Kinked neck

[Visionz]

Ok, you know how when sometimes you turn your head too quickly and you get that sharp "pain in the neck" feeling? Some people refer to it as a kink in your neck or whatever. What causes it? Do you pinch a nerve or something, or is it due to twisting muscles or what? Anyway to really prevent it from happening, besides not turnig your head too quickly? *lol* Just curious, because I just got one a few minutes ago, and now my neck hurts a little. :lol:


[Edited by Visionz on Apr 14, 2003 11:21 AM]

[pbhou]

a minor case of a pinched nerve maybe?

chiropractics work wonders!

[mixinmarkski]

I'd say to evaluate maybe how you sleep. I get the same thing and its because my head just tilts all over the place when I sleep, and then it kinks all day when I turn my head. Also, use a heating pad on your neck to relax your muscles, that works pretty good for me.:

[Doc]

I'm going to try to explain this as simply as I can.

From activities of daily living, poor posture, and past injuries. Muscles in our necks become tight and weak, while others become stretched and weak: which = muscle imbalance. When a muscle imbalance is present it leaves your spine (vertebral joints) open to injury more quickly = spinal instabilities. Turning your head quickly causes these spinal instabilities to show up as symptoms. Symptoms are usually caused by the spinal bones (vertebrae) moving into abnormal positions. Thus leading to the nerves of the spine being pulled, twisted, and or occasionally the classic "pinched". The body then reacts by trying to quickly stabilize the area, but since instabilities are already present leads to more muscle spasm, pain, and immobility. Which makes the problem even worse. For many after the muscle spasm decreases and the mobility slowly returns. The nerves have less pulling, twisting, and or pinching on them and thus no more symptoms untill the next episode shows up. For others eventually the vertebral joints develop grooves for these abnormal positions and with time the occational neck pain that comes and goes is coming more often and taking more time to go away. Then adhesions start to form which lead to headaches (that start in the back of the neck), immobility, stiffness, and achyness in the morning. Basically the start of arthritis. Arthritis doesn't occur quickly but over years. This just means that you could be at risk for developing it quicker.

The first step to prevent this from happening again is to get a spinal examination to find these problematic areas and correct them, before they become a bigger problem. With joints moving correctly, muscles stretched and strengthened, and good posture recommendations and exercises. This problem shouldn't occur again.

[Edited by Doc on Apr 14, 2003 12:08 PM]

[Visionz]

Thanks Doc. Out of curiosity, by working out and building the muscles in the back, will that help prevent nerves getting pinched? Or is it pretty much the way the bones in your back move around? The reason why I ask, is that I work out every other day at home on a home gym. However, I don't really concetrate too much on doing excercises that strengthen the back. I more or less do everything else (neck, shoulders, arms, legs, etc..). If I were to start working out the muscles in my back gradually, do you think this will help from having any back/nerve injuries?

It's funny that you mentioned arthritis. That's a very common thing in my family, and sometimes when I'm working on cars, I can feel the dexerity in my hands start to loosen up. I'll have to rest my hands and wrists for a while, and then start back up. Is Arthritis a genetic thing, or could anyone pretty much get it at any time? I know there's been a few people in my family get arthritis in the back. Hopefully by working out and keeping my back muscles strong, I can prevent that from happening to me, and maybe even stop the occasional pinched nerve. *lol*

But I've never been to a chiro. My annual physical check up is coming up in a month, so I think I'm gonna book an appointment with one just to do a check up and make sure everything is going well.

[Edited by Visionz on Apr 14, 2003 12:49 PM]

[pbhou]

as i see it, coming from a rather extensive weightlifting background, and currently actively involved in chiropractics (on the receiving end) i'd say that building your back muscles will HELP. It will certainly help relieve the symptoms, but only chiropractics will fix the root problems, which you cannot do on your own. And there is no other doctor with the knowledge and training that a chiropractor has. They're not just spinal doctors, but nervous system doctors. In fact, when I'm having any kind of illness, I talk to my chiropractor first. For example: he's helped me with my asthma, football injuries, and even a mild case of urinary tract infection I had for a little while.

most doctors would scream blasphemy at this paradigm, but i shit you not: it works.

i'll take chiropractics, massage therapy, and herbal remedies over medicinal remedies any day.

[Doc]

Here's the common muscles in your neck and shoulder area that are affected by poor posture.

Muscles that shorten and become tight (Short Weakness)
Levator Scapulae, SCM, Scalenes, Upper Trap, and Pec Major

Muscles that stretch (Stretch Weakness)
Lower Cervical & Thor. Erectors, Middle & lower Traps, and Rhomboids

There are specific exercises and stretches given when abnormalities are found in these areas. Only after an examination can a determination be made as to what needs to be done where. However, you do have the right idea, by keeping muscles strong and stretched you will stay healtier and so will your back.

Yes, having a family history of arthritis can mean that you are more likely prone to getting it. However, if you recognize this early enough, arthritis can be slowed, stopped, and in some cases reversed.