If you have a neck, and I believe we all do, at some point in your life you are going to have neck pain. The neck is a complex series of joints that provide protection to the spinal cord and all the spinal nerves, while at the same time affording us an incredible amount of mobility we need to survive and thrive.

What is truly incredible is when you realize the neck must be strong enough to protect the very delicate nerve tissue of the spinal cord yet it must afford us the movement necessary to be able to turn our head 1800 degrees, and look up and down. With all that movement the neck must be strong enough to support the 10 pound head atop it even during these extreme movements.

The neural pathway from the brain to the rest of the body and back to the brain is contained and protected within the structure formed by the seven cervical vertebrae of the neck. An injury to this structure can be fatal.

Many neck problems, while not life-threatening, can damage your health if not corrected. A fall or a car accident may cause sudden damage to the neck, or damage may occur slowly through vertebral subluxation, spinal imbalance, physical or emotional stress or poor posture

Many everyday habits or activities can contribute to neck pain. Sleeping in an awkward position, slumping over a desk, overwork, squeezing a telephone between the ear and shoulder, or straining to see over a steering wheel ail may cause muscle fatigue or strains.

When the discs separating and cushioning the cervical vertebrae are herniated or even ruptured, usually due to trauma, intense pain will follow. In some cases, surgery may be needed.

Poor sleep posture

exposed neck to the cold

Poor posture

work related

slips

sneezing

Some natural disc degeneration occurs as we age. However, evidence of disc degeneration even in very young children suggests that stresses such as spinal imbalance, spinal subluxations, injury or emotional trauma cause undue wear and tear on our necks.

Don't let your neck pain and stiffness go untreated. Chiropractic doctors find the source of your neck pain and fix it.