Posts Tagged neck pain
Cervical Sprain and Cervical Strain: Review by KBNI Houston, Kingwood, Katy, the Woodlands, Spring, Sugarland, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont
Posted by admin in baytown, beaumont, cervical sprain, cervical strain, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractor near me, Clear Lake, conroe, Galleria, Galveston, houston, katy, Kingwood, Memorial City, Missouri City, neck pain, physical therapy, Port Arthur, range of motion, Sealy, spinal injury, Spring, sugarland, Texas City, Tomball, woodlands on April 21, 2016
Cervical Sprain and Cervical Strain
cervical sprain, cervical strain, neck pain, range of motion, physical therapy, chiropractic, spinal, injury
A high quality of life is dependent on many things, one of which is the pain-free operation of our joints over a normal range of motion. When a cervical sprain or strain occurs, however, patients typically experience headaches, neck pain that grows worse over time, and moderate-to-severe muscle tension in the neck. All of these symptoms reduce mobility and range of motion, things that can substantially lower one’s quality of life given how frequently we need to move our necks and rotate our heads.
cervical sprain, cervical strain, neck pain, range of motion, physical therapy, chiropractic, spinal, injury
There is a difference between cervical sprain and cervical strain. Cervical sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament, which is a band of connective tissue which connects one bone to another. A cervical strain is an injury to a muscle and/or a tendon, which is a fibrous cord of tissue which attaches muscles to a bone.
cervical sprain, cervical strain, neck pain, range of motion, physical therapy, chiropractic, spinal, injury
Most commonly, cervical sprains and / or strains occur during an acceleration-deceleration injury (usually called whiplash, as these injuries frequently occur as a result of an automobile accident). Portions of the neck may be temporarily extended beyond their normal range of motion and patients experience inflammation along the spinal column and corresponding headaches. Damage to the spinal discs (the shock-absorbing pads between our vertebrae) may also occur, placing nearby spinal nerves at risk for compression. If the spinal discs become herniated (slipped, or ruptured) as a result of the accident, patients may find it necessary to implement a long-term physical therapy regimen or chiropractic treatment in order to preserve mobility.
cervical sprain, cervical strain, neck pain, range of motion, physical therapy, chiropractic, spinal, injury
Generally, cervical sprain or cervical strain is treatable in the same ways that common muscle strains, sprains, and pulls are: rest, hydration, and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen all help to mediate acute pain levels and restore some degree of the patient’s prior mobility. If the whiplash injury was severe or if the patient’s range of motion has declined considerably (along with acute neck pain), doctors will likely advocate for imaging exams to determine the extent of the damage within the neck. X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help doctors examine the soft tissues in the neck (spinal nerves, muscles, ligaments, spinal discs) to narrow the possible root causes for patients’ neck pain.
When it comes to preserving-long-term mobility, most physicians will recommend physical therapy or chiropractic therapy that emphasizes core strength training. Strong muscles along the spinal column, throughout the torso, and including the shoulders and neck will allow these muscles to assist in managing the weight of the skull. Strong muscles will relieve pressure from spinal discs, lowering the incidence of compressed spinal nerves and ultimately lowering a patient’s pain levels. Physical therapy or chiropractic therapy will also help maintain a patient’s general quality of life as they age by building flexibility and maintaining optimal muscle mass. Finally, physical therapy or chiropractic treatment will allow patients the best chance at re-gaining a relatively pain-free range of motion.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX takes care of patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Pearland, Galleria, Beaumont, Baytown, Clear Lake, Port Arthur, Katy, the Woodlands, Spring, Memorial City, Humble, Kingwood, Conroe, Tomball, Missouri City, Texas City, and Texas Medical Center (TMC)
Patients suffering from a low back pain or neck pain, or who have been told they may require a low back surgery or neck sugery, can
contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute at
……. 281-713-6296
……. Or visit www.SpineHealth.com to schedule an appointment online
……. KBNI VIDEO on Back and Neck Pain Treatment : Don’t Live in Fear and Pain
Keywords: cervical sprain, cervical strain, neck pain, range of motion, physical therapy, chiropractic, spinal, injury, Houston, Kingwood, Katy, the Woodlands, Spring, Sugarland, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont
Cervical Disc Replacement, Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Memorial City, Texas
Posted by admin in artificial disc, baytown, beaumont, cervical disc replacement, cervical fusion, cervical laminectomy, cervical spine, cervical stenosis, disc degeneration, fusion, herniated disc, herniated disc surgery, houston, katy, neck pain, pain, sugarland, woodlands on September 27, 2014
CERVICAL DISC REPLACEMENT
cervical disc, spinal disc, pain levels, neck pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble
The spinal discs (shock-absorbing pads between our vertebrae) help us manage the shocks and stresses of daily movement. Our spines are heavily involved in most kinds of motion (sitting, standing, bending, lifting, twisting, etc.). As such, the facet joints that link our vertebrae as well as the spinal discs between them need to be extremely durable and operate with low back and neck pain levels during normal motion. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Spinal structural deformities, trauma, heavy lifting, and inactivity can all play their part in compromising parts of the spinal column. The natural aging process compounds these factors due to the fact that spinal discs naturally degenerate over time. Spinal and cervical discs become thinner, harder, and less pliable as we age, and as a result they are far less capable of managing the stresses of daily life. We are also more likely to experience back and neck pain as a result of these changes.
All of these problems may create problems in the cervical discs in our necks. Since the neck is routinely engaged in movement, compromised cervical discs can severely affect mobility by causing pain during routine motion. Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies patients can use to mediate pain levels. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help mediate pain levels while restoring enough mobility for patients to explore other treatment options. Physical therapy focuses on developing muscles along the spinal column and surrounding the neck to offer support to cervical discs and relieve some of the weight they would otherwise have to bear during routine movement.
For more serious cases, such as severe structural deformity, trauma, or extreme neck pain not resolved by more conservative treatments, cervical disc replacement or cervical fusion may be the best option, depending upon the specific findings, recommendations of the surgeon, and desires of the patient. Since this surgery may be both serious and financially costly, physicians typically do not recommend it unless the compromised cervical disc is threatening other functions in the body (causing a loss of sensation, impinging on nearby spinal nerves, causing muscle weakness, etc.). Bone spurs and compromised cervical discs are the most common causes and physicians operate primarily to maintain the patient’s long-term health, as opposed to simply seeking to reduce pain levels. Of course, indications for surgery may vary from patient to patient.
Recovery for cervical disc replacement, like many types of spinal surgery, can be brief to more prolonged . Rest, a healthy diet, and regimens of physical therapy are necessary to re-develop damaged muscles and relieve some of the pressure on cervical discs. Your physician will likely order several checkups to maintain a sense of your progress and to readjust your course of treatment as needed.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
Keywords: cervical disc, spinal disc, pain levels, neck pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Lower Back Pain, Neck Pain and Disc Myths by by KBNI Houston, Katy, Spring, Kingwood, Conroe, Woodlands, Sugarland, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center TMC
Posted by admin in back pain, baytown, beaumont, disc degeneration, exercise, herniated disc, holistic, houston, katy, low back pain, lumbar, neck pain, pain, stretching, sugarland, woodlands on September 10, 2014
Lower Back Pain, Neck Pain and Disc Myths, Houston
lower back pain, neck pain, disc, Houston
Lower back pain and neck pain are incredibly common afflictions in the modern workplace, but many members of the public entertain harmful myths about how to treat them. For example, a large portion of the public believes that rest is the most effective way to treat chronic lower back pain or neck pain. While rest is definitely a component of the solution, long periods of sedentary activity can actually lengthen recovery time and reduce long-term mobility. Most mild to moderate lower back pain and neck pain is more effectively mediated by exercise.
lower back pain, neck pain, disc, Houston
Part of the rest myth may stem from yet another myth perpetuated about the spine: that it is weak or somehow fragile. In truth, the spine is an incredibly strong, durable part of the body that hosts a complicated system of muscles, ligaments, bones, and spinal disc (the shock-absorbing pads between our vertebrae). Rather than be compromised by exercise, the spine thrives on it. We need regular cardiovascular exercise, stretching, and strength conditioning in order to optimally maintain our spinal column as we age, given that we undergo a number of natural degenerative processes as we grow older. The cartilage on the ends of our facet joints (the joints that link our vertebrae and allow for the articulation of the spinal column) naturally degrades in quality, and this process is accelerated by extra weight and lack of exercise. Our spinal disc become thinner, harder, drier, and less capable of bearing stress during our routine movements. Both of these changes contribute to an increased incidence of compressed spinal nerves, which can cause severe lower back pain and compromise mobility.
lower back pain, neck pain, disc, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Memorial City, Sugarland, Texas Medical Center, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas, TX, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Due to these natural degenerative processes, many people may feel that a decline in their mobility is inevitable and that severe lower back pain and neck pain must correlate with severe structural damage in the spinal column. Fortunately, chronic lower back pain and neck pain most often does not necessarily mean that a patient’s spine is severely damaged. Some patients may have relatively little damage within the spinal column but still suffer from debilitating pain because of higher sensitivity to pressure placed on the spinal nerve roots. For example, if the tough exterior of a spinal disc wears to the point where a bit of the soft inner material of the disc protrudes through a hole in the exterior (hernia), patients will have a wide variety of responses based on individual pain tolerance as well as sensitivity of the spinal nerves themselves. Seek a full physical examination from a medical profession to confirm the source of your back pain and begin an effective course of treatment.
Physicians at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI), located in Houston, TX, specialize in treating patients with lower back pain and neck pain. The majority of patients can be treated, and achieve significant improvement in their lower back pain and neck pain, without the need of an operation. When surgery on the disc or spine is needed, neurosurgeons at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute offer the most current and advanced techniques in minimally invasive spine surgery.
lower back pain, neck pain, disc, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Memorial City, Sugarland, Texas Medical Center, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas, TX, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
Patients suffering from neck pain or lower back pain, or who have been told they may require a spine surgery, can contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute at
……. 281-713-6296
……. Or visit www.SpineHealth.com to schedule an appointment online
……. KBNI VIDEO on Back and Neck Pain Treatment : Don’t Live in Fear and Pain
Keywords: lower back pain, neck pain, disc, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Memorial City, Sugarland, Texas Medical Center, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas, TX, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Healthy Diets for Minimizing Low Back Pain and Neck Pain, from KBNI Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Memorial City, Pearland, Katy, Beaumont, Humble, Kingwood, Texas Medical Center, TMC
Posted by admin in healthy diet, low back pain, neck pain, nutritional supplements on May 21, 2014
Contact Us for Help
low back pain, neck pain, proper nutrition, hydration, spinal column, katy, kingwood, humble, memorial city, memorial city, sugarland, woodlands, Texas Medical Center, TMC
Normally, is not the first thing patients think about when considering how to address their low back pain or neck pain. Yet, proper nutrition can have profoundly positive effects on a patient’s lifestyle, including reducing their overall neck and back pain levels. While anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers help to temporarily reduce a patient’s chronic back pain, these medications actually do not address the underlying causes of the pain, some of which may be related to the patient’s diet.
First, proper hydration is crucial in preventing muscle spasms and cramping. Many people do not consume enough water (typically an ounce per pound of body weight, varying according to physical activity) in the course of their daily routines. Severe cramping or muscle spasms can have adverse effects on the spinal column, causing compression in the spinal nerves that in turn produces severe pain. Proper hydration also helps maintain the cartilage between the spinal column’s joints—a dehydrated joint degrades more quickly as a result of the load-bearing stress of daily movement.
Protein—particularly from lean meats and fish—will help maintain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the spinal column. Along with physical therapy and core strengthening exercises, protein is a key component in ensuring the muscles of the spinal column can properly assist the spinal joints in load-bearing activities. Healthy fats from coconuts, beef, and fish will help maintain the cartilage in the spinal column’s joints, as well as the joints in other regions of the body. This significantly lowers the chances that a joint will degrade to the point of compressing nearby spinal nerves.
low back pain, neck pain, proper nutrition, hydration, spinal column, katy, kingwood, humble, memorial city, memorial city, sugarland, woodlands, Texas Medical Center, TMC
Calcium, vitamin D, and many trace nutrients will help maintain proper bone density. This is particularly important in older patients, as osteoporosis (low bone density) can cause weak regions in the bones. When subjected to the normal stresses of daily movement, spinal or hip fractures can lead to dangerous falls in elderly patients. Proper nutrition and nutritional supplements reduces incidence of spinal and hip fractures, in addition to keeping bone density at near-optimal levels.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute in Houston, TX, believes that proper nutrition and a healthy diet is important for preventing low back pain and neck pain, but additionally, if one already has these conditions, it will help to improve healing and reduce the pain. Proper nutritional counseling may be very important for the healing process. The KBNI treats patients, from the Houston TX area and surrounding areas including Sugarland, Woodlands, Memorial City, Pearland, Katy, Beaumont, Humble, Kingwood, and the Texas Medical Center (TMC). Any patients suffering from low back pain or neck pain, in Houston or other areas of the county, are welcome to call for an office appointment. They may also schedule online at www.spinehealth.com
Video for Kraus Back and Neck Instiute and Low Back Pain / Neck Pain
Keywords: low back pain, neck pain, proper nutrition, hydration, spinal column, katy, kingwood, humble, memorial city, memorial city, sugarland, woodlands, Texas Medical Center, TMC
Reducing Neck Pain…… Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Spring, Kingwood, Humble, Memorial City, Galleria…. 281-713-6296
Posted by admin in cervical, neck pain, physical therapy, stretching on May 15, 2014
Contact Us for Help
Reducing Neck Pain
neck pain, stretching, physical therapy, muscle tension, spinal column, Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Spring, Kingwood, Humble, Memorial City, Galleria
Along with low back pain, neck pain is one of the most prolific afflictions of the modern workplace. Millions of workers across the globe work in positions that are mainly sedentary, many of which requiring long hours in the sitting position. This translates into increased stress on the cervical vertebrae (upper spine) and the intervertebral discs (shock-absorbing pads between each vertebra), as well as elevated levels of muscle tension in the upper spinal column. As the duration of muscle tension increases, the muscles themselves are deprived of blood and oxygen. They can eventually begin to spasm, which leads to sharp pain and a chance of compressing spinal nerves that run through the vertebrae.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute located in Houston, TX, has vast experience treating patients with neck pain. Conveniently located with offices through the Houston area, patients are seen from Katy, Galleria, Memorial City, Sugar Land, Pearland, Inner Loop, the Woodlands, Kingwood, Humble, Splendora, Conroe and Magnolia. For those patients traveling from Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, or other cities across the United States, travel accommodations can be arranged.
Fortunately, due to most incidence of neck pain being the result of sedentary work, there are many ways in which to reduce most patients’ pain levels. First, patients are advised to be conscious of their daily activity. If you find yourself staring at your computer monitor or desk for extended periods of time, give your body frequent breaks. Take five to ten minutes of every hour and get up, walk around, and rotate the neck and shoulder blades. Light aerobic activity and muscle movement will increase blood circulation, bringing nutrition and oxygen to your muscles. This will help prevent cramping and muscle spasms in addition to reducing neck pain.
Other common neck strengthening exercises include slow, deliberate stretches, head rotations / neck rolls, and shoulder shrugs. This will help develop the network of supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the upper spinal column. Some patients, however, may suffer from more than simple hypomobility (low mobility). If a regimen of physical therapy does not significantly improve a patient’s range of motion and decrease pain levels, a structural deformity, disease, or spinal fracture may be the cause. Physicians typically employ imaging exams—CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and X-rays—to determine whether structural problems are the problem. Neck surgery may be necessary, in addition to a lengthy post-operative period of physical therapy and rest.
neck pain, stretching, physical therapy, muscle tension, spinal column, Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Spring, Kingwood, Humble, Memorial City, Galleria
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute sees patients who have neck pain, arm pain, and other disorders of the spine. Patients do not need any imaging studies or other tests. Appropriate testing can be ordered after patients are evaluated. Most patients suffering from neck pain can be treated successfully without the need for surgery.
Keywords: neck pain, physical therapy, muscle tension, spinal column, Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Spring, Kingwood, Humble, Memorial City, Galleria,
Core Strengthening Exercises help Low Back Pain: Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Galleria, Memorial City, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, 281-713-6296
Posted by admin in back injury prevention, core strengthening exercise, low back pain, neck pain on May 15, 2014
Contact Us for Help
Core Strengthening Exercises help Low Back Pain
low back pain, neck pain, core strengthening exercises, physical therapy, houston, austin, dallas, fort worth, san antonio
Neck pain and low back pain are some of the most common maladies of modern workers. Due to the sedentary nature of most office work, muscles in the torso can atrophy to the point where they no longer effectively help the spinal column in bearing most of the body’s weight. This in turn places more stress on the spinal column, which can accelerate the degeneration of the intervertebral discs (shock-absorbing pads that lie in between each vertebra).
Neurosurgeon experts Dr. Kraus and Dr. Oishi, at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute in Houston, TX, have found over the years of practice in treating many thousands of patients, that most patients will improve their neck pain and low back pain without the need of an operation. Core strengthening exercises are part of an entire program of treatment which will help patients suffering from neck pain or low back pain. The Kraus Back and Neck Institute treats patients from the Houston and surrounding areas, including the Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Galleria, Memorial City, as well as other cities in Texas including Austin, Dallas Fort Worth and San Antonio.
The first line of defense against back pain—even when physicians become involved—is often core strengthening exercises. Developing muscles in the abdomen and around the spinal column will allow natural bodyweight and the stress of movement to be more evenly distributed. This will decrease wear on the spinal joints and discs. Licensed medical professionals may prescribe a regimen of physical therapy designed to reach this goal. Imaging tests, such as CT scans, X-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging, are also options to determine if the problem is related to inactivity (hypomobility) or if the problem is tied to an underlying structural deformity, such as scoliosis or spinal fracture.
low back pain, neck pain, core strengthening exercises, physical therapy, houston, austin, dallas, fort worth, san antonio
After an accurate diagnosis has been made, it is crucial that patients continue to perform their physical therapy / physical medicine regimens to their requisite frequency and duration. Patients who complete a physical therapy program—and who even afterward continue in maintaining core strength—report demonstrably lower levels of pain, as well as fewer spinal injuries. Proper weight management, a healthy diet, and nutritional supplements will also help greatly during a core strengthening physical therapy regimen. Pain relief or improvement will not be immediate, but proper core strengthening exercises conducted on a consistent basis will have a long term effect on improving low back pain and neck pain.
As for the core strengthening exercises themselves, physical therapy routines may be specially crafted for patients based on where in the spinal column the patient’s pain is originating. Mainstays include exercise balls, light aerobics, and stretching, as well as traditional core strengthening exercises like yoga and Tai-Chi. Emphasis is normally placed on flexibility, strength, prolonging mobility, and minimizing pain. Aerobic activity helps stimulate muscles, flooding the torso with blood and oxygen, while light weight training builds resistance and load-bearing capabilities.
For More Information, please contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute, or visit online at www.SpineHealth.com .
Keywords: low back pain, neck pain, core strengthening exercises, physical therapy, spinal column, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Galleria, Memorial City, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio
Spinal Acupuncture (Houston, Woodlands, Sugarland, Katy, Humble, Kingwood)
Posted by admin in acupuncture, back pain, neck pain, sciatica on May 3, 2014
Contact Us for Help
Spinal Acupuncture
acupuncture houston low back pain neck pain, sciatica, katy, woodlands, river oaks, memorial city
While spinal acupuncture is not a typical option for treating neck and back pain, there are many patients who will testify to its beneficial effects. While the end results can vary widely depending on the severity of the patient’s back pain, Western physicians generally agree that spinal acupuncture is capable of stimulating a patient’s central nervous system. Patients may experience low back pain, neck pain, herniated dics, spinal stenosis, as well as sciatica. They may have suffered injury to the spine. A series of FDA-approved needles—different gauges are used at the physician’s discretion—are inserted to varying depths and at varying locations depending on the patient’s condition. The needles are extremely thin, usually around twenty times thinner than most hypodermic needles used in typical procedures. Many patients may not consider spinal acupuncture due to a fear of these needles, but acupuncture needles are also solid, which means that they do not remove tissue, whereas a hypodermic needle does. A thin, solid acupuncture needle, then, typically causes less pain than a hypodermic needle of equivalent size.
At the Kraus Back and Neck Institute, Dr. Kraus and Dr. Oishi are extremely experienced at treating spinal injuries with conservative as well as surgical measures. There is a significant role for many types of conservative treatments, including the role of acupuncture in the treatment of spinal disorders and pain. The Kraus Back and Neck Institute treats patients from Houston and the surrounding areas, including Tomball, Katy, Memorial City, Spring, the Woodlands, Humble, Atascocita, Conroe, Kingwood, Galleria, the inner loop area, River Oaks, Sugar Land, Pearland, Galveston, Beaumont and Port Arthur, and other cities in Texas including Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth and San Antonio.
Spinal acupuncture patients most often report tingling sensations around the spine, an increase in sensation that can be the result of increased blood flow. This blood flow can offer relief for patients diagnosed with hypomobility (low mobility) of the spinal joints, as it brings oxygen and nutrition to the affected areas, especially when employed in conjunction with a regimen of physical therapy. It should also be noted that spinal acupuncture seems to be at least partially dependent on patient psychology—meaning that its effectiveness may be increased (or decreased) by the way the patient chooses to engage mentally with the treatment.
In some medical circles, acupuncture is also thought to stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the body’s naturally manufactured means of reducing pain. Though it may be tempting for patients to rely solely on the endorphins released during acupuncture sessions, other medical consultation is strongly advised. A regimen of physical therapy, healthy dieting, and proper weight management can all do their part in reducing low back pain over the long term.
For more information about conservative care of the spine, for the treatment of low back pain, neck pain, herniated disc in the low back or neck, sciatics, degenerative disc disease as well as spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute, in Houston TX. Call 281-713-6296 to schedule an appointment.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute treats patients from Houston and the surrounding areas of the Woodlands, Spring, Kingwood, Sugarland and Humble. They also treat patients from Austin, Dallas, Ft Worth and San Antonio, among other cities in Texas. They see patients who have not had any imaging studies, and will order the appropriate testing.
Keywords: spinal acupuncture, acupuncture, hypodermic needle, low back pain, physical therapy, sciatica, low back pain, neck pain, Houston, Woodlands, Tomball, Katy, Memorial City, River Oaks
Cervical Vertebrae
Contact Us for Help
Cervical Vertebrae
cervical vertebrae
The cervical vertebrae (C1-C7) are the first seven vertebrae connecting the base of the skull to the rest of the spine. Like the rest of the spine, between each cervical vertebra there is a shock-absorbing pad called a disk. These disks, along with the structures of the cervical vertebrae, allow the human neck to be a highly mobile region of the body.
Structurally, the first two cervical vertebrae (C1-C2, or the atlas and axis, respectively) are substantially different due to their role in supporting the weight of the human skull. As is the case with the thicker, stronger lumbar vertebrae at the base of the spine, cervical vertebrae are specialized to fulfill their function of granting people painless, continuous mobility of the neck and upper spine. Cervical vertebrae are further supported by a network of tendons, muscles, and ligaments which all work in tandem to provide additional support.
Unfortunately, neck pain is one of the most common causes for people to miss work. Long hours of stationary positioning (typical in office work) can cause chronic tension and deprive neck muscles of oxygen. This in turn can cause spasms, which can compress nerves that run through the spinal canal. Since the neck is so highly mobile and painless operation is a crucial component of quality of life, patients are advised to take measures to reduce the incidence of neck pain. Regular exercise—even simply pausing to roll the neck and shoulders once an hour—can restore oxygen and nutrition to neck muscles. Light aerobic activity is also recommended for 5-10 minutes per hour of stationary work.
Should neck pain become chronic, surgical procedures may be prescribed. Patients should be especially mindful of neck pain that shoots down into the arms or legs, as this may indicate nerve damage. Be certain to obtain thorough medical consultation, however, given that surgery on highly mobile regions of the body can have negative long-term effects. Healthy dieting, nutritional supplements, and regular installments of physical therapy can help aid patient recovery during post-operative care. Several post-operative checkups may also be necessary to monitor any structural changes within the cervical spine.
Subscribe to the KBNI RSS Feed
