Spring time is here with its very pleasant longer days. Even though it is not winter anymore, we are still going through ups and downs in temperature which is letting a lot of people suffering with colds.
We have seen many patients coughing and sneezing, and they come in because they suffer from spinal and muscle pain in the neck or upper back area.
This is an area that can create a lot of discomfort and pain due to many muscles and supporting ligaments, and many joints between the bones in the thoracic spine.
Did you know that each 12 thoracic vertebrae have two ribs attaching to it? All of the thoracic vertebrae articulate with ribs and together protect the thorax. The thoracic spine is far stronger than the neck and lumbar spine because of the stabilising effect of the rib cage.
Nevertheless, a good sneeze, particularly if twisting at the time, or a bout of bronchitis may sprain one of the joints causing severe pain with each breath. It feels like someone is stabbing you in the back with a knife. If one muscle or joint is injured or inflamed, it can create a cascade of pain and dysfunction that can leave you great discomfort.
Deep upper back pain is sometimes caused by a pinched nerve in the neck. A cervical nerve irritation can create pain between your shoulder blades, in your elbow or shoulder, or numbness in your hands.
There are many other causes of upper back pain that appear to originate from muscular irritation or other soft tissue problems. These can arise from lack of strength, poor posture, prolonged sitting at a computer, using a heavy backpack, overuse injuries (such as repetitive motion), or trauma from a car accident or sports injury.
To find out the source of your problem, your chiropractor will do a full examination of your cervical and thoracic spine when you come in with pain in the upper back.
There are many orthopaedic tests that we can perform that will help identify the source of the irritation. You might be asked to go for further examination like x–rays, CAT scan or MRI if we suspect any degenerative or other underlying condition.
Once we identify the mechanical issues that are causing your spine-related pain, we will adjust your spine to correct the misalignment and remove interference to your nerves function.
After getting adjusted, most patients experience a feeling of relief, and they report that their symptoms go away faster and that they have been sleeping and breathing better.
Basically, because it helps place your body in the position where it can heal itself, chiropractic adjustments can free your immune system up to focus on keeping you healthy, which enhances your ability to move, to breathe and perform.
It doesn’t matter if you have a recent back or neck injury or have been dealing with chronic pain, chiropractic adjustments can provide quick, noticeable relief. They can even help reduce pain and restore mobility in your ribs, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and feet.
So if you tweaked your shoulder, sprained your ribs, are dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome in a wrist, or other issues in your extremities, consider chiropractic for a non-invasive way to reduce pain and get back to full strength faster.
Adjustments can help you maintain better overall health by helping speed your recovery.
By Sandra Genest-Boudreau | Christophe O. Alves
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Sandra Genest-Boudreau is French-Canadian, who graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1990 before coming to the Algarve in 2002. She is passionate about adjusting all her patients, particularly children. Christophe Alves graduated from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (AECC) UK, and has a special interest in Sport Chiropractic. Algarve Quiroprática clinic: EN125 in Pêra | 282 312 853 | 969 397 375
When your spine is flexible and adaptable, it doesn’t matter what your biological age is, your body will feel stronger and younger. That’s the best way to keep your vitality for years to come and enjoy every season.
