4 Causes of Neck Problems | Singapore Chiropractic

Neck problems…are a problem! When the neck is injured it will affect the nerves which pass to the shoulders and arms, as well as the organs and lower body. Neck problems can cause headaches, stiff muscles, migraines, vertigo, inner ear issues, tingling in the hands, stomach issues, tiredness, reduced immunity…the list goes on and on.

My neck is part of my spine?

The neck is the top part of your spine, made up of 7 bones separated by discs which allow you the flexibility you need in daily life. It starts from the base of your skull and ending between the shoulders.

How Can Upper Cervical care help with Neck Pain?

The top part of your neck, known as the Upper Cervical spine (made up of bones C1 and C2), is the MOST important part of your spine. It is where all information travels (via the spinal cord and nerves) from the brain before it passes to the rest of the body. If there is a misalignment in these bones it will put pressure on the brainstem and affect other systems in the body. 

For any cases where these causes have built up and are causing you discomfort, we are here to help at Vitality Chiropractic, Singapore’s only neck pain specialists.

What Causes Neck Pain?

Over the years, the way we move and use our necks have changed. Instead of people looking forward as hunters and gatherers we’ve started to look down more and more at phones, televisions and computer screens; both at work and in our personal lives. The increase in desk (or sedentary) jobs has led to people rolling their shoulders, slumping their posture and their neck slipping forwards. Your head is better in a neutral position, with the centre of your ear in line with the centre of your shoulder.

Did you know that for every inch your head moves forward it adds another 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms!) your neck muscles have to carry? Your head already weighs as much as a bowling ball, so that’s a lot of work for your poor neck!

Your neck is also designed to have a light curve allowing the nerves that come from the neck to pass out easily to allow the brain and body to communicate. However, when looking down at phones for extended times it reverses this curve, pinching and irritating your nerves. This causes pain and can even affect how your muscles and nerves work; this can lead to migraines, headaches and arm problems. Research has also attributed this poor curve to blood pressure problems, breathing difficulties and reduced immunity and lifespan.

How Do I Prevent Neckaches?

1. Looking down at phones

Staring down at phones over stretches the joints and muscles in the neck, they then tighten to try and correct the faulty posture, sometimes causing a spasm or misalignment of the upper neck.

Try to hold your phone higher so that your neck can stay in a natural, neutral position and still maintain its healthy curve. When your neck gets too straight or starts to bend forward it is a bad sign and can lead to symptoms in the future.

2. Sitting and hunching

Sitting for too long results in the head coming forward and the neck muscles having to work harder to hold it up. An adult head weighs a similar amount to a bowling ball, for every inch it moves forward from neutral it adds on kilos of force your neck has to deal with!

Make an effort to sit up straight and take regular break from sitting to move around.

3. Sleep position

This can lead to too much flexion in the neck, mis-aligning the bones of the upper cervical spine. If you sleep in your back try to have your head in a neutral position (such as when you walk around outside!) and if you’re a side sleeper keep he head in the centre, not leaning more left or right.

See our video ‘The best Sleep Position’ to learn more.

4. Mental stress

When mentally or emotionally stressed the shoulders react by tensing as part of our fight or flight system. Over time this happens more and more, affecting the joints, especially in the upper neck, causing misalignments.

Try to avoid stressful situations or have mechanisms to understand the problem and how to control how you react to stress in those situations.

Read about more Associated Stress Symptoms, here.

FAQs

Since 2013, Upper Cervical Chiropractor, DC. Shaan Rai helped patients achieve greater health, relocating to Singapore in 2016 and founding Vitality Chiropractic Centres. He has an impressive track record in providing relief and solutions for people who experience nerve system problems, such as headaches, migraines, dizziness, vertigo or neurological conditions at best price.

Take your life back.

For a Complimentary, no-obligation call with the Chiropractor or to book a Consultation, call +65 8438 9550 or email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com to find out if we can help you at our Chiropractic Clinic in Singapore.