Neck Pain/Upper Back Pain

We associate the neck pain and upper back together, because most of the muscles that are associated with the neck either attach to, or are located in, the upper back. The spinal cord runs through a space in the vertebrae to send nerve impulses to every part of the body. Between each pair of cervical vertebrae, the spinal cord sends off large bundles of nerves that run down the arms and to some degree, the upper back. This means that if your arm is hurting, it may actually be a problem in the neck! Symptoms in the arms can include numbness, tingling, cold, aching, and "pins and needles".

Problems in the neck can also contribute to headaches, muscle spasms in the shoulders and upper back, ringing in the ears, otitis media (inflammation in the middle ear, often mistaken for an ear infection in children), temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), restricted range of motion and chronic tightness in the neck and upper back.

At Birmingham Wellness Center, our clients receive a complete assessment and explanation of the different types of chiropractic services that are offered to help alleviate your pain by finding it's true source. We develop a plan specifically for each patient to assist them in recovering from their pain without drugs or surgery.

Contact us here or call us directly at 248-645-6070 for your free complimentary spinal exam.

The Causes of Neck and Upper Back Pain

Most neck pain and upper back pain is caused by a combination of factors, including injury, poor posture, chiropractic subluxations, stress, and in some instances, disc problems.

One of the most common causes of neck pain, and sometimes headaches, is poor posture. It's easy to get into bad posture habits without even realizing it - even an activity as "innocent" as reading in bed can ultimately lead to pain, headaches, and more serious problems. The basic rule is simple: keep your neck in a "neutral" position whenever possible. Don't bend or hunch your neck forward for long periods. Also, try not to sit in one position for a long time.

By far, the most common injury to the neck is a whiplash injury. Whiplash is caused by a sudden movement of the head, either backward, forward, or sideways, that results in the damage to the supporting muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues in the neck and upper back.

Subluxations in the neck and upper back area are also extremely common due to the high degree of stress associated with holding up your head, coupled with the high degree of instability in the cervical spine.

Finally, stress can be a big contributor as well. When most people become stressed, they unconsciously contract their muscles. In particular, the muscles in their back. This 'muscle guarding' is a survival response designed to guard against injury. In today's world where we are not exposed to physical danger most of the time, muscle guarding still occurs whenever we become emotionally stressed. The areas most affected are the muscles of the neck, upper back and low back.