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Neck Pain – Is it a Heart Attack?

neck pain and heart attacksNeck pain, shoulder pain, chest pain… is it a heart attack? Those who have suffered a myocardial infarction (MI) often describe a range of sensations that include these kinds of pain, along with general discomfort and a tightness, pressure, heaviness, or even a crushing sensation in the middle of the chest. So how can you tell if it’s a heart attack, neck pain from a pinched nerve, muscle strain from using your smartphone too frequently, or simply indigestion? Can neck pain be an early warning sign of a heart attack even months in advance of one occurring? Read more

Neck Surgery for a Degenerative Spine Condition – What You Can Do To Avoid It

Neck surgeryNeck surgery can be performed to treat debilitating pain caused by degeneration in the cervical area of the spine, but this option is recommended only for a minority of patients and, even then, often just as a last resort. Some causes of neck pain, such as normal wear and tear and the inevitable aging process, are simply unavoidable. Nevertheless, there are many things you can do to minimize your risk of developing the types of neck and back conditions that often stem from years of poor posture or body mechanics. In addition, if you are already experiencing neck pain due to an injury, strain, degenerative disc disease, or other known cause, there are a variety of conservative treatment options available that may alleviate your symptoms and delay or eliminate your need for neck surgery. Read more

Slipped Disc Symptoms – How To Cope

Slipped DiscA slipped disc, also commonly referred to as a herniated disc, can result from injury, improper lifting, or age-related wear and tear. As you grow older, the shock-absorbing discs located in between the individual vertebrae of your spine gradually lose their youthful elasticity and water content, which makes them more susceptible to tearing and rupture. A torn disc is colloquially known as a “slipped” disc, although while discs can become misshapen, they do not technically slip out of place.

While often painful, a slipped disc can also sometimes manifest without any symptoms at all. In any case, if you do experience back pain, neck pain, or weakness, numbness, or tingling in your back, arm, or leg, you could have an injured disc and you should see your physician right away to obtain a proper diagnosis. Oftentimes, when begun early, conservative treatment for a slipped disc is very successful in helping patients to cope with this sometimes debilitating condition and get on with their lives. Read more

Herniated Disc Causes – What You Can Do To Avoid Disc Damage

Herniated Disc CausesOftentimes, a herniated disc causes discomfort that stems from damage to the outer shell of one of the flexible cushions that separate the stacked vertebrae of the spine. Each intervertebral disc has a tough outer covering called an annulus fibrosus, and this outer layer surrounds a soft inner core. The top one-third of the annulus fibrosus has nerve endings, and if there is a tear in the annulus fibrosus, the nerve endings can become irritated and painful. In addition, the tissues of a torn disc can impinge  on a nearby nerve root, resulting in pain, numbness, weakness, or a pins and needles sensation in the extremities. So, you may ask, what causes a disc to tear in the first place? There are actually many factors that can lead to a herniated disc. While some causes, such as improper lifting techniques, are avoidable, others, like simple genetics, are not. Read more

Symptoms of a Herniated Disc in the Neck

Herniated disc in the neckA herniated disc in the neck is not as common as in the lower back, but it does happen. Interestingly, the causes of disc herniation in the lumbar region mirror those of the same condition in the cervical (neck) region. That is, the intervertebral discs in both regions are subjected to a great deal of wear and tear over the years. This wear and tear is exacerbated by the rigors of spinal movement and the challenge of bearing weight (of the head, in the case of the neck, and of the upper body, in the case of the lumbar spine). Another quality they share is that unless there is consistent compression of a nearby spinal nerve, a herniated disc could very well remain undetected. Read more

How to Tell if You Have a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

Pinched nerve in the neckA pinched nerve in the neck is not what it sounds like in most cases. Far more often than not, what people refer to as a “pinched nerve” in the upper back (or “cervical” region of the spine) is actually a strained muscle. The muscles in the neck region might become strained when you sleep with your head in an awkward position, or if your head turns quickly at an unusual angle. While extremely painful in some cases, the pain will usually subside after a few days, and can typically be managed using over-the-counter pain medication. However, there is another condition that actually does deserve the title, “pinched nerve,” and that can produce symptoms which are much more difficult to manage. Read more

Tips for Sleeping after Neck Surgery for a Degenerative Spine Condition

Neck surgeryOne of the most difficult aspects of the recovery period after neck surgery is sleeping. Depending on what type of procedure you underwent for your degenerative spine condition and how invasive the procedure was, you can anticipate at least a few uncomfortable nights in the immediate aftermath of a cervical operation. Fortunately, with each passing night, the discomfort should subside more and more, and comfortable sleep will once again become the norm. Meanwhile, here are a few tips to help you grab as much shut-eye as possible while you recover from neck surgery. Read more

How Cervical Fusion Could Help Relieve Your Neck Pain

Cervical FusionCervical fusion is a form of surgery that removes a damaged intervertebral disc in the neck, replaces it with a supportive cage or implant, and permanently fuses the adjacent vertebrae. This procedure halts some movement within a motion segment, usually with the goal of increasing stability and relieving neck pain.

The exact cause of pain in the cervical spine can be tricky to pinpoint, largely because the spine is so complex and has many components – vertebrae, facet joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, tendons, and muscles – all of which must work properly together to ensure optimal functioning. That said, when one or more of these components is damaged, degenerates, or for some other reason begins to function improperly, pain can often result. Read more

Recovering from Cervical Spinal Fusion – Ways to Make Your Rehabilitation Less Arduous

Cervical Spinal Fusion Cervical spinal fusion is a surgery that involves removal of a bulging or herniated disc in the neck (cervical spine), placement of a supportive cage/implant and bone graft material to replace the disc, and the fusing of adjacent vertebrae with plates, rods, and screws. To ensure success of this surgery, the recovery process can be just as important as the procedure itself, so it’s helpful to know how you can make your rehabilitation process less arduous and restore your spine to optimum health. Read more