Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
“My neck feels tight and tired and I always seem to have a headache. Can you help me?”
Answer sponsored by:
Dr. D. Jean Gibson M.S., D.C.
The Gibson Center 93 West Colt Square, Suite 3 Fayetteville, AR 72703 479-587-0227 www.thegibsoncenter.com
Answer:
Most definitely! First of all, I would have to perform a thorough examination to make a diagnosis, but one of the most common causes is the loss of the normal curve in your neck. Your neck was created with a built-in shock absorber called a curve or lordosis. This curve acts like a spring and absorbs the shock of your head resting on your neck. When your neck loses its curve, the ligaments supporting your neck become stretched and lose their ability to maintain the curve. Being involved in a car accident, chronic poor posture, and uncorrected vertebral subluxations (misalignments) are common causes of losing the normal cervical curve. If this abnormal curvature is not corrected, eventually it will lead to degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis.
Once your neck has lost its curve, your neck and shoulder muscles will compensate and have to work harder to try and hold your head up. Unfortunately, your muscles were not created for this and will fatigue easily. At the point of fatigue, you will feel aching or burning. Overtime, you can develop muscle spasms or trigger points in your muscles which can cause more pain. Your joints will become stiff and you will lose normal flexibility. As time goes on, your neck will become weaker and weaker and tighter and tighter. It becomes a vicious cycle. As your chiropractor, I can help break this cycle. I will give you specific exercises/stretches to help strengthen your neck in the proper alignment, specific adjustments ( hands on, or instrument) to help restore normal motion, and trigger point therapy to reduce your muscle tightness and spasms. I can also use cold laser therapy to reduce the pain and inflammation. Nothing can help cure an achy neck or headache better than Chiropractic care. Call 479-5870227 to make an appointment and go to www.TheGibsonCenter. com to read our testimonials. Dr. Gibson has been recognized by The American Institute of Chiropractors as one of the 10 Best Chiropractors in Arkansas for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.