Presented by Dr. Drew McPhail
Chiropractic Physician

Understanding Your Spine, Part II

"Understand Your Spine, Part I", discussed "Spinal Anatomy". "Understanding Your Spine, Parts II & III" discuss the "Primary Causes of Neck Pain."

The #1 reason for neck discomfort and pain occurs when the vertebrae are out of their proper alignment, resulting in improper motion.

The Primary Causes of Neck Pain

Spinal Misalignment
The longer a vertebra is out of alignment, the further the restraining ligaments stretch, the more arthritis will occur in that joint, and the more difficult it will be to realign the vertebra.

Muscle Weakness
Strong neck muscles are crucial to a healthy neck because strong neck muscles are less likely to incur injuries. When neck muscles are weak, they are not able to hold the head or neck in the correct, upright posture. Neck muscles that have lost strength will allow the neck vertebrae to slip out of alignment. Weaker neck muscles lead to poor posture.

Structural Disorders of the Spine
Prolonged improper posture can misalign or malform entire sections of the spine.

The "widow's hump" or "Dowagers hump" deformity is an example. The upper and mid back become hunched as a result of a head-forward posture. When the head is carried forward of the spine, the weight of the head pushing forward and down forces the upper and mid back to become rounded. The lower back then sags forward in an attempt to maintain balance.

Scoliosis is another structural deformity of the spine. This occurs when the curves of the spine are exaggerated to the side, backward or forward, or a combination of these. This condition predominantly affects adolescent or teenage children, and it affects females eight times as often as males. When structural disorder such as scoliosis occurs, it produces excessive strain on certain areas of the spine, misaligning them. The resulting changes in weight bearing can lead to excessive strain on the hips, eventually causing arthritis and degeneration of the hip joints.

Vibration
The discs of your spine are very susceptible to the effects of micro- traumas (mini-shocks). Excessive riding in a vehicle, some types of dancing, jogging, horseback riding, riding dirt bikes, water skiing, and riding in boats all produce vibrations that can injure your spinal discs and lead to arthritis. Excessive vibration to a weakened spine can actually shake spinal vertebrae out of alignment, producing pain.

To help prevent vibrational injuries, drink adequate amounts of water throughout the day.

Drafts of Air
Drafts of air continually hitting your neck can cause your neck muscles to tighten and become spastic, which may pull your vertebrae out of place.

Mental Stress
Mental stress can create neck pain. If you are angry, your muscles may tense without your realizing it. The longer the tension lasts, the more likely your muscles will harden into painful knots.

Neck pain is something that should be taken seriously. Even minimal pain means that something is wrong. If it is not fixed, it will likely get worse.

Excerpt from "Neck Pain, You Don't Want It, You Don't Need it", a publication edited by Peter G. Fernandez, DC, to which Dr. McPhail is a contributing author. These books can be purchased at Dr. McPhail's Chiropractic Office at 215 East 5th North Street (Hwy 78). For more information about back and neck pain relief, please visit www.drmcphail.com or call Dr. McPhail at 873-2225