Currently viewing the category: "chronic neck pain"

Stretches for Chronic Whiplash Neck Pain

By On · Add Comment · In auto accidents, cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD), chiropractor, chronic neck pain, inflammation, rear-end collisions, scalene stretches, West Hollywood sports chiropractic office, whiplash

The most common chronic neck pain condition I see in my West Hollywood sports chiropractic office is related to untreated or incompletely treated whiplash injuries. In cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) automobile accidents, the most common being rear-end collisions (a common occurrence in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills), the head is translated (accelerated) in one direction, usually backward, and then snapped forward (decelerated) in the opposite direction. This can cause small micro-tears of the scalene muscles at the front of the neck, leading to inflammation, spasmodic guarding, and severe pain.

Far too many people fail to get their whiplash neck injuries treated properly following a motor vehicle accident. Either they don’t see a chiropractor at all, or the treating chiropractor (watch out for mills, people) neglects this important area, primarily the scalenes. It is not uncommon for me to see people with 10+ years chronic neck pain from the scar tissue and adhesions built up in this area.

Aside from effective chiropractic care to relieve the chronic neck pain caused by an auto accident, the scalene muscles need also be worked. But you can help your cause at home by doing the stretches outlined in the video below. The scalene muscles attach from the front of the cervical spine to the collar bone, so when tight, they can cause a forward head carriage, impingement on the nerves going into the arms (causing numbness and tingling), and neck pain.

Watch the video below for the best stretches for the scalene muscles to relieve pain from a whiplash neck injury.

iPad Neck is Real

By On · Add Comment · In Apple, chiropractor, chronic neck pain, iPad, iPad necking, massage therapist, neck flexion, tablet technology

I’ll bet Steve Jobs didn’t consider this one: Apple technology might just be the origin of a new pain syndrome–iPad neck.  I’m serious.  iPad neck is walking into my office, and for a little while it’s had me confounded.  But I see it all now.  iPad technology is perfectly positioned for creating stiff necks.

Think about iPad technology: Flat tablet computer that can be placed on a table or other flat surface (coffee tables, beds, even on bent legs while lying in bed).  But such a device laid horizontally flat forces the neck into a flexed position–that is, chin toward chest.  And used propped-up against the legs while lying in bed…well, that’s extreme flexion, and guaranteed over time to cause neck pain and stiffness.

Listen, there are three common activities that are killers, and guaranteed to cause chronic neck pain: watching T.V. in bed, long-term reading or studying (otherwise known as student-neck), and now iPad necking.  The prolonged neck flexion required by these activities will cause neck pain and stiffness.

When the neck remains flexed it causes a strain on the deep neck muscles, which have to remain contracted to counter the neck flexion.  I know it would seem as if the extensors (muscles along the spine on the back of the neck) relaxed during neck flexion, and they do, so why do iPad neckers feel pain in the back of the neck?  They do so because the deeper neck muscles contract to keep the head flexed, and these muscles refer pain to the back of the neck.

Okay, no problem…a chiropractor or massage therapist can work it out.  It would seem so…but what about when the pain remains after several treatments?  It means the client is unknowingly iPad necking every night.  So any bodywork practitioners reading this better ask your clients if they are working the iPad like they just spent $500 (which basically means ‘every waking moment’, so they can get their money’s worth).

Once iPad necking has been established, you’ll have to enter the rabid dog cage and tell that person they’ll have to give up iPad necking in bed at night and maybe even take a week’s break altogether to bring some much needed relief to the poor beaten up neck.  Please wear gloves and a beekeepers helmet, because taking an iPad from a user is like taking chocolate from a premenopausal junkie.  Expect shrieking.

Anyway, that’s my observation.  iPad neck is real.  I’m seeing more and more of it in my office everyday (read this L.A. Times article on iPad users using in bed).  And while the latest technology is certainly good for some things, tech designers aren’t often schooled in spinal biomechanics.  Maybe they should be.

Los Angeles Chiropractor: Home Stretches to Relieve Neck Pain

By On · Add Comment · In chiropractic adjustments, chiropractor, chronic neck pain, levator scapula, Los Angeles sports chiropractic, neck stretches, upper back pain, upper trapezius

Last month, I posted twice on how to relieve neck pain.  Whereas the first post dealt with the anatomy of neck and upper back pain, and the second with techniques I do in my Los Angeles sports chiropractic office, this post describes things you can do on your own, at home, to take a proactive role in correcting your chronic neck problems.

In the video below I demonstrate two outstanding neck stretches that focus on the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles.  Although these two have similar attachment points and functions, they require slightly different movements.  It is important to follow the steps laid out in the video–miss one, and you won’t get the proper stretch.  If you have trouble getting down the nuances of each stretch, just do the basic stretch I show first–believe me it’ll do wonders.

If you have chronic neck pain, it would be wise to visit a chiropractor.  With chiropractic adjustments, massage and neck stretches, your neck problems should clear up nicely.  If you are in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills or West Hollywood, come get your neck pain relief at my sports chiropractic office–you’ll be happy you did.

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