Neck problems

Neck problems are a series of conditions involving changes to the bones, discs, and joints of the neck. Including the degeneration of discs and cartilage, spurs or abnormal growths called as osteophytes may form on the bones in the neck. These abnormal growths can cause narrowing of the interior of the spinal column or the foramen where spinal nerves exit, a related condition called as cervical spinal stenosis.

Neck problems not only refer to the neck pain or stiffness, headache that may originate in the neck, pain in the shoulder or arms, grinding noise or sensation when the neck is turned. It also includes the degeneration changes affect vertebral artery and cervical spinal cord, that will induce a lot of serious problems. Such as vertebrobasilar insufficiency and cervical myelopathy.

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) is a posterior circulation transient ischemic attack (TIA) caused by intermittent vertebral artery occlusion that is induced by a head rotation or extension, also may result from large vessel atherosclerotic disease, dissection, and subclavian steal phenomenon. It is also called as  Cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type (CSA). Symptoms: Loss of vision in part or all of both eyes, double vision, vertigo (spinning sensation), nausea and vomiting, slurred speech, loss of coordination, dizziness or confusion, trouble swallowing, bilateral limbs weakness, some progress to cerebral ischemia or stroke with permanent neurologic lesion.

If neck problem results in pressure on the spinal cord (cervical stenosis), it can cause compressive lesions on the spinal cord, a condition called cervical myelopathy. Symptoms of that include: tingling, numbness, and/or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet; lack of coordination and difficulty walking; abnormal reflexes; muscle spasms; loss of control over bladder and bowel (incontinence).

Sympathetic symptoms associated with cervical disorders, such as vertigo, headache, dizziness, palpitation, etc., are common clinical disorders bewildering both clinicians and patients. As early as in 1926, Barre and Lieou noticed that pathological changes of cervical vertebra may stimulate sympathetic nerve fibers and play a role in modifying the blood volume of vertebral artery.  Although the exact mechanism of these symptoms is still unknown, vertebral artery stimulation caused by osteophytes of the Luschka joint is considered to be a potential factor contributing to cervical vertigo.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is believed that the degeneration changes of the neck are gradually appearing. Because of the nature healing ability of our body, the degeneration changes only make trouble when our body feels weak or loses balance. Therefore, TCM use acupuncture and herbal medicine to nourish our body, boost up general energy, improve the circulation around affected area in the neck, to enhance the natural healing ability of our own, to treat neck problems. By stimulating specific acupoints, acupuncture treatment can regulate the Sympathetic Nervous System ,  rebalence sympathetic responses. This reduces abnormal nerve firing and improves blood flow to affected areas.

For more information, please come to Frinton Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine clinic to have a consultation.