I have a question for you to think about. Did you know headaches can result from a symptom, problem and or inflammation in the nerves of your neck? It’s something a lot of people just don’t think about or worry about in the scheme of things.
The cervical spine, (or your neck) – is made up of seven bones (called vertebrae) – and unfortunately these bones in your neck rank high among the most forgotten about and under-appreciated vital parts of your body.
One of the most significant aspects of your neck is its function as a joint, connecting your skull to your spine. This joint allows for a wide range of movements, such as rotation, flexion, and extension, making it crucial for tasks as simple as nodding or turning your head.
Look at it this way if you could: the cervical spine (your neck) faithfully holds up your heavy head which weighs about 12 pounds, and this is going on for about 14 to 16 hours a day. This is hardly easy. First of all, the head is far from evenly balanced on top of our spine. In fact, it’s tilted heavily forward; without the cervical muscles, it would topple over onto our chest.
Secondly, the head’s weight can become unbearable over time. (If you’d like to get a clearer picture, try this experiment: hold a bowling ball with your elbow on a table for as long as you can. Few people can keep this up longer than an hour.)
That means your neck (cervical spine) is and always will be a vital part of nearly all your everyday activities, including talking, gesturing, sitting, standing, lying down, breathing and a whole lot more. Most of what your heavy head does, it does thanks to your neck. So how do you help protect your neck from injury and hurting? Great question. After years in practice we’ve found that’s why so many of the injuries to people’s necks are so serious – and some often result in that patient or person having paralysis or experiencing death.
For example, hitting your head on the bottom of the pool or tackling another football player in a sports-oriented game can compress a man’s cervical spine (neck) against his shoulders and that one injury can cause him a grave injury. Bad headaches often involve the neck so it’s something you need to be aware of not only for you, but your entire family. And that’s why you’ll be glad to know we recognize your neck’s uniqueness – even from the rest of your spine – and caring for it accordingly.
If you haven’t had an examination in the last 3 months, schedule that with the front desk today.
Just waiting for your pain, stiffness or stiffness isn’t a good way to handle the problem. The longer you wait, the longer it takes to get the relief you are looking for long term.