What causes neck pain? After a car accident or sports injury, ligaments and muscle tissue becomes inflamed, resulting in swelling and soreness that typically takes anywhere from six to ten weeks to heal. However, when neck pain lasts longer it’s an indication that a facet joint or disc has been injured as well. In cases involving spinal cord injuries, a bone spur or a herniated disc may compress the nerves in the spinal cord. While either one of these can cause arm pain, in some cases neck pain may result as well. For these reasons, it’s important to see a doctor who can properly diagnosis the underlying cause of your neck pain before it develops into something more serious or permanent.
Facet Joint Pain and Neck Injuries
Facet joints connect the bones of the spine and have nerve roots passing through them that run from the spinal to the arms, legs, and other parts of the body. Cartilage allows for easy movement where facet joints meet other bones while the synovium and lubricating fluid increase overall agility. If the facet joints are injured due to injury or arthritis, you may experience headaches or stiffness in the neck.
Disc Injuries and Neck Pain
A disc allows for motion in the neck. The outer wall of a disc is called the annulus fibrosus which consists of layers of fibrocartilage that help distribute pressure evenly throughout a disc. Inside the disc is the nucleus pulposus, consisting of a kind of gel that plays an important role in absorbing impact energy from movement of the body.
In car accidents link to InjuriesCarAccidents page involving whiplash, the annulus fibrosus can be torn and may or may not heal. If it doesn’t heal, the nucleus pulposus may be compromised and the neck cannot properly absorb pressure, resulting in pain from the nerve endings in the annulus fibrosus.
Whiplash, Posture and Neck Pain
A large number of people who suffer from neck pain are victims of whiplash from an auto accident or sports injury. However, symptoms associated with whiplash don’t always manifest as neck pain. For instance, headaches, arm pain and a feeling of arm heaviness or weakness, lower back pain, even cognitive impairment can be the result of whiplash. For this reason, an accurate diagnosis is essential to begin the process of properly treating a whiplash injury, no manner when you were first injured.
Equally important is the role posture plays in neck pain. People who sit for hours at a desk may develop neck pain due to muscle strain or misalignment in their vertebrae as a result of poor posture. Taking steps to ensure a more serious underlying problem isn’t responsible for your neck pain is important for identifying an effective treatment of your neck pain.
Contact Dallas / Fort Worth Metro Area Chiropractors at Accident & Injury Chiropractic
If you are in need of chiropractic treatment in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, call Accident & Injury Chiropractic at 1-877-380-PAIN or email us to schedule an appointment at a chiropractic center location nearest you.
For your convenience, Accident & Injury Chiropractic offers weekend appointments and free transportation service.
