The neck or cervical
spine consists of 7 small interlocking bones called vertebrae. Below them
is the thoracic spine [12 interlocking vertebrae] and above is the skull.
Between each vertebra is a disc which is primarily for shock absorbance.
Although discs can cause problems in the neck, it is relatively rare.
The vertebrae interlock via facet joints on each side of the vertebrae. These are often sprained when the neck is jerked forwards and then backwards by a sudden impact to the body [often referred to as whiplash]. Over the years, minor injuries and poor posture often lead to degeneration of these joints. Depending on the site of the degeneration it is called osteoarthritis or cervical spondylosis. Commonly all of these conditions cause neck ache.
Deep within the neck the spinal column runs from the brain down to the base of the spine. At each level a nerve arises on each side. In the upper neck the nerves travel to the skull and lower down the nerves travel to the arm. Pressure on the nerves can cause pain, pins and needles, numbness and hot and cold sensations in the head or arm and hand. The nerve can be compressed anywhere along its length but it is particularly vulnerable next door to the facet joints. Therefore swelling or degeneration in these joints may cause these symptoms.
Physiotherapy can help loosen up facet joints and take the pressure off the affected structures. Posture correction exercises and strengthening exercises are also very useful and physiotherapy can often completely relieve the pain from a whiplash or minor joint degeneration
Site Designed and Created by Alan Culpitt Web Design
