Chiropractic Newsletter

Neck pain, also called cervicalgia, is any discomfort in or around the spine beneath the head. Neck pain is a common symptom used for detecting several injuries and medical conditions. Furthermore, it can affect your daily activities and quality of life if not treated.

Symptoms of Neck Pain

The symptoms of neck pain usually differ in range and severity. Some pain can be acute, some can be chronic, while some can be mild. It can also last from a couple of days to weeks.

Common symptoms of neck pain include:

• Reduction in the neck's range of motion as it feels like your neck is stiff or stuck.

• You feel pain when moving, twisting your neck side to side or up and down.

• You may feel sharp pain in an area around your neck.

• You can experience numbness or weakness in your arms or hands if the neck pain involves the compression of a nerve.

• You may experience pain in your neck when it is touched.

• Neck pain can lead to headache.

• You may feel dizzy when turning your head or looking up.

Causes Of Neck Pain

Some of the things that can cause neck pain include:

• Sleeping in an awkward position.

• Too much stress

• Involvement in an accident.

• A sprain in the neck.

• Jerking of the neck during exercise.

• Flaring up of cervical spondylosis due to old age.

• Neck pain can occur as a symptom of heart attack. However, it will be accompanied by other symptoms like sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, arm or jaw pain, etc.

• Due to health issues like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, tumors, cancer of the spine etc.

Tips For Easing Neck Pain

Here are some tips that you can use to relieve neck pain.

• Avoid staying in one position for long.

• Try to place your computer monitor at eye level to help ensure you can see easily.

• Avoid using to many pillows under your head when sleeping.

• Try to get a good night’s sleep.

• Know your limit when carrying something to avoid hurting your neck and back.

Treatment Of Neck Pain

You can follow the tips above to help ease minor neck pain. However, you may need to consult with your healthcare professional such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturist, and osteopaths for physical treatments and other therapies that could help if you have a more complex or continuing neck issues. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The carpal tunnel is a small passageway located on the anterior part of the wrist. It is the entrance for numerous tendons and the median nerve to the palm.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition that can lead to numbness, pain and tingling in the hand and forearm.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can easily get worse over time and if left untreated for long, it can cause permanent dysfunction of the hand. Therefore, carpal tunnel syndrome must be diagnosed and treated promptly.

Causes Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Generally, there are no specific causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually linked to certain movements with large forces, including hammering, vibration, extreme wrist motions, etc.

However, some of the following things can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Joint or bone diseases like arthritis

• Frequent, small movements with the hands like typing

• Hormonal or metabolic changes like pregnancy, menopause, etc.

• Frequent, grasping movements with the hands like certain physical activities or doing specific sports

• Changes in blood sugar levels.

• Injuries to the wrist like dislocation, sprain, swelling, inflammation, etc.

• Hereditary

• Old Age

• Taking too much alcohol

• Health issues like diabetes, and tumors in the carpal tunnel

High-Risk Groups for Developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

People who perform activities involving repetitive finger use are at risk of developing the syndrome. However, it is generally not common for people below the age of 20.

When To See A Doctor?

If you notice the abovementioned symptoms and suspect carpal tunnel syndrome, make sure to visit your podiatric physician soon. This is especially so if your daily activities and sleep patterns are affected. Delaying treatment could result in permanent damage.

The treatment of carpal tunnel will depend on your age, overall health, how you can tolerate specific therapies or medications. 

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