Head and Neck

In the cervical spine there are 7 vertebrae, forming a natural forward curve. The vertebral bodies are joