My Head Feels Heavy At The End Of The Day- What Can I Do?

The head is a large and heavy part of a person. In a child, the head can account for ¼ of their height. In the adult, the head weighs 10-14 pounds and this load has to be balanced by the strength of the neck muscles. In normal upright posture, there is a forward curve to the neck, and this curve provides the perfect balance between strength and mobility. Unfortunately this curve can be disrupted by whiplash and other traumas that damage the delicate ligaments and disks. This results in a straight or “military” neck.

When a person bends their head forward to read or type, the neck begins to straighten and the weight of the head must be countered by the pull of the muscles at the back of the neck. If the person does this all day, because they work at a computer for example, then the muscles never get a break. Knots, tightness or spasm of the muscles will increase and cause a neck ache. Because the muscles pull at the base of the head, the person may feel a tightness or pain around the head. These are the symptoms of what is called a tension-type headache.

Usually the shoulder muscles are also involved and tight. Over time this forward head posture can become more permanent and a “round back” may also develop. More than just bad appearance, poor posture causes the spinal cord and nerves to become stretched resulting in pain. Poor posture may also cause the spine to prematurely deteriorate, called degeneration, which results in thin disks.

Forward head posture and bad neck curves can be diagnosed by x-ray and by observing the patient from the side. If forward head posture is detected, it usually means there is some stretch to the ligaments.

The answer cannot be found in a bottle of pain pills. Although they can block pain, the consequences are quite severe. First, they mask the cause of the symptoms and lead the patient away from the actual cause of the head pain. In addition, pain pills can cause stomach bleeding and kidney damage when taken for long periods of time.

There are other causes for tension-type headaches and the ‘heavy” feeling of the head. Certain rare diseases and high blood pressure can also make the head hurt. This is why it is important to have the cause of your problem properly diagnosed. Chiropractic doctors have extensively studied both spinal problems that cause headaches, as well as the more rare diseases, which occasionally cause the same symptoms.

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Does Stretching Help Low Back Pain?

Like most health conditions, low back pain is a chronic problem. Patients with low back pain typically suffer off and on for years. Back pain seems to come on when we overexert or do something out of the ordinary, such as moving boxes or when returning to a sport we have not tried since our high school days.

Most patients will say that stretching seems to prevent problems and injuries from the activities of daily living. Both the weekend warrior and the daily athlete will attest to the benefits of stretching prior to the activity.

But stretching is typically not a good treatment plan when the pain comes on. Why is that? Why is something so effective for preventing a problem and completely useless as a cure. Some patients are lucky however. Through trial and error, they may find that the stretching actually causes their back pain to get better. But over the years its effectiveness diminishes. Some patients will say that their normal pre-activity stretches actually make the pain get much worse.

Stretching is designed to lengthen muscles and tendons. But back problems typically affect the ligaments and the discs. And the problem here is that the ligaments are stretched out, allowing the bones to creep into abnormal positions. So while stretching may help a tight muscle, its affect on ligaments can be detrimental.

Another factor to consider is that the delicate nerves of the lower spine cross the disk areas. With stretching, those nerves can lengthen and become even more irritated.

If you find that your normal stretches seem to have no effect on your pain or even make the pain worse, then that is a sign the ligaments have been damaged. Stretching will not help in this scenario and you will need to consult a chiropractic doctor who will perform an examination of the ligaments and discs.

The adjustments that chiropractors perform are designed to align the bones of the spine so that the ligaments do not remain stretched-out, producing pain. Over weeks, the bones begin to hold their normal position for longer periods of time and gradually the ligaments begin to shorten.

The doctor can also advise you on stretches that lengthen the muscles but do not cause further stretch to the already damaged ligaments of the lower spine.

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What Is The Carpal Tunnel Whiplash Connection?

Carpal tunnel symptoms typically come on slowly. Day after day we are able to type at the computer with no problem and then one morning a little tingling in the fingers develops. We shake our hands, stretch the fingers, and try to go back to the keyboard. But inevitably the tingling continues and seems to worsen as we try to do our work.

Why does this occur? Why are we fine one day, and the next we have disabling pain that interferes with our ability to work? This can be very distressing psychologically and many patients with carpal tunnel symptoms show signs of depression.

So what was the event that triggered the problem? A chiropractic or medical doctor may ask about a trauma to the wrist bones but most patients will not say they suffered an accidental injury. Often times, both hands seem to be affected and trauma is usually seen when landing on one wrist, with symptoms following within minutes or days of the event.

But carpal tunnel is much different. The symptoms come on slowly and out of nowhere. Typing is fine one day, and the next we cannot complete our work at the keyboard.

Carpal tunnel symptoms come from the nerves that pass through the wrist. Those nerves begin in the neck, cross the shoulder and go down the arm before entering the carpal tunnel that is formed by the bones in the wrist.

Typing is not a traumatic motion for the fingers and the hand. One has to look at other potential areas where the nerves travel. These areas can become traumatized from accidents. The neck is especially vulnerable to trauma from car accidents and sports injuries. The delicate ligaments and discs of the neck can be injured when the head is whipped around from trauma.

Unfortunately when we type, the neck is usually in a forward bent position, especially if the typist has to look at the keyboard while working. If the computer user is in this position for many hours during the day, the nerves can eventually become stretched, producing pain, tingling and numbness. If those same nerves were traumatized from a whiplash injury, forward head position alone can be enough to bring on symptoms. This is why it is important that a doctor looks at more than just the wrist areas when examining the patient.

When the low back is injured, leg pain or sciatica can result. The problem is rarely caused by a problem in the leg. Carpal tunnel symptoms act the same way. If your carpal tunnel symptoms don’t seem to respond to wrist treatments, consult a chiropractor who will do a detailed examination of all areas that could be causing the problem, especially the neck. Tell the doctor about any traumas to the spine you may have suffered in the past. Injuries from even decades earlier can be the hidden cause of your problem and are very significant.

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Fibromyalgia: What Is It And What Can Be Done?

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder. It is complex because different systems of the body are affected and treatments need to be both comprehensive and specific. Fibromyalgia overlaps with other diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome, which shares many of its characteristics. The patient usually has general fatigue and due to pain, may be impaired in their capacity to work.

Fibromyalgia literally means painful muscles and tendons, and patients will say there are painful areas throughout their body. They may have low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and painful knees. Not every patient will have the same painful areas but all patients will suffer multiple painful sites.

Because of this widespread pain, it is thought that there is a central cause in many patients such as hormone or brain regulation. Cortisol, a stress hormone, can be elevated in many patients.

Many patients also show problems at local (called peripheral) areas such as the spine. They may also have a history of injury to these areas and may have suffered sprains and strains. When these problems occur, the patient may not be able to function as before. They may be unable to do work or engage in physical activities. This can then create a downward spiral because it is movement that most fibromyalgia patients lack. When one does not exercise, spinal pain can become more severe. It is well known that prolonged bed rest actually increases low back pain.

By getting painful disorders of the spine and other joints addressed through chiropractic care, the patient can then re-engage in activities.

Because diet can be so important to overall well being and healing, it needs to be addressed in any comprehensive fibromyalgia treatment program. Many patients have poor diets and many more still are also overweight and obese. Nutrient deficiencies need to be countered, but diet does not end with meat, potatoes, and iceberg lettuce. Certain foods can actually promote more inflammation, which generally means more pain. There are dietary approaches that can decrease the promotion of inflammation.

Patients also need to consider psychological factors such as depression, which can compound the physical problems. Even if the patient is not clinically depressed, chronic pain will alter mood and their motivation to work or exercise. A positive mental attitude is important to adhering to a comprehensive treatment program. The patient is not passive and is instead an active participant in their recovery.

By approaching diet, exercise, spinal health, and other physical and psychological factors, the patient may be more able to decrease some of their fibromyalgia symptoms. Because the symptoms are widespread, a comprehensive treatment program will be the approach that will most likely succeed.

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Can Emotions Cause Low Back Pain?

This article discusses how anger and emotional expression may affect your back pain. For years many medical doctors thought back pain was more of an issue in the brain than the spine. Research has shown this to be the case in many who are disabled from work. But mechanical sprain injuries of the spine are also critical to body function and how much pain you may experience. You just cannot separate the brain from the body and expect to tackle a difficult problem like low back pain.

Researchers at Duke University looked at this complex problem by measuring the amount of emotional expression, anger, and back pain in patients. The studies included 61 persons with chronic low back pain. The results were quite interesting. Patients who reported greater conflict with regard to expressing emotions may be experiencing higher pain and anger.

Have you ever considered that how you express your emotions could affect how much the back hurts? Do you hold on to angry thoughts and feelings? Ignoring these issues does not make the problem go away. And covering-up your emotions with a cocktail of medications doesn’t seem like a good long-term solution, especially with the unhealthy side effects that can sometimes occur.

Of course there is a difference between “blowing up” at someone and expressing emotions appropriately. Have you tried opening up to someone? A friend, or counselor can help show how your emotions can be dealt with constructively. Some patients have severe emotional conflicts and may require psychological support. Others can become more “in tune” with the emotional side of life through simple awareness. Does your back flare up around emotional periods of your life? We can help with the mechanical stresses of the spine, but to maximize your potential you have to consider emotions and the brain. By integrating a mind-body approach to health, the complexity of back pain is addressed more fully. This may get you more engaged with life, more active, and with a healthy outgoing attitude.

Being in chronic pain is no fun, for us, as well as our friends and family. So if you think your emotions (or lack of emotions) may have something to do with your back pain, consult a competent health care provider who addresses the whole person. When patients can confront these issues in a calm and supportive environment, the need for medications if often reduced.

To find out more about how I treat low back pain and other low back related conditions like sciatica, spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.

What Can I Do to Prevent Low Back Pain?

One important concept in spine care is making the patient an active participant in their rehabilitation. It’s important to change our sedentary lifestyles so that we not only get well, but also do things that prevent problems from occurring in the first place. But first, it is important to understand how back injuries occur. When we bend and twist and pick up things, tremendous forces are placed on the disks and ligaments of the spine. It’s important for muscles to be coordinated and flexible so you have maximum strength to resist.

Hopefully you’ve begun an exercise program. One of the more neglected areas of daily spinal hygiene is stretching. By stretching the muscles that move the bones and joints, we make them more flexible. This can make you more resilient at resisting heavy or awkward loads.

The important thing is to do stretches correctly. In general you want to be warm when you stretch. If you’re not too warm, then proceed slowly, gradually bringing more circulation to the area. After a long walk is a good time to stretch. You can also do stretches throughout the day, even in your office chair. Simple hand and shoulder stretches can be done at the computer, and can help to release tension in the shoulders and wrists.

It’s helpful to hold the stretch for at least 40 seconds so that the muscles have a chance to respond and elongate, and do not bounce, or move in a quick or rapid way.

If you have a back or other joint injury, it’s important that certain stretches are avoided, because they can further increase the stretch on ligaments. For example, you may not be able to touch your toes right now, but there are better ways to gain this flexibility than through toe-touching stretches. This is because bending forward can also aggravate a lower back condition. Instead you can bring the leg up to stretch the back of the thigh by placing the foot on a chair or table (acting as ballet bar). By keeping the low back in good upright posture, the back of the thigh is stretched while also lowering the stress on the spinal disks.

Our office can assist you with creating an individualized daily stretching program that fits your lifestyle, and minimizes the risk of injury.  Paying attention to these simple preventive measures can be worth a pound of cure down the road.

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Chronic Headaches and the Pill Industry

The advertisements are everywhere, at the supermarket, gas station, billboards, or TV, compelling us to ingest another pill for an ill. Nowhere is this more prominent than in the pain pill industry. We are told that simple pain relievers really do the trick to make that nasty headache go away. But have you ever thought about how you the consumer are being manipulated? These over-the-counter drugs are a booming industry and make huge profits for the companies that push them.

Have you wondered why you don’t see an advertisement suggesting that you should see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis, to determine the cause of your headache? Instead, we self-diagnose and self-medicate all while finding no long-term solution for a chronic and long-term problem.

The first question a consumer needs to ask is, “why do I have a headache?”

Why is my body signaling pain? Humans and other animals have a nervous system that warns us of problems by making us experience pain. The pain is a like a fire alarm. What would life be like if the fire department responded to a house fire by cutting the fire alarm? We’d still be in a raging inferno. But when pain is temporarily silenced with medicine, the cause of the pain continues. No one could seriously think that headaches are caused by a lack of ibuprofen in the diet? That’s CRAZY! But these pain pills are consumed by so many Americans, they have almost become part of the national diet. And of course the dirty little secret is that many people double and triple the dosages recommended on the bottle.

The warnings on the bottle don’t seem to help much either. Stomach bleeding, liver and kidney problems are all serious unintended consequences of taking these pills over a long duration. The side effects are even more dangerous if we drink alcohol regularly.

So what’s a person to do? First, get examined by a doctor of chiropractic to determine if there an underlying spinal cause for your headache. The doctor can also rule out rare things that can be causing the headache, such as high blood pressure or a brain tumor (very rare causes). Next, it’s important to realize that pain is a signal and should be embraced rather than ignored or suppressed.

Through natural chiropractic care your headaches can go away without pain pills. Clinical research in the form of randomized clinical trials, have documented the effectiveness of chiropractic care in patients with headaches. The safety profile of chiropractic is far superior to pain medications, including the over-the counter variety.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome In Your Neck?

Over the decades we have come to expect that a pain or tingling in the hand and wrist means there is a local injury in the area. Since many surgeries are done each year on the wrist to relieve these symptoms, it seems logical that this is the case. But many patients with “successful” surgeries still have problems over time. Others get only temporary relief and the problem quickly returns. Other patients can develop wrist and hand symptoms that mimic carpal tunnel syndrome, after a whiplash injury or sprain/strain of the neck. These patients may not have any trauma at all to the wrist and hand area but have severe hand pain. Why does this occur?

One possibility is that the carpal tunnel diagnosis was incorrect. Because your body is interconnected with joints and nerves, symptoms often occur at another location from that of the actual problem. Taking this approach is more holistic, vs. the often-fragmented medical view of things. We have doctors of the feet, the eyes, and various other body parts. These types of specialists, while often good at specific problems, can sometimes miss diagnoses that are complex and involve multiple body systems.

More and more research has shown this to be the case in carpal tunnel patients. A study from 2006 looked at the spines of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. MRI’s, x-rays, and nerve testing were done on patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, and another group with referred pain from the neck and into the wrist and hand. Another group of subjects, with no symptoms at all, served as the control. The x-rays showed that degeneration of the disks in the neck were present in both patient groups. The MRI took things a step further, to see if the tiny holes between the neck bones showed narrowing and a pincer effect on the nerves.

This study showed that in carpal tunnel syndrome there is often degenerative changes in the neck and supported the “double-crush” nerve hypothesis. Seeing a doctor of chiropractic to make sure that your wrist and neck is properly examined is key to proper diagnosis. Without proper assessments, treatments are often unsuccessful, especially surgery. Before embarking on the more invasive option of surgery, consider conservative chiropractic care. If the problem in your wrist is more a problem in your neck, specific wrist treatments will be ineffective.

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