Upper cervical chiropractors in Morgantown help people deal with their various health problems, including neck pain. Technology comes at a price. Tech neck is one price people have to pay.
We tend to become too dependent on technology nowadays. Neck pain happens because of our addiction to smartphones, tablets, mobile devices, computers, and TV. Excessive use of these devices results in health risks affecting our back and neck. No wonder a new term exists to address neck pain issues that develop from overuse of tech gadgets. This term is known as the tech neck.
Table of Contents
Get to Know the Anatomy of the Neck and Spine
The cervical spine (the region of the spine that is in the neck) contains seven vertebrae. It starts beneath the base of the skull and stops in the thoracic spine (the mid-back). Also, it is highly flexible and allows the head to move in various directions. Because of its flexibility, the neck can easily suffer from injury. How? It can happen due to the following reasons:
- Repetitive movements
- Slips, trips, slides, and falls
- Wear and tear
- Long periods of sitting
- Accidents that impact the head or neck
- Concussions
Any of these can cause chronic neck pain and other health problems. Fortunately, upper cervical chiropractors in Morgantown can take care of these issues. The upper cervical spine is consists of various components that may be the source of neck pain:
- Discs
If the discs between the vertebrae wear thin, bulge, or herniate, then degenerative disc disease may become the result.
- Facet Joints
Like the rest of your body joints, the facet joints in your neck can deteriorate because of wear and tear or injury.
- Ligaments
Accidents and injuries from any of the following can result in neck pain:
- Sports-related mishaps
- Car accidents
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Slips and falls
These can also cause damage to the ligaments of your cervical spine.
- Spinal Nerve Root
Joint arthritis, disc degeneration, bone spurs, or spinal misalignments can damage and irritate the spinal nerve roots.
- Muscles
Injury or muscle overuse can cause soreness of the neck muscles. Upper cervical chiropractors in Morgantown are well-versed in dealing with problems in the muscles and bones of the neck.
The upper part of the neck, where it links with the skull, is the essential region for neck pain. The atlas (C1) is the vertebra that supports the head and gives it a wide range of movement. It is also the most flexible and highly vulnerable bone in the entire spine. The atlas vertebra lacks protection and support because it has no disc below or above it. When the atlas bone misaligns, the rest of the neck will begin to compensate to maintain the head balanced in a neutral position.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and neck pain, request our by clicking the image below.
Technology Overuse And Its Effects On Your Neck
When people use their smartphones too much, there is the risk of putting your neck at risk. Can you imagine how? Looking down at the phone or tablet would require the neck to repeatedly get stuck in the same awkward position and prolonged periods. Craning your neck down too long can be bad for your posture. It would increase the weight placed on your neck to hold the head up properly. Therefore, if you look down at your device at a 45-degree angle, the neck’s load becomes heavier by almost 50 pounds. It means the neck is carrying more pressure than the neck is supposed to endure!
If you keep your neck and head in this awkward and unnatural position for prolonged periods repeatedly, it will cause injury, stress, and pressure to the neck later on. As a result, neck pain may be the most evident symptom of technology overuse. However, more conditions may develop in connection with tech neck:
- Migraines Or Headaches
Inflammation or neck pain will also impact your blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, overall health, and neurological function. When these occur, the onset of headaches and migraines are not far behind.
- TMJ Disorders
The neck is close to your jaw. Meaning, if a misalignment in the neck happens, it would automatically affect the jaw's resting position. Also, if the head cannot balance appropriately over the neck, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) would suffer excess pressure and stress. As a result, it can cause pain, jaw imbalance, and TMJ dysfunction.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And Wrist Pain
Using your computers, smartphones, or other hand-held devices for extended periods can lead to numbness, wrist pain, and tingling. Moreover, the nerves of the neck would extend through the arms, shoulders, and hands. Inflammation of the neck nerves would compound with carpal tunnel syndrome and other similar wrist issues.
- Upper Back Pain
As the neck supports a more massive load whenever it tilts forward, the upper back pressure increases and becomes more intense simultaneously.
- Lower Back Pain and Sciatica
The rest of the spine would begin to shift to compensate if you would compromise your neck, have bad posture, and sit at work for prolonged periods. Your sciatic nerve and lower back would suffer and become significantly affected as well.
Consult with One of Our Upper Cervical Chiropractors in Morgantown
Upper cervical chiropractors can correct any atlas misalignment as they have trained to do so. Atlas misalignment is often the underlying cause of various neck issues and tech neck. If you need a chiropractor for neck pain in Morgantown WV that can provide adequate care, visit Mountain State Wellness. One of upper cervical chiropractors can employ a natural, gentle, and precise technique to get to your personal needs. We directly address the underlying reason for your neck pain through a scientific and highly accurate scientific approach. Email us or call (304) 292-7740 to experience our unique and gentle care.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Lucas Watterson or Dr. Amy Watterson call our Morgantown office at 304-244-1817 You can also click the button below.
if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
