Headaches:
Much of the time the vertebrae of the upper cervical spine are intimately related to the onset of many different types of headaches. Dysfunction in the joints of the upper two vertebrae along with their articulation to the skull will cause the musculature of this area to tighten down in the back of the head and even affect various structures of the face and head. Muscles always react to joint dysfunction which will contribute to the constriction of the nerves in this area. This commonly manifests itself in the form of various types of headaches, even migraines.
TMJ:
The upper cervical area also can be very involved in TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction. The jaw and the C1 and C2 vertebrae share a lot of similar fibers and fascial connections. As stated above joint dysfunction will cause the musculature in the area to tighten down around the area, and in the upper cervical spine, this can directly affect the jaw. Jaw pain, clicking, or popping that goes along with pain in the neck or in the back of the head can be a dead giveaway that the neck is very involved in this issue.
Neck Pain & Pinching:
The joints that connect one vertebra to another up and down the spine are called the facet joints. These joints like any other joint in the body can become stuck and inflamed with abnormal movements. When these little joints become dysfunctional they can pinch and grab with neck movements, especially looking over your shoulder. The pain can be felt on the same side that you are turning towards or on the opposite side. Sometimes, pain may not be a thing that alerts you that this is happening. If when moving your head, you notice that there is a part of the range of motion that is lacking, more than likely one of these joints has become fixed and needs to be freed. If this is not corrected, the joint can continue to swell until nerves are being impinged and you may begin to experience numbness, tingling, or pain in the arms or hands. If you’re experiencing any nerve impingements it is best to see a neck pain doctor sooner rather than later.
Arm Pain, Weakness, Numbness & Tingling:
Vertebral disc are thick, fibrous cushions between each vertebra that act as shock absorbers to the spine and also help to facilitate movement and the maintenance of the spinal curve. It makes up the front part of the hole that the nerves come out of in the spine. When too much pressure (usually in the form of compression) is placed on the disc, either in one traumatic incident or a cumulation of much less intense incidents over a long period (being continuously hunched over a computer), the discs can start to protrude into these nerves. When this happens, there may also be pain, numbness, or tingling that goes into the shoulder and arm. Common pain paths are into the traps and down the back of the arm. Commonly, only a few fingers may be affected and not the whole hand. When this happens, it is important to seek neck pain treatment as quickly as possible so that muscle weakness and atrophy don’t occur.
