The spinal column is made up of vertebrae or bones, and in between each vertebra is a pillow-like disc that serves as a cushion and shock absorber. Vertebral discs have a tough outer layer, and in the center is the nucleus. Wear and tear disease can cause the discs to degenerate and push the nucleus…
Neck Pain
What Causes Cervical Spine Pain?
The cervical spine refers to seven vertebrae found at the back of your neck, and these vertebrae are each named from C-1 to C-7 (“C” for “cervical”). This section at the top of the spine provides both structural support and mobility of the head and neck – and since the head weighs approximately 10 pounds,…
Tagged With: Cervical Spine Pain, Neck, Neck Pain, Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, Spine
Symptoms of Thoracic Spine Nerve Damage
The thoracic spine is located in the middle part of your spine, between the cervical spine in your neck and the lumbar spine in your lower back. It consists of 12 vertebral levels, classified as T-1 to T-12 (“T” for “thoracic”). Any injury to the thoracic spine is considered serious and may be permanent, but…
Tagged With: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, Spine, Spine Injuries, Spine injury
When Is Spine Surgery Necessary?
Deciding whether you want to get spinal surgery can be an intimidating decision. However, sometimes, it is necessary. Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae and muscles and ligaments that connect them together to form a spinal column. The spinal column is the home to your spinal cord – which sits inside it….
Filed Under: Spine Surgeries
Common Causes of Neck Pain
There’s a reason why calling someone or something a “pain in the neck” is so biting. Everyone knows how obtrusive an actual pain in the neck can be. At best, a pain in the cervical spine (neck) can limit your ability to function; at worse, it can totally incapacitate you, depending on the cause. Neck…
Filed Under: Neck Pain
Is Cracking Your Back Dangerous?
When your back is sore from sitting in the same position too long or from repeatedly bending over, it’s only natural to assume that twisting, turning and arching your back is going to release the tension and make it feel better. Indeed, when you hear that little cracking sound, your back often does feel a…
How Your Orthopedic Surgeon Can Help with Whiplash
Thanks to seatbelts and airbags, a lot of serious injuries resulting from car accidents can be avoided. Nevertheless, one injury that frequently occurs in a crash – particularly when getting rammed from behind – is whiplash, a rapid forward and backward movement of the head and neck. How do you know if you have whiplash…
Firm or Soft Pillows: What’s Best for Your Neck?
Firm or soft? It’s the pillow talk that has puzzled most sleepers for ages. Is there a right answer? And what is best for your neck? Let’s face it: all you want is a good night’s rest without waking up with a stiff neck. The problem is that when you lay down, your neck doesn’t…
Ice or Heat for Your Chronic Neck Pain
Should I use ice or heat for neck pain? This is a question commonly asked by many patients during consultations, when they need pain relief for treating pain in their neck, shoulders, or back. To be truthful, the answer is both. However, having a better understanding about each treatment is needed before trying anything for…
Filed Under: Neck Pain
How Long Do You Need to Recover From a Neck Injury?
You have probably heard the saying, “This is a pain in the neck.” Well, that saying wouldn’t hold much value if neck injuries were less painful, with short recovery times. But neck pain and neck injuries can really put a damper on your daily activities, grinding things to a halt. The neck is a complex…
Filed Under: Neck Injury
Tagged With: Back and Neck, Neck, Neck Injury, Neck Pain, Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland
