Back pain is pervasive among American adults, but a new and disturbing
trend is emerging. Young children are suffering from back pain much earlier
than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing
factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). In fact,
according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the use of book
bags or back carriers resulted in over 6,500 injuries in 2000 alone.
Over the past 10 years, the chiropractic profession is noticing a marked
increase in the number of young children who are complaining about back,
neck and shoulder pain. This new back pain trend among youngsters isn't
surprising when you consider the disproportionate amounts of weight they
carry in their backpacks— often slung over just one shoulder. A 2002
study conducted in Italy found that the average child carries a backpack
that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man,
or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman. Of those children carrying heavy
backpacks to school, 60 percent had experienced back pain as a result.
Other studies have shown that slinging a backpack over one shoulder could
exacerbate the curvature of the spine in scoliosis patients.
According to the ACA, preliminary results of studies being conducted show
that the longer a child wears a backpack, the longer it takes for a curvature
or deformity of the spine to correct itself. The question that needs to
be addressed next is, Does it ever return to normal?
The results of these types of studies are especially important as more
and more school districts— many of them in urban areas— remove
lockers from the premises, forcing students to carry their books with them
all day long.
What Can You Do?
- Make sure your child's backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of
his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend
forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather
than on the shoulders, by the straps.
- The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline.
A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders,
causing your child to lean forward when walking.
- A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents
most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away
from the area that will rest on your child's back.
- Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack,
the more your child will carry— and the heavier the backpack will
be.
- Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around
by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side,
leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.
- Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable,
and can dig into your child's shoulders.
- The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted
to your child's body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack
to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.
- If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child's teacher. Ask
if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home
only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.
What We Can Do for You...
If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from
backpack use, call your doctor of chiropractic. Doctors of chiropractic
are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages and
will use a gentler type of treatment for children. In addition, doctors
of chiropractic can also prescribe exercises designed to help children
develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition, posture
and sleeping habits.
Although doctors of chiropractic (DCs) care for more than just back pain,
many patients visit DCs looking for relief from this pervasive condition.
Thirty-one million Americans have low back pain at any given time (1).
One half of all working Americans admit to having back symptoms each year
(2). One third of all Americans over age 18 had a back problem in the past
five years severe enough for them to seek professional help (3). And the
cost of this care is estimated to be a staggering $50 Billion yearly— and
that's just for the more easily identified costs! (4).
These are just some of the astounding facts about Americans and their
miserable backs! Is there any wonder why some experts estimate that as many
as 80% of all of us will experience a back problem at some time in our lives?
(5).
Because back problems are this common it's probably going to happen to
you too! Shouldn't you find out what to do about it before it happens rather
than after? Why wait until you're hurting to learn about your treatment options?
When you're hurting you may not give this important decision the time
and attention it needs to make the best choice. Here are the facts about
manipulation as a treatment for back problems:
Manipulation is one of several established forms of treatment used for
back problems. Used primarily by Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) for the last
century, manipulation has been largely ignored by most others in the health
care community until recently. Now, with today's growing emphasis on treatment
and cost effectiveness, manipulation is receiving much more widespread attention.
In fact, after an extensive study of all currently available care for low
back problems, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research— a federal
government research organization— recommended that low back pain suffers
choose the most conservative care first. And it recommended spinal manipulation
as the ONLY safe and effective, DRUGLESS form of initial professional treatment
for acute low back problems in adults! (6). Chiropractic manipulation, also
frequently called the chiropractic adjustment, is the form of manipulation
that has been most extensively used by Americans for the last one hundred
years. (7). Satisfied chiropractic patients already know that DCs are uniquely
trained and experienced in diagnosing back problems and are the doctors most
skilled in using manipulation for the treatment of back pain and related
disorders (8). As a public service, the American Chiropractic Association
(ACA) urges you to make an informed choice about your back care. To learn
more about the federal government's recommendations.
References:
1. Jensen M, Brant-Zawadzki M, Obuchowski N, et al. Magnetic Resonance
Imaging of the Lumbar Spine in People Without Back Pain. N Engl J Med 1994;
331: 69-116.
2. Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms,
Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98.
3. Finding from a national study conducted for the American Chiropractic
Association. Risher P. Americans' Perception of Practitioners and Treatments
for Back Problems. Louis Harris and Associates, Inc. New York: August, 1994.
4. This total represents only the more readily identifiable costs for
medical care, workers compensation payments and time lost from work. It does
not include costs associated with lost personal income due to acquired physical
limitation resulting from a back problem and lost employer productivity due
to employee medical absence. In Project Briefs: Back Pain Patient Outcomes
Assessment Team (BOAT). In MEDTEP Update, Vol. 1 Issue 1, Agency for Health
Care Policy and Research, Rockville, MD, Summer 1994.
5. In Vallfors B, previously cited.
6. Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults.
Clinical Practice Guideline No. 14. AHCPR Publication No. 95-0642. Rockville,
MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, December, 1994.
7. The RAND Corporation reported from its analysis of spinal manipulation
research literature that 94% of all spinal manipulation is performed by chiropractors,
4% by osteopaths, and the remainder by medical doctors.
8. In Risher P, previously cited.
As millions of kids get ready to go back to school, many will pull out
old backpacks or purchase new ones. While the books, homework assignments,
lunches, and other school gear those bags carry may be important for success
in school, some experts point to backpack use as the leading cause of a
growing trend in back pain among youngsters. In fact, a recent study conducted
in Italy found that nearly 60 percent of children carrying heavy backpacks
experienced back pain as a result.
Some states, such as California and New Jersey, have taken legislative
action to reduce the weight of students’ backpacks in their school
districts. However, even for residents of those states, government regulation
may not be enough. Whether you are looking out for your child’s welfare
or you use a backpack yourself, here are some steps recommended by the
American Chiropractic Association to lighten the load.
Tips for purchasing a new pack:
- Be selective. Look for ergonomically designed packs,
such as the Samsonite Chiropak, that distribute weight evenly along the
shoulders and spine. Ask your chiropractor for suggestions, and have
him or her look at the fit of a pack you have purchased.
- Go small. The smaller the pack, the less likely your
child is to overload it with books and other materials. Look for packs
that feature special compartments for different types of items— such
as pencils, calculators, books, or folders.
- Select wide, padded straps. Backpacks that are designed
with broader straps and ample padding are much more comfortable— and
healthier.
How to use a backpack wisely:
- Lighten up. Aim for a backpack weight of no more than
10 percent of your child’s body weight. That means if your child
weighs 85 pounds, her pack shouldn’t exceed 8.5 pounds. If your
child is required to carry weight above that 10 percent, talk to your
child’s teacher about ways to reduce the load.
- Position correctly. A properly adjusted backpack will
create less stress on the back. Make sure the pack doesn’t hang
too low (four inches or more below the waist) which can strain the back.
- Two is better than one. Educate your child about the
importance of wearing both shoulder straps, which will distribute weight
more evenly.
If you or your child experience tingling or numbness in the hands, or
discomfort in the back or neck after wearing a backpack, discontinue use
and seek the advice of your doctor of chiropractic.
Many people believe they have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The majority have been told by their medical doctor that they have CTS. Others have mistakenly concluded that because they have some numbness and tingling in their wrist or hand, they must have this neurological disorder. Still others have ongoing forearm, wrist, or hand pain (possibly localized to the thumb and/or index finger), and are led by articles they've read on the Internet to diagnose themselves with CTS. Almost all of this is in error.1,2
Why are so many diagnoses of this condition mistaken? The primary culprit is lazy clinical decision-making, compounded by a failure to understand correctly the workings of the musculoskeletal system. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a specific diagnosis which involves mechanical pressure on the median nerve as it passes through a small tunnel in the wrist created by tiny adjoining bones. There's not much room in this carpal tunnel and its dimensions can be narrowed further by inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Pregnancy can lead to CTS owing to increased fluid retention. Repetitive stress may lead to inflammation of tendons that cross the wrist. Such inflammation may lead to soft tissue swelling which compresses the carpal tunnel, causing CTS. Various other disorders should also be considered when CTS is suspected.
Importantly, CTS is not a catchall diagnosis to be used when a person has forearm, wrist, and/or hand pain. If a person really has CTS, he or she will have specific symptoms. The person will awaken at night owing to pain and/or numbness and tingling. Symptoms will be precisely located to the thumb and index finger (possibly involving the middle finger). Wrist pain may or may not be present. Also, the person will demonstrate a weakness of pinch grip involving the thumb and index finger. If these signs and symptoms are not present, the person does not have carpal tunnel syndrome. Usually, the diagnosis is clearcut and does not require special tests such as electromyography.
Remarkably, most physicians, regardless of specialty, are unaware of these important criteria. If the patient has pain and/or numbness in the hand, the patient has CTS. Case closed. This lack of sophistication leads to real harm done to the patient, such as unnecessary tests which waste time, cost a lot of money, and may result in damaging surgery which is not curative as it was directed at a problem that really wasn't there.
In marked contrast, chiropractors are highly trained in accurate analysis of musculoskeletal problems involving the shoulder, arm, and hand.3 When patients have symptoms mimicking those of carpal tunnel syndrome, chiropractors use their broad knowledge and experience to correctly evaluate the situation. For example, spinal dysfunction, muscle spasm, and trigger points can all cause symptoms which appear to be those of CTS. Chiropractors are able to see through this masquerade and effectively address the real underlying problems.
1Ibrahim I, et al: Carpal tunnel syndrome. Review of the recent literature. Open Orthop J 6:69-75, 2012
2Uchiyama S, et al: Current concepts of carpal tunnel syndrome: pathophysiology, treatment, and evaluation. J Orthop Sci 15(1):1-13, 2010
3Bialosky JE, et al: Heightened pain sensitivity in individuals with signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and the relationship to clinical outcomes following a manual therapy intervention. Man Ther 16(6):602-608, 2011
Here's an all-too-common situation. You develop low back pain that lasts for more than a few days and you're uncomfortable enough to go see your primary care physician. He or she tells you it's not clear what's going on and sends you for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of your lumbar spine. The study comes back showing one or two herniated intervertebral discs. [Intervertebral discs are cartilaginous shock absorbers interspaced between pairs of spinal vertebras.] Your doctor informs you that you have "herniated discs in your back" and prescribes medications and a course of physical therapy. Your doctor may even refer you to an orthopedic surgeon to evaluate the need for surgery on your back.
Now, all of these recommendations may be necessary. Or none of them may be necessary and all that's needed is some rest and an exercise rehabilitation program that you could do on your own if you were given the proper instructions. The culprit here is how the presence of the herniated disc or discs is interpreted. It's important to remember that not all herniated discs are a problem requiring a solution. In fact, a sizable proportion of such disc herniations (30% or more)1 represent the progression of natural processes and are not a problem at all.2,3 But many family doctors and even specialists are not appropriately trained in accurate differentiation among the various possibilities. When faced with MRI evidence of a herniated disc, such doctors see it as a disorder or disease that needs to be treated and fixed. Such an approach results in significant stress and leads to unnecessary procedures and financial hardship for many patients.
Given the frequency of occurrence of such instances of "over-diagnosis", how can a person with back pain expect to receive appropriate care? Of course, people as patients are usually not in a position to be able to overrule their doctor's recommendations. The answer lies in obtaining relevant information. Let your doctor know you're aware that up to one-third of normal persons have herniated discs, and ask whether it's possible that your disc herniation is in fact unrelated to your back pain and merely an incidental finding. Further, if your back pain is not accompanied by leg pain radiating below your knee, it may be that the disc herniation is not affecting spinal nerve roots and may be treated by very conservative measures such as rest followed-up with exercise.
Thus, not all disc herniations have the same impact on a person's health. Some represent normal findings, even if they are present in a person who has back pain. Let your doctor explain to you exactly why your particular problem requires more than watchful waiting. Your local chiropractor will be able to provide you with the very best expert advice and recommendations for any necessary treatment.
1Takatalo J, et al: Does lumbar disc degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging associate with low back symptom severity in young Finnish adults? Spine (Phila PA 1976) 36(25):2180-2189, 2011
2Spontaneous regression of herniated lumbar discs. Kim ES, et al: J Clin Neurosci 2013 Oct 24. pii: S0967-5868(13)00552-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2013.10.008. [Epub ahead of print]
3Endean A, et al: Potential of magnetic resonance imaging findings to refine case definition for mechanical low back pain in epidemiological studies: a systematic review. Spine (Phila PA 1976) 36(2):160-169, 2011
The numbers of individuals undergoing total hip replacement and total knee replacement are increasing significantly.1 Annual rates in the United States for total hip replacement have increased more than 50%. In Denmark, rates have been increasing by 30%. Annual rates in the United States for total knee replacement have increased by more than 170%.2 In Sweden, rates have increased 500% in the last 20 years.3 With the aging of the population and increased lifespan, these rates will continue to increase.
Advanced surgical procedures are invaluable, if you need them. Of course, many persons have unrelenting, daily pain which may require radical surgery. For everyone else, though, the best way forward are the old reliables: regular exercise, as vigorous as is appropriate; a healthy diet containing plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; and sufficient rest on as consistent basis as possible. Regular chiropractic care is also a key component of helping to keep your weight-bearing joints in peak condition.
Most hip and knee replacements are done because the person has severely painful degenerative joint disease - osteoarthritis. Hips, knees, and ankles are all weight-bearing joints. These joints are big and strong and have many surfaces on which to distribute the substantial mechanical loads which are placed on them throughout the day. But these joints don't last forever and, like all living systems, they will eventually begin to age and break down. Serious problems ensue, however, when these critically important joints start breaking down long before their "warranty" expires.
Many hip and knee problems are a result of chronically poor posture. Almost none of us are taught how to use our bodies properly. We don't come with instruction manuals. So as time goes on, the inefficient habits we develop as children and teenagers become permanent. People slouch, they let their abdominal muscles sag, they stand with all their weight on one leg, and their heads stick out in front rather than being centered over their chests. One result is chronically tight and painful neck, shoulder, and lower back muscles. Another result is chronically uneven distribution of the weight of the body, ultimately causing degeneration of hip and knee joints.
Lack of a healthy diet prevents the lubricating tissues of the hip and knee joints from receiving key nutrients. Lack of proper joint lubrication causes osteoarthritis. Lack of regular exercise inhibits normal joint motion and normal joint nutrition and lubrication, leading to the development of degenerative joint disease. When you add up faulty biomechanics, lack of a healthy diet, and lack of proper exercise, the result is a prescription for chronic hip and knee problems.
It's very important to address these issues when you're young. When you're not as young as you were, the time to begin making healthful changes is right now. Chiropractic care directly helps improve a person's biomechanics. Chiropractic care also helps people make the best use possible of the good food they're beginning to eat and the regular exercise they're beginning to get.
For most of us, the best way to prevent the need for a hip or knee replacement is to take consistent, healthy actions on our own behalf. If a hip or knee replacement turns out to be the way to go, all of these healthy actions will help ensure a quick recovery and continued good health from this point onward.
1Singh JA: Epidemiology of knee and hip arthroplasty: a systematic review. Open Orthop J 5:80-85, 2011
2Kurtz S, et al: Prevalence of primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am 87(7):1487-1497, 2005
3Knutson K, Robertsson O: The Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register. Acta Orthop 81(1):5-7, 2010
How do you know whether your pain needs to be evaluated by your chiropractor? This is the age-old question. The answer needs to be specific to your particular problem, rather than a one-size-fits all solution. But there are good guidelines that everyone can follow.
First, is your pain deep and boring (that is, does the pain feel like it's boring into you)? Deep and boring pain usually means something is seriously wrong. If you're woken up at night by this type of pain, a visit to your chiropractor or family physician is in order. Kidney stones and inflamed gallbladders are common causes for deep, boring pain that causes a person to awaken from sleep. Severe heartburn is in this category, too, and should be evaluated by your doctor.
But these types of problems are easy to categorize. You'll probably know, instinctively, that something is wrong. Musculoskeletal pain is rather more difficult to analyze. For example, you lean over in a twisting motion to grab the glass of water on your nightstand and you feel a sharp pain in your lower back. Next morning you have great difficulty getting out of bed. Your lower back is stiff and sore. What should you do?1,2
Your best course of action will be based on a self-assessment. If you're experiencing pain that radiates down your leg, or numbness or tingling sensations traveling down your leg, you should call your chiropractor's office and ask to be seen right away. Or, if you don't have any radiating pain, but sneezing or coughing does provoke a radiating sensation, take the same action. Similarly, the amount of pain you're having will determine what you do. If the pain is severe, see your chiropractor.
If none of these criteria are present, decision-making gets a bit murky. How you handle your problem will depend on your tolerance for pain. If you have low tolerance, make an appointment to see your chiropractor and get some expert treatment. If you have a higher pain threshold, you might still call for an appointment just to make sure that nothing is seriously wrong. Certainly, if you haven't improved at all after 48 hours, you need to see your chiropractor.
There is another important scenario. If you have a medical condition such as cancer, an endocrine disorder, or a systemic infection, a sudden occurrence of back pain needs immediate attention, regardless of how or why you think the pain occurred.3 This is not to be an alarmist, but rather the recommendation is based on precaution. If there is an existing problem, then new issues need to be looked at closely, just to be sure.
These guidelines provide a sound basis for decision-making, but please remember they are just that - guidelines. Each person needs to be comfortable with their own process. And, of course, it's always much better to be safe than sorry. Your chiropractor is always available to help you sort out these kinds of problems.
1Smart KM, et al: The discriminative validity of "nociceptive," "peripheral neuropathic," and "central sensitization" as mechanisms-based classifications of musculoskeletal pain. Clin J Pain 27(8):655-653, 2011
2Arendt-Nielsen L, Graven-Nielsen T: Translational musculoskeletal pain research. Clin Rheumatol 25(2):209-226, 2011
3Casazza BA: Diagnosis and treatment of acute low back pain. Am Fam Physician 85(4):343-350, 2012
Most chronic joint-related problems involving the hip, knee, and ankle1,2 can be successfully managed with conservative treatment. Surgery for such conditions is typically a last resort and frequently does not work out well. Revision (repeat) procedures are common and represent a failure of appropriate patient selection. Severe, unrelenting, intractable pain is a suitable indication for procedures such as total joint replacement. But the best solution, of course, is to never get to such a set of circumstances in the first place. Chronic joint-related pain is often the result of faulty biomechanics. Abnormal mechanical stresses cause pain. The biggest part of the solution of such problems is learning how to correctly use your personal machine, that is, your own body.
We almost never think of what it takes for our body to work properly until something goes wrong. Usually what's going on physiologically is a seamless process, hidden from our conscious mind. However if we're experiencing chronic joint pain (or, better, at the first sign of such pain), it's time to become proactive.
Mechanical problems involving joints may be conceived as "crossing energies." Mechanical loads (such as forces of gravity) are best opposed by forces arrayed in parallel to, or perpendicular to, the force being supported. Such parallel or perpendicular forces may be thought of as "straight energies." Forces that are not "straight", that is, forces deployed at an acute angle, will cause mechanical stress to a joint over time. Such ongoing stress will damage muscles, tendons, and ligaments, resulting in strains and sprains. If these injuries are not corrected and become chronic, one may begin to experience a great deal of misery.3
Employing "straight" lines of force does not involve actually doing anything physically. Rather, such "straight energies" are activated by a process of visualization. You "see" the straight lines in your mind. To do this, you visualize a straight line running from your hip socket, through the center of your knee, across the center of your ankle, and down to the space between your first and second toes. The straight-line visualization connects your hip socket, knee, ankle, and first/second toe in both standing and bent-knee positions. Your mental image of these straight lines causes specialized nerve endings (proprioceptors) in your hip, knee, ankle, and foot to align these joints and align the mechanical actions of associated muscle-tendon groups. The result is balanced mechanical forces traversing these joints and, over time, reduction in pain. Time may be required for injured soft tissues to heal, but the typical long-term result is decreased pain and improved function.
The "straight" lines of force solution is low-tech and simple. Practice and consistency will go a long way toward successful management of chronic joint-related pain.
1Fox AS, et al: What is normal? Female lower limb kinematic profiles during athletic tasks used to examine anterior cruciate ligament injury risk: a systematic review. Sports Med 44(6):815-832, 2014
2Calatayud J, et al: Exercise and ankle sprain injuries: a comprehensive review. Phys Sportsmed 42(1):88-93, 2014
3Sidorkewicz N, et al: Examining the effects of altering hip orientation on gluteus medius and tensor fascae latae interplay during common non-weight-bearing hip rehabilitation exercises. Clin Biomech 2014 Sep 15. pii: S0268-0033(14)00213-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2014.09.002. [Epub ahead of print]
If you've ever been involved in a motor vehicle collision, you're probably familiar with the term "replacement parts" or "crash parts". Your auto insurance company will usually offer to repair your car using after-market bumpers, door panels, wheel assemblies, and other parts. Or, you may prefer to have the repair done with parts from the original manufacturer. Regardless of the source of the parts, your car will not be the same as it was in its original condition. It's important to bear the auto analogy in mind if a surgeon has recommended a hip, knee, or shoulder replacement as a solution to a problem of chronic pain.
