Neck Conditions
Whiplash
Whiplash is an all-too-common consequence of the more than one hundred thousand rear-end collisions that take place in Canada every year. Whiplash is a severe injury to the vertebrae, muscles, or ligaments of the neck caused by a sudden forward and backward jerking of the head and neck. It is the most common injury following car accidents, usually happening in rear-end collisions but is also common with contact sports such as hockey, football, and boxing.
When a sudden accident or injury throws your neck backward and forward, your neck gets thrown out of balance. The force can damage parts of your neck and reverse its natural curve. Whiplash injuries may be complicated by fractures or dislocations.
It is estimated that most whiplash injuries are not felt for several hours, days, and in some cases even months or years following the accident. Therefore, even if you are not in pain following a whiplash incident, it is important to receive prompt attention to your injury, as the structural balance of your neck and spine is important to your health. Symptoms include neck stiffness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, neck, shoulder, jaw and/or arm pain as well as low back and hip pain. A multi-disciplinary approach from different health professionals such as chiropractic, massage therapy, and physiotherapy allows effective relief of pain and other debilitating symptoms of whiplash by restoring your full range of motion, realigning your spine, and increasing the strength and flexibility of your neck muscles. If you experience the symptoms of a whiplash injury in a rear-end car accident – even at 5 mph – seek treatment immediately, no matter how minimal the pain. Don’t wait for the symptoms to go away: By avoiding treatment, you will only prolong your recovery and lower your quality of life.
If you or a loved one is suffering from whiplash, make an appointment with us and let us help you get better.
Neck Pain
Between 10-15% of people suffer from neck pain, which is most commonly seen in middle-aged individuals and women. Chiropractors often provide a form of manual therapy called “mobilization,” in addition to cervical adjustments, intended to increase neck flexibility and reduce pain.
In addition, physiotherapy will include active care such as postural control exercises, relaxation training to reduce muscle tension, and cervical muscle endurance/coordination training.
The fundamental objective of manual therapy is restoration of normal joint motion. This goal was attained in the study, with a “relatively large” increase in neck range of motion. If you are suffering from neck pain, we can treat your symptoms with chiropractic adjustments, massage and physical therapeutic neck exercises to address not just the pain, but also range of motion and strength.
A thorough examination including orthopedic and neurologic testing and X-rays, if necessary, will help to determine your exact diagnosis and individualized treatment plan. Manipulation (adjustment) of the spinal and extremity joints is very effective in restoring normal function to the joints, as well as to the surrounding muscles and nerves. This usually leads to a decrease in pain and faster recovery. Part of your treatment may also include some combination of the following: acupuncture, cold laser therapy, physiotherapy, massage, nutrition, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, and ice or heat therapy.
If your condition is unresponsive to conservative treatment, an appropriate referral will be made promptly. More invasive therapies should only be considered if conservative therapy fails.
If you suffer from neck pain and don’t know where to turn to, it’s about time you did something about it. For more information on neck pain and the various treatment options available to you, call us for a comprehensive evaluation to find out how we can help.
Osteoarthritis
Older people, whose joints have been worn by much use over time, are subject to osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease or DJD). When this form of arthritis hits your back and neck, you feel it as neck pain that gets worse over time. The pain may radiate into your shoulders and arms, and you may feel numbness or tingling in hands and fingers. Arthritis can also involve symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and even a grating/grinding feeling when you move your head. There are many different types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment will depend on an accurate diagnosis which may involve X-rays and/or blood studies.
Whether you choose to use natural medicine exclusively, or in conjunction with conventional medicine, we will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan in order to best treat your particular type of arthritis.
Joint and soft tissue manipulation is often very helpful in relieving the aches and pains of most forms of arthritis. Other treatment options may include ultrasound or electrical muscle stimulation, cold laser therapy, acupuncture, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises, massage therapy and myofascial release techniques. These procedures, combined with nutritional and herbal medicine, and/or homeopathy constitute a comprehensive, holistic approach.
Neck Pain with Arm Symptoms
Many people turn to us for safe, effective treatment of “pinched nerves.” While a “pinched nerve” usually responds very well to conservative care, it is actually a relatively rare condition. In true cases of pinched nerve, you will feel tingling, numbness, and possibly even weakness due to pressure and inflammation on a nerve from bulging discs or bone spurs along the spine. Pressure on these “pinched nerves” can cause your symptoms to travel away from the spine, along the course of the nerve.
The nerves of the neck travel down the shoulder and extend into the arm, hand, and fingers. This is why so many neck problems cause symptoms to radiate into the arm and hand. More common than nerves being “pinched” by bone spurs or discs, nerves can very often become irritated by stiff and restricted joints and muscles. These nerve irritations can cause pain, and even numbness and tingling as well.
A thorough examination including orthopedic and neurologic testing and X-ray or MRI studies, if necessary, will help to determine your exact diagnosis and individualized treatment plan. Chiropractic manipulation (adjustment) of the spinal and extremity joints is very effective in restoring normal function to the joints, as well as to the surrounding muscles and nerves. This usually leads to a decrease in pain and faster recovery. Part of your treatment may also include some combination of the following: acupuncture, cold laser therapy, therapeutic exercises, homeopathy, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, and ice or heat therapy. Massage therapy and myofascial release techniques may also be used in conjunction with these other therapies in order to get the best results.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of “pinched nerve” described above, we recommend that you schedule an appointment as quickly as possible. In the event that your condition fails to improve with conservative treatment, an appropriate referral would be made promptly. surgery is rarely needed and should only be considered if conservative therapy fails.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome is a compression of the bundle of nerves originating in the neck or the subclavian artery. The compression can be due to a tight muscle in your neck, an extra rib, a misaligned clavicle, or a tight chest muscle resulting from poor posture, or subluxation of the cervical vertebrae. Thoracic outlet syndrome affects the shoulder, arm, hand or all three locations. The hand pain is usually most severe in the fourth and fifth fingers. The pain is aggravated by the use of the arm, and “fatigue” of the arm is often prominent.
Symptoms include hand, arm, shoulder and neck pain; numbness and tingling of the neck arms and hands into the arm or front of the neck; muscle weakness; reflex loss; hot and cold sensations; swelling.
A thorough examination including orthopedic and neurologic testing and X-ray or MRI studies, if necessary, will help to determine your exact diagnosis and individualized treatment plan. Chiropractic manipulation (adjustment) of the spinal and extremity joints is very effective in restoring normal function to the joints, as well as to the surrounding muscles and nerves. This usually leads to a decrease in pain and faster recovery. Part of your treatment may also include some of the following: acupuncture, therapeutic exercises, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, and ice or heat therapy. Massage therapy and myofascial release techniques may also be used in conjunction with these other therapies in order to get the best results.
If your condition is unresponsive to conservative treatment an appropriate referral would be made promptly.