Neck Pain & Stiffness
A stiff, painful neck is a common problem, but one that puzzles most
people as to what caused it. Most people just wake up with it. The
search for the injury that causes it usually reveals no answers, as
it is a "slow injury" that occurs during sleep.
A large study at the Pain Clinic, Princess Alexandria Hospital in
Australia brought several points to light concerning this type of neck
pain. Stiff neck is commonly caused by pinching of facet joints, small
pain-sensitive spinal joints that can trigger pain in the neck, back
of the shoulder, muscle spasm and headache. These researchers found
that 71 percent of the patients evaluated at their clinic proved to
have a pinching facet joint in the neck. Almost all had been previously
evaluated
by medical practitioners who had failed to diagnose the disorder.
In a related study, these researchers found that the simplest and
most effective way to diagnose this disorder is by palpation of the
joints of the neck. This is the procedure used by chiropractors to
detect joint tenderness and movement restriction by feeling the spine
with the hands. As stiff neck from facet syndrome is caused by pinching
of these small joints, chiropractic manipulation is very effective
in freeing the problem, relieving neck pain, muscle spasm
and headache. Exercises are often then used in addition to treatment
to improve neck joint flexibility and to improve muscle tone. This
treatment program is often effective for both acute and chronic stiff
neck.
While the position of the head and neck during sleep can allow these
facet joints to pinch and cause stiff neck, chiropractic treatment
can effectively resolve the pain. Prompt treatment can prevent prolonged
suffering.
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