The frequency of joint replacement procedures of all types is dramatically on the rise within the last 20 years.1 For example, in the United States there has been a 58% increase in total knee replacements from 2000 to 2006. There has been a 50% increase in total hip replacements from 1990 to 2002. Unfortunately, the revision rate (repeat procedures) for total knee replacement more than doubled and revision total hip replacements increased by 60% within the respective, above-noted intervals.
The simple fact is that although your body may appear to be a machine, it is rather an exceedingly complex entity whose whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. Thinking of your body as a machine may be a useful metaphor, one that may aid considerably in medical practice. But the metaphor is not the reality, and forgetting this crucial distinction may lead to substantial and possibly irremediable problems for a patient. Manufactured joints are never as good as your actual physiological structures, no matter the quality of the replacement components.
Of course, there are many circumstances in which joint replacement is indicated and provides great benefit for a patient. However, such procedures should probably be a last resort and never considered standard of care. A best practice would be to reserve joint replacement for situations in which pain is unrelenting and the person has failed several forms of conservative care.
Optimally, in most cases measures are available to avoid such radical outcomes. The best steps for each of us to take is to begin ongoing programs of regular vigorous exercise and healthy nutrition.2,3 Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and sufficient rest will assist all our physiologic systems to achieve peak levels of performance. By making such beneficial lifestyle choices, we help diminish the likelihood of chronic, debilitating pain and loss of function. As a result, we help ourselves avoid the need for replacement parts.
1Singh, JA: Epidemiology of Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review. The Open Orthopaedics Journal 5:80-85, 2011
2Marley J, et al: A systematic review of interventions aimed at increasing physical activity in adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain--protocol. Syst Rev 2014 Sep 19;3(1):106. [Epub ahead of print]
3Tanaka R, et al: Effect of the Frequency and Duration of Land-based Therapeutic Exercise on Pain Relief for People with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Phys Ther Sci 2014 Jul;26(7):969-75. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.969. Epub 2014 Jul 30
Do you suffer from neck pain? If you do, you're not alone. Nearly 75 percent of American adults will suffer from neck pain at some point in their lives. And, looking at our anatomy, it's no wonder so many of us do. Though having your head perched on top of your spine gives you a great view of your environment, the set-up is rather like propping a bowling ball atop a tower of blocks. The price? Our necks are prone to injury of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. But by paying attention to our posture, doing regular stretching and strengthening exercises, and visiting our chiropractors, we can help keep our necks pain-free.
Causes of Neck Pain
Neck pain ranges from mild (annoying and distracting) to severe (incapacitating). Poor posture during normal, everyday activities such as watching TV, using a computer, reading a book, or talking on the phone can easily trigger minor neck pain. TV watching can be particularly bad for the neck if you're lying on a couch, with your head propped at an awkward angle for a prolonged period of time. Holding the phone between the jaw and shoulder (rather than in your hand), reading at a desk or table with your head hung over a book, or working with a computer monitor below eye level can also be particularly stressful for the neck. By resting and making efforts not to repeat the offending stresses on the neck, minor neck pain usually disappears on its own within a day or so.
Neck pain that won't go away or keeps coming back can signal a more serious underlying problem. Subluxations or joint restrictions; injuries such as whiplash; diseases like osteoarthritis, meningitis and tumors; congenital malformation; and degeneration (such as that in arthritis) require more than rest. A trained healthcare professional such as a doctor of chiropractic (DC) can help. He or she can determine whether the cause of your neck pain is minor and easily treatable or more serious and requiring more intensive, extended treatment. Then he or she may recommend chiropractic adjustment, massage, natural anti-inflammatory supplements, and/or strengthening and stretching exercises. In some cases, the DC will refer you to a specialist.
Prevention is Key
How can you avoid the need for treatment in the first place? The first step is to take note of your everyday posture. If your job requires a lot of phone use, consider wearing a headset. Do you slouch when you watch TV? Lie on the couch? Choose to sit upright, in a posture-supporting chair. When studying or reading, avoid putting the book or magazine on a flat surface. Instead, consider using a book prop. And, if you notice your computer monitor is below eye level, elevate it by placing it on top of a shelf or tower.
If you experience neck pain that doesn't abate within 24 hours, seek the advice of a trained healthcare specialist for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. And remember, because chiropractors specialize in the neuromusculoskeletal system, they are some of the most well-trained healthcare professionals to consult about neck pain.
