Neck pain is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the doctor. A sore, aching neck might make it difficult to do daily tasks, like driving, computer work, reading, and more. One complaint that is oftentimes associated with neck pain, especially pain that has been ongoing for a longer period of time, is numbness and tingling in the arms or hands. While your neck pain and arm or hand problems might not seem related, in most cases, they actually are.
The nerves in your neck branch off from your spinal cord and travel down the arm into the hand. There are many reasons why those nerves can be compromised:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and neck pain, download our free e-book by clicking the image below.
If there is pressure on the nerves in your neck for any of those reasons, it can be the cause of the discomfort in your arm or hand, even presenting with carpal tunnel syndrome-like symptoms.
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The spine works like a chain. A problem in one area of the spine can create issues in other areas of the spine since it's all connected through a series of joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The upper cervical region of the spine has the most range of motion for the entire spine. The atlas and axis, the top two vertebrae in the neck, allow us most of the freedom to turn our heads in all different directions. The atlas also bears most of the weight of our head, 10-12 pounds in an average adult. Because the atlas is so freely movable, it is also more vulnerable to misalignment.
When the atlas isn't aligned properly, the head is not able to be carried in a neutral position. This can place great strain on the discs, ligaments, and muscles of the rest of the neck. This can also be putting pressure on the nerves that provide function and sensation in the arms. At Precision Spine Specialists, we focus on correcting the atlas and getting it to a place where it can hold itself into position. When the atlas is normally aligned and the weight of the head can be carried properly, compromised tissues and alignment issues lower down in the neck are allowed to heal. By correcting the problem at its cause rather than just chasing around the pain and discomfort, NUCCA chiropractic can provide a lasting solution.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hall, call our Brentwood office at 615-488-7891 or just 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
