Atlantic Ave Magazine September 2019

health & beauty | pain relief
By dr. john conde
How To Fix That
“Pain In The Neck”
Neck pain can be, well, a “pain in the neck.” It is estimated that
10% of Americans (that’s 30,500,496 people!) are currently
suffering from neck pain. The traditional treatment prescribed
by physicians utilizing pain relievers, muscle relaxants, rest,
and possible soft collar application is no longer the acceptable
standard of care as this regimen only produces symptomatic relief.
According to a landmark report furnished by the Task Force
on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders (which can be
found in the peer reviewed medical journal Spine), some of
the most effective treatments for neck pain include manipulation,
mobilization, massage, and exercise. In addition, cutting-edge research
is exposing the benefits of brain-based therapeutic exercises
for the relief and prevention of neck pain due to the brain’s intimate
control of neck muscles.
The neck is the most dynamic part of the spine. Its main functions
are to protect the spinal cord, provide the foundation for the
skull, and act as a bridge connecting the skull with the rest of the
body. However, it has to be flexible enough to allow movement in
six different planes. This makes the neck the most vulnerable
region of the spine to injury. It is lined with a high
concentration of compression sensitive sensors
(joint mechanoreceptors), which when triggered
provide a high powered stimulation to the brain
which is essential for its health. The small muscles
which surround the neck play a large role in
the overall health of the neck. Reflexes generated
in these muscles in response to stretch relay
through a certain part of the brain termed the
cerebellum which then fire back to keep these same
muscles strong. As a result, brain-based therapies
geared towards the cerebellum produce amazing results
concerning the overall stability of the neck.
The most common neck complaints involve
three distinct structures: the disc, the
posterior joints of the spine also known as
the facet joints, and the soft tissue regions
including the ligaments and tendons surrounding
the spine. Injury to the discs
which are found between the vertebrae
and act as shock absorbers will produce
moderate to severe neck pain with associated
pain into the arm and hand. The pain may be relieved momentarily
with elevation of the affected arm over the head. Facet
joint injuries will also manifest as neck and arm pain but may start
without an offensive behavior like a trauma and will typically produce
pain down the outer arm into the hand. Lastly, soft tissue injury
will normally produce localized pain with severe restriction of
movement. Nausea and headache may accompany the pain. This is
commonly found after motor vehicle accidents.
Many new, advanced therapies are combining physical medicine
such as mobilization exercises, stretch/strengthening exercises,
myofascial release, traction, decompression, and nutrition with
brain-based exercises targeting the cerebellum region
of the brain. This approach not only focuses
on the neck structures themselves but also the regions
of the brain that control the deep intrinsic
muscles of the neck producing greater stability.
Stop hurting and start living.
Conde Center For
ChiroprACtic Neurology
401 West Atlantic Avenue, Suite #014
Delray Beach, FL 33444
561-330-6096
www.thecondecenter.com
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