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Newsletter
September 2006 Newsletter
Neck Pain
Do you suffer from neck pain? If so, you are not alone. Millions of
people live with the frustration and annoyance of neck pain. The good news
is that you don't have to live with the pain. Chiropractic is one of the
most effective ways to not only relieve the neck pain you have today, but
to prevent that pain from returning in the future. Keep reading for more
details!
What Causes Neck Pain?
There are a number of things that can cause neck pain. Watching TV,
poor posture at work, sitting in front of a computer all day, falling asleep
in a chair, or even using the wrong pillow at night can cause neck pain.
Other factors that influence neck pain include stress, trauma, chemical
toxins, and negative thoughts. Sometimes the pain is temporary and
resolves on its own very quickly. When it doesn't this could indicate a
more serious, underlying problem. Many times, if left untreated people
can experience headaches and migraines stemming from neck pain! Dr. Matt
can evaluate your entire spine using the most up-to-date procedures to see
if there is a misalignment of your spine (what we call a subluxation) that
is causing you pain.
Why Should I See A Chiropractor?
The cervical spine (neck) is designed to support the additional 10 to 12
pounds of pressure our heads put on the neck and shoulders. The seven bones
that make up the cervical spine allow our heads to rotate, bend from side
to side, and look up and down. No other area of the spine allows this much
range of motion. This combination of additional pressure and range of
motion is what makes the neck more susceptible to injury than other areas
of the spine.
The cervical spine plays a vital role in the function of your nervous
system because it houses the spinal cord exiting from your brain.
Your brain is the "mainframe" of the nervous system sending and receiving
signals from all parts of your body. The spinal cord is the "information
superhighway" connecting the brain and the rest of the body. If a
misalignment of the neck bones is putting additional stress on the spinal
cord, you can see how information can be lost or confused. This lost
or confused information in the nerve impulses can have effects on your
entire body, such as your digestive system, immune system and your
respiratory system. Many people are surprised to find out that once
they undergo chiropractic care they notice an improvement with other
areas such as asthma, bowel function and blood circulation.
What Will Dr. Matt Do To Help My Neck Pain?
After your consultation and brief orthopedic examination, Dr. Matt will
locate the areas that are "locked" or subluxated. A chiropractic adjustment
will help remove the subluxations and therefore better enable your body to
work more efficiently. Many times the muscles around your spine are tight
and tense from trying to overcompensate for the misaligned bones. Dr. Matt
can work with the muscles that support your spine by using therapies such
as ultrasound and electostimulation. These therapies often times help
patients to heal faster because the relaxed muscles are able to hold the
adjustment longer. Our goal is to help you regain your health faster and
more naturally than traditional medicine. Feel free to talk to Dr. Matt if
you have any questions on how chiropractic can help you or your loved ones.
Source: Patient Media, 2003. Neck Pain--What Patients Want to Know About Neck Pain.
Kid's Corner: Why would kids have neck pain?
Parents are used to taking their kids to the pediatrician and the
dentist for regular check-ups, but why would a parent need to bring their
child to a chiropractor? Chiropractors are just for adults with back pain,
right? What about the thousands of children every year who suffer severe
neck injury simply by being born? The birth process is such an exciting and
emotional time that we often ignore what the doctor had to do to assist
bringing that beautiful new child into the world. Standard obstetric
management includes grasping the infants* head during birth, usually
accompanied by some degree of pulling and rotation. This excessive
traction and rotation can move the tiny cervical vertebrae out of their
natural position. If not corrected, these misalignments can create future
health problems such as neck pain, headaches, vestibular problems,
auditory troubles, visual disturbances, and pharyngolaryngeal disorders.
The good news is chiropractic care can help return those bones to their
proper alignment, preventing these problems before they ever start.
There is no "popping" or "cracking" when an infant gets adjusted. The
pressure required to adjust an infant is no more than you would be
comfortable pressing against your eye. It is very gentle and it is very
effective. Children respond to chiropractic care better than anyone.
Their bodies adapt much more quickly than an adults. For more
information, go to www.icpa4kids.com. As always, Dr. Matt is happy
to discuss any questions with you personally.
Does Your Neck Hurt When You Wake Up?
Maybe it is your pillow! Many people sleep every night on a pillow
that does not support their neck properly. The pillow can be too thick
causing the head and neck to flex too far forward, or not thick enough
causing the head to extend too far backward. How do you know what kind
of pillow would support your neck the best? Dr. Matt can help you decide
which type of pillow is best suited for you individually. Our office
sells many different types of pillows (air, water, cervical foam, etc)
that offer the proper support. As a courtesy to our patients, we allow
you to "borrow" a pillow that you are interested in buying. This way you
get to try out the pillow and see if it is right for you, before
purchasing it. We want you to be happy with your purchase, because we
know having the right pillow can make all the difference! Ask Dr.
Matt for details!
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