Solving Neck Pain
We talk about neck pain a lot and it’s because neck pain is the most common issue we work with at Optimize Chiropractic. As you’ve read on our blog there is a huge overlap between neck pain and dizziness, neck pain and balance, neck pain and concussion risk, neck pain and headaches, and neck pain and jaw pain. We could go on, but you get the point. There are a lot of painful and non-painful disorders that are directly related to neck pain or that overlap with neck pain.
Beyond the Ache: Why Neck Pain Affects Balance, Vision, and More
The neck has more range of motion than any other group of joints in our entire body, the neck also has more sensory receptors than any other area in our body, specifically the upper cervical spine. These sensory receptors communicate with our eyes, our inner ear, and the rest of our body to coordinate movement and allow us to run through the world without constantly tripping, getting off balance, and falling or flailing about.
With the massive amount of complex movements that we are able to perform solely due to the masterful dance of neurology between our neck, our eyes, and our inner ear it makes sense that when there is an issue in one of these complex systems it can affect a lot more then just pain. This masterful neurological dance is known as sensorimotor control.
Neck Pain
Let’s get back to the neck and specifically neck pain. Nearly 50% of the adult population will suffer from neck pain at least once during their lifetime. When it comes to managing neck pain the main challenge is providing an accurate assessment of what is occurring in the neck that is causing the pain and dysfunction then accurately applying the necessary therapies.
A large portion of neck pain is considered “non-specific” because their is no clearly defined issue that would lead to the exact pain pattern of the individual or there may be many different overlapping symptoms that do not point to one cause of neck pain.
Think of it this way. C = neck pain.
In patient 1, A+B = C
Or put another way, for pain to occur in this individual both A and B must be present. A = 5+ hours staring at the computer, B = arthritis in the neck.
For patient 1 when they work at a computer for 5+ hours they get neck pain. A+B=C
However, when they don’t work at a computer for 5+ hours they don’t get neck pain.
B doesn’t = C, because there is no A and for this individual the only time they have pain is when they spend 5+ hours at the computer.
Age Specific prevalence of degeneration in pain free individuals.
Now someone might take an MRI or an X-ray of the patient 1, and find degeneration in the neck and point to it and say, this is your issue. You have arthritis in your neck and it’s causing your pain. However, pointing to a static image or an Xray or MRI and saying this is your pain without looking at the function of the neck is dishonest at best and malpractice at worst. Especially considering 52% of individuals at the age of 30 will have degeneration in their neck but absolutely no symptoms. 60% of individuals at the age of 50 will have a bulging disc, but no pain, and even at 40 years old 50% of individuals will have a bulging disc in the neck but no pain.
Someone can have degeneration, someone can have arthritis, someone can have a bulging disk and exist without having pain. Now does the arthritis or bulging disk put them at a mechanical disadvantage in certain positions or possibly increase the risk of injury, maybe, but we really don’t know.
One thing we do know is that individuals with neck pain, whiplash injuries, chronic neck pain, and those who have had repeated head traumas have worse sensorimotor control compared to individuals without pain and that this underlying inability to properly control the movement of the neck is thought to be a primary factor in neck pain becoming chronic and not going away.
The Unsung Hero: Your Neck and Sensorimotor Control
Sensorimotor control refers to the complex process by which the central nervous system (our brain and spinal cord) integrates sensory information (from vision, proprioception, and the vestibular system) with motor commands to coordinate and execute movement.
This integration is critical for maintaining balance, posture, and interacting with the environment in an efficient and effective manner.
The process involves several key components:
Sensory input: This includes information from visual (sight), proprioceptive (sense of body position), and vestibular (balance and spatial orientation) systems. The CNS receives and processes this information to understand the body's position and movement in space.
Integration: The brain, particularly areas like the cerebellum and basal ganglia, integrates the incoming sensory information with past experiences and current motor plans to make decisions about the appropriate motor responses.
Motor output: Based on the integrated information, the CNS generates motor commands that are sent to the muscles to produce movements. These movements are aimed at achieving a desired action, such as walking, reaching, or maintaining balance.
Sensorimotor control is essential for performing everyday activities smoothly and efficiently. It allows for adaptations to changes in the environment or in the body's own state. Disruptions in sensorimotor control can result from neurological disorders, injuries, or conditions like stroke, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injuries, leading to challenges in movement and coordination.
When it comes to sensorimotor control our body must have the proper input to have the proper motor control.
Input comes from sensors in our neck called proprioceptors. These proprioceptors are highly sensitive to the position and movement of the neck, allowing for precise adjustments to maintain balance and orientation. When these sensors are compromised, either through injury, degenerative changes, or dysfunction, the quality of the input to our central nervous system is reduced. This can lead to a disruption in the delicate balance of sensorimotor control, manifesting as difficulties in maintaining posture, coordination, and ultimately leading to neck pain.
Effective management of neck pain, therefore, must involve not just addressing the pain itself but also the underlying issues affecting sensorimotor control. This requires a comprehensive approach that doesn’t just look at one factor but takes all factors into account to create a comprehensive plan for not just relief but improvement of motor control as well. That’s what we do at Optimize Chiropractic with our Data-Driven Approach.
Restoring Harmony: Treatment Options for Sensorimotor Control and Neck Pain
Let's break down the physiological basis and benefits of the care we provide specifically related to the neck here at Optimize Chiropractic. This includes QSM3 Chiropractic, proprioceptive rehab, and neuromuscular rehabilitation which work in conjunction with each other in improving function and decreasing pain, particularly in the context of neck pain management.
Proprioceptive Rehabilitation
Proprioceptive rehabilitation focuses on restoring and enhancing the proprioceptive feedback system, which is crucial for movement control and posture. Proprioceptors, located in muscles, tendons, and joint capsules, provide the central nervous system (CNS) with continuous information about joint position and movement. As we mentioned above in many individuals with neck pain both acutely and chronically there is a alteration of this continuous information which leads to faulty movements and pain. Proprioceptive rehabilitation can help through many different avenues.
Enhanced Sensory Feedback: Rehabilitation exercises aimed at improving proprioception increase the quality and quantity of sensory feedback sent to the CNS. This enhanced feedback improves the body's ability to detect and correct deviations from desired movement patterns, thereby reducing the risk of injury and dysfunction and helping the body heal.
Improved Motor Control: With better proprioceptive input, the CNS can generate more accurate motor outputs. This results in movements that are more coordinated and less likely to cause strain and pain, as the musculoskeletal system can work more efficiently.
Increased Stability: Proprioceptive training often includes balance and stabilization exercises that strengthen the muscles supporting the neck and spine. This increased stability is crucial for protecting the neck from awkward movements and positions that could lead to pain or injury.
Adaptation to Changes: By constantly challenging the proprioceptive system through varied and dynamic exercises, the body becomes better at adapting to changes in the environment and movement demands. This adaptability can help prevent neck pain by allowing the body to adjust more easily to stresses and strains.
QSM3 Chiropractic
Quantum Spinal Mechanics3 (QSM3) Chiropractic is an approach that focuses on correcting spinal alignment and improving posture through gentle adjustments based on the tensional relationship between our skeleton and our fascia and muscles. It operates on the principle that reducing the tension on the framework of the spine is key to optimal nervous system function and overall health. The physiological benefits include:
Reduced Mechanical Stress: By reducing the tension, QSM3 Chiropractic reduces mechanical stress on the: ligaments, tendons, vertebrae and discs. This can alleviate pain caused by compression, misalignment, or irritation of nerves and soft tissues.
Improved Nervous System Function: 20% of daily energy is used by our brain and the majority of that 20% is for movements control. The more tension on the skeletal system the harder the body and the brain has to work to keep us upright and the less energy our brain is able to use for normal task. Reducing the tension on the skeletal framework helps to decrease this amount of energy utilized allowing for enhanced nervous system function.
Enhanced Circulation: Decreased tension on the skeletal framework facilitates better blood flow and lymphatic drainage. Improved circulation can aid in the healing process by bringing nutrients to damaged tissues and removing waste products, thus promoting a healthier environment for tissue repair and pain reduction.
Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
Neuromuscular rehabilitation is designed to improve the interaction between the nervous system and the muscular system. It involves a variety of techniques, including exercises, stretches, and sometimes manual therapies, aimed at enhancing muscle function and reducing pain. The physiological mechanisms include:
Correcting Muscle Imbalances: Neuromuscular rehabilitation focuses on identifying and correcting muscle imbalances that can lead to pain and dysfunction. By strengthening and improving function of weak muscles it helps to restore proper muscle function and joint alignment.
Improving Muscle Activation: Techniques used in neuromuscular rehabilitation can enhance the efficiency of muscle activation patterns. This is crucial for performing movements smoothly and preventing compensatory strategies that can lead to pain and injury.
Reducing Muscle Tension: Chronic neck pain is often associated with increased muscle tension and trigger points. Neuromuscular techniques can help in releasing these trigger points and reducing tension, thereby alleviating pain.
Facilitating Neuroplastic Changes: Through repetitive and targeted exercises, neuromuscular rehabilitation can induce neuroplastic changes in the brain, leading to improved motor control and reduced pain perception. This is key for long-term improvement in function and pain management.
Optimize Chiropractic's Integrated Approach
At Optimize Chiropractic, our approach to neck pain management is rooted in a deep understanding of the body's intricate systems and how they interconnect to affect health and well-being. We believe in a comprehensive strategy that not only targets the symptoms but also addresses the underlying causes of neck pain. This belief is why we integrate QSM3 Chiropractic, proprioceptive rehabilitation, and neuromuscular rehabilitation into our treatment plans. Each of these modalities offers unique benefits that, when combined, provide a synergistic effect to enhance the body's natural healing processes, improve functional movement, and decrease pain.
QSM3 Chiropractic focuses on reducing mechanical stress and improving nervous system function by correcting spinal alignment. This foundational treatment sets the stage for the body to use its energy more efficiently, not just for movement control but for overall health. Proprioceptive rehabilitation then builds on this by enhancing the body's sensory feedback system, leading to improved motor control and increased stability. These improvements are crucial for correcting faulty movement patterns that contribute to pain and dysfunction. Finally, neuromuscular rehabilitation addresses muscle imbalances and tension, further refining the body's ability to move smoothly and without pain while inducing beneficial neuroplastic changes for long-term health.
This integrated approach is grounded in the latest scientific research and our clinical experience. It reflects our commitment to providing treatments that are not only effective in the short term but also promote lasting health and prevent future episodes of neck pain. By focusing on the body as an interconnected system, we help our patients achieve optimal health and an improved quality of life, making this approach at Optimize Chiropractic not just a treatment strategy but a pathway to better health.
As always I hope you enjoyed this blog and feel free to reach out to me at Drcoffman@optimizecolumbus.com with any questions. If you’re someone with neck pain and losing for a solution click below to schedule a complimentary consultation with us to see if we can help you.