Neck pain can occur as a result of injury (whiplash from a motor vehicle or sporting accident), with prolonged positions (sitting at a computer, reading, etc.) or, as it often does, may come on without warning. The cervical spine (neck) is comprised of a very complicated and intricate combination of joints, muscles, nerves and ligaments that controls the movement and sensations in our head, shoulders and upper extremities. In addition it is the area that provides some of the most valuable feedback to our brain via specialized receptors which allow us to send and receive messages to make slight alterations in movement to correct and prevent injury by stabilizing the body. The purpose of this system is to protect and encase our spinal cord, a vital piece of the central nervous system, and one which the body cannot function properly without. It is the basis of an extensive network that channels nerve impulses from our brain to virtually every cell in our body.
Pain in our neck/spine is experienced when there is a lack of joint motion between the vertebrae, combined with changes in muscle tone and nerve and blood vessel supply. This leads to inflammation in the area, which activates and over-stimulates particular nerve fibers (type-C) and their endings, called nociceptors, whose sole purpose is to detect pain. The combination of joint restrictions, muscle tone changes, and nerve and blood vessel signaling changes cause a reduction in feedback to our brain from the environment and body, which drives the pain pattern.
By improving motion in the joints and muscles, we are able to inhibit the type-C nerve fibers and the over-activation of nociceptors that are sending our brain messages of pain. This is known as the Pain-Gate Theory, and is widely accepted as the cause of pain. It simply states that proper motion in joints, ligaments and muscles activate 1A nerve fibers that send our brain messages of motion, and at the same time, they send inhibitory messages to the pain fibers, which reduces their firing and decreases the sensation of pain. In summary, when your spine moves well, pain is inhibited and you no longer feel it.
Through careful examination by Maine’s Chiropractic Neurology team, we are able to determine the cause(s) of your presenting symptoms. We then create a treatment plan to restore normal joint motion, retrain muscles by reducing tension and improving strength and stability, restore posture and reduce inflammation. This is accomplished through a comprehensive treatment consisting of chiropractic care, physical rehabilitation and neurological retraining.
Common symptoms:
