At some point in life, most people have suffered neck pain. Generally, it is a minor condition without complications. Symptoms are commonly described as irritation or neck stiffness. Very often, degenerative disorders of the spine are responsible. The “degenerative disease” refers to the changes associated with spinal wear or advancing age. Although it is among the most common causes of neck pain, sometimes it is the most difficult to treat.
These disorders affect adult patients of any age, and there is a tendency for some specific disorders affect certain age group. Herniated discs are more common in young (under forty), while spondylitis and stenosis are more often in older patients.
What causes osteoarthritis or degenerative disease of the spine? Specialist’s column is not too clear how the disorder arises, except chalk it up to age. For now, most theories about how the spine degenerates are just that: theories. And although they are often well – reasoned, it is very difficult to check. It is also important to try to understand them, because they are the best explanation we have for now about this problem.
When we refer to degenerative disease we speak of a failure in the normal structure of various elements of the cervical spine. Normally, the neck is very flexible, allows the head to turn from side to side, almost 180 degrees, flexing to touch the chin to your chest, and bring back almost to the top of the back with the neck; You can also tilt your head to the shoulders. This can be achieved thanks to the various joints of the cervical spine.
There are seven cervical vertebrae in the spine, with each pair of them can achieve part of the total movement of the neck. The more joints and vertebrae, allowed greater movement. The cervical vertebrae are connected together by means of three joints. This gives greater stability column, while allowing movement. The movements are limited due to the fragile content passing through the tunnel formed between the vertebrae, the spinal cord.
“The spinal cord” is constituted by the nervous elements traveling along the spine from the brain to the rest of the body. The spinal cord carries signals (electro-chemical) that control all (voluntary, autonomous and sensitivity) functions below that level. The function of the spine is to protect the spinal injury during movement and activity.
Facet joints are formed by two opposed surfaces of bone. Some joints are covered by a smooth, shiny cartilage. Cartilage slippery properties make the two surfaces move easily together.
Furthermore, the main joint between two cervical vertebrae is the intervertebral disc. This disc is between two large, flat surfaces of the body of the vertebra. The disc consists of two elements, the nucleus pulpous is a kind of pellet gelatin and the annulus fibrosis, which is a series of concentric rings that bind a vertebral body with another retaining the core inside. This design combines adequate freedom of movement, and at the same time is an important element spinal stability. However, it is a frequent site of degeneration or failure.
Looking at it another way, you can be considered to disk as a buffer cushion between two bones. Dampers can withstand gently downward forces produced in the vertebrae by the weight and movement of the head. This cushioning pad should be thick and soft for a smooth operation. As the pad is firmly attached to both bones, resists the tendency of these misaligned. Over time and with use, the pad may lose altitude.
In this state, the disk no longer provides adequate cushioning between the vertebrae. The bones, then, are closer and closer. As the disk no longer holds the load to which it is normally subjected, the facet joints of the spine are forced to bear a greater burden.
In these, which were designed to carry only a portion of the forces of the column, the cartilage begins to degenerate is no longer heddle and slide. As cartilage degenerates, the underlying bone is exposed and begins an inflammatory reaction. This causes irritation to joints, which can lead to pain. This establishes a vicious circle of events. The more facet joints degenerate, the lower its ability to tolerate the increased demands.
This degeneration of the articular surfaces Facet facilitates the installation of subluxations, ie you obstruct the movement or vertebral fixations that modify the spinal biomechanics and alter the correct movement of nerve impulses, potentially leading to local pain and radiating to the shoulder and arm, and alter the operation visceral giving due digestive problems, breathing etc.
What can you do Chiropractic?
The chiropractor by setting restores vertebral subluxations restricted movement generating greater mobility and frees the nerve roots subluxation altered by reconstituting the proper functioning of the nervous system. Complementing chiropractic treatment works soft tissue, muscle, fascia and ligaments by filling physiotherapy, manual therapy and postural. In order to maintain freedom of joint movement, prevent contracture and pain indicates a professional exercise routine and simple stretching, the patient should be performed routinely. Patient cooperation in this regard is critical because osteoarthritis is a progressive and irreversible chronic disease so far.