ice: Apply an ice pack for 15 minutes as often as once each hour.
Heat: Apply warmth (moist is greatest!) For 15 minutes every 2 or 3 hours.
Skin Safety:
Never sleep with a ice or heat pack!
Wrap heat or ice in a towel to protect your skin.
Discard punctured store-bought ice or heat products.
2. If your doctor agrees, try an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.
3. Move your neck softly to assist in preventing additional stiffness.
4. Should you work in a computer or desk, take regular breaks to relax your neck muscles.
5. Avoid cradling the phone between your shoulder and head.
6. Avoid carrying heavy packages, especially things such as a pocket book or backpack slung over only one shoulder.
Check With Your Doctor & Chiropractor
Neck pain is common either immediately after or several days following a whiplash injury. Other symptoms can develop too. Fortunately, most symptoms go away in two to four weeks. If your symptoms worsen, or you develop headache, dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, arm or hand numbness, check-in with your physician or chiropractor. If necessary, you’ll be referred to a spine specialist.
Your physician or chiropractor will carry out a physical and neurological examination, and acquire a neck X-ray. After they produce a diagnosis, treatment is coordinated for your recovery! Treatment may include prescription pain medication, anti inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, a cervical collar, massage and physical therapy.
Other�Symptoms Associated With Whiplash Or Neck Strain:
Headache
Dizziness
Ringing in your ears
Blurred vision
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Hoarse voice
Upper back, shoulder, and/ or arm pain
Back pain
Abnormal sensations such as numbness, burning or prickling
Fatigue and sleep problems
Keep in Mind
Most individuals with whiplash improve quickly within a matter of weeks. When you have concerns, we recommend you to speak to a doctor or chiropractor.
Fractures in the cervical spine may occur with severe or repetitive trauma. Clay shoveler’s fracture is an avulsion fracture of the spinous process. It happens with abrupt flexion of the head, most commonly from a variety of accidents. It also occurs with stress caused by the pulling of the muscles around the thoracic and cervical spinous processes. The process breaks up and pulls on the avulsion segment from the original spinous procedure.
Clay shoveler’s fracture most frequently results in the lower cervical and upper thoracic spinous processes, namely C6, C7, and T1. Fractures and spinal avulsion can also be brought on by damage or injury as in direct blows to the neck’s base. This is a fracture that is stable and doesn’t produce any neurologic deficits. This part of the bone isn’t near nerve roots or the spinal cord, although patient’s are alarmed when they hear the term fracture or fracture in the neck.
Clay shovelers fracture derives its name from a common event among clay miners in Australia during the 1930s. The workers were digging deep ditches and tossing clay 10-15 feet above their heads with long handled shovels. Instead of having the clay come off the shovel, it would stick. The sticking clay produces a contraction of the trapezius and rhomboid muscles in reaction from the weighted shovel. The muscles react forcefully and immediately, contracting to stabilize the spine and shoulders. The Australian clay shoveler’s will hear a pop and feel a sharp contrast between the shoulder blades. They would feel sharp pain, making them unable to continue working because every time the trapezius or rhomboid muscles could contract. The mechanism of injury is believed to be caused by powerful and abrupt muscle contraction transmitting pressure via the ligaments. The enormous force is concentrated round the spinous processes and creates an avulsion fracture over the cervical and upper thoracic spine’s spinous processes.
Plain Film X-rays and Examination
Regarding lateral (side view) x-rays, a triangular radiolucent fracture line can be seen via the base of the spinous procedure. It is more likely to maintain the distal or trunk tip of the lower cervical and upper thoracic spinous procedure. Rough margins or serrated edges are commonly seen with the acute fractures, which differentiates it from this secondary expansion center of the process.The distal part of the fractured spinous process is frequently displaced down (caudally or inferior). This is due to the pull on the segment of bone.
Frontal x-rays (anterior to posterior) may demonstrate the look of two spinous processes at a single vertebrae, which can be called the “double spinous process sign.” Especially when the cervicothoracic junction is visualized on the view this signal is helpful for determining a clay shoveler’s fracture. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) is not typically required. A bone density scan could be indicated in a person who has undergone prior avulsion, thoracic, or lumbar spinal compression fractures. A bone density scan can evaluate and measure lumbar and cervical spine t-scores; which gauges relative risk of spinal compression fractures if bone density is in question.
Symptoms of Clay Shoveler’s Fracture
Clay shoveler’s fracture can occur with almost any repetitive and forceful activity utilizing the trapezius and rhomboid muscles. It might occur with automobile accident injuries for traumatic blows to both sides and top of the spinous procedure. Generally, pain is associated immediately after the injury and can be described as a burning or “knife-like” traumatic pain. Other symptoms include muscular stiffness and pain which increases with repeated action, similar to muscle strain at the top back joints or muscle strains. The broken spine is very tender, as are the muscles.
Treatment of Cervical Spine Avulsion Fractures
Most cases resolve in a few weeks. Pain or aggravation to the area could be associated with the tendon and muscle junctions that insert on the spinous process or avulsion segment. Some patients do not require treatment apart from remainder or NSAIDS (non steroidal anti medication). Others may benefit from pain medicine or muscle relaxers.
Medications could be applied at the neck and upper back into the muscles to ease soreness and possible rhomboid muscle strains. Bones and ribs shouldn’t be influenced or produce back pain. Some individuals require physical therapy or massage therapy, including chiropractic care, to help decrease muscle pain and stiffness. Ice, heat ultrasound, mild stretching, and range of motion exercises can help relieve neck and upper back pain. Some individuals respond to course IV cold laser treatments (low level laser treatment) to help reduce pain and inflammation in the muscles and tendons. Others might benefit from muscle treatments like Active Release Technique or Graston Technique to break up scar tissue or adhesions associated with years of repetitive activities. Patients may expect some discomfort for several weeks during the healing process.
Symptoms may worsen at the the front of the body with arms and the head, such as driving or working in the computer. With time and some therapy, symptoms will decline with time. Exercise and strenuous activity might need to be avoided for 1-2 months post injury. For patient’s having a history of stress fractures or avulsion fractures, a bone density scan could be indicated. Some kinds of fractures need immediate attention and could be unstable. Fractures must be assessed to make sure they are stable and tracked by an orthopedic surgeon.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Automobile Accident Injuries
Whiplash, among other automobile accident injuries, are frequently reported by victims of an auto collision, regardless of the severity and grade of the accident. The sheer force of an impact can cause damage or injury to the cervical spine, as well as to the rest of the spine. Whiplash is generally the result of an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head and neck in any direction. Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to treat automobile accident injuries.
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For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head�on the backbone by an additional 10 pounds.
It Could Be Poor Posture
