Do you find it hard to get comfortable at night because of the ache in your neck or do you suffer from headaches? Many people suffer from chronic neck pain, tightness and frequent headaches. Some people may try to mask the symptoms with popping Advil or Tylenol. Since the root cause of the problem is not addressed, weakness in the neck and shoulder muscles increase, which can lead to chronic headaches and even migraines.
The neck is very complicated in its structure and is primarily made up of seven independently moving bones called vertebrae. The ability to rotate your head comes from the upper part of the neck. This is a very important part of your body since it is where the thickest part of the spinal cord goes through to the brain. It is also an important area that determines how your body balances.
Main Causes of Neck Pain
Neck pain can start for a number of reasons including: poor posture with sitting, car accidents, stress, injuries or even falls. Since the neck is where blood vessels link through to your head, pain and tightness can cause spasms of the arteries around the nerves of the neck and head.
People with neck problems can often experience pain, such as tingling or numbness, into the arms, hands and even fingers. This is because the nerves coming out of your neck supply blood to your arms and hands. If you are experiencing pain, it is important that you see one of our licensed physical therapists. There is a lot that you can do to help your neck pain and headaches. The key is preventing the neck pain from starting in the first place.
In today’s society we sit a lot in slouched positions, which is not good for the neck, upper back and shoulders. Our jobs, driving in the car, picking up heavy objects and repetitive straining can hurt the neck over a period of time. Having our experts examine your neck movement, strength and function can pinpoint the root cause of your neck pain or headaches, treat it and teach you how to prevent it from returning. Call us today on 504.733.0254 to learn more how we can relieve that pain in your neck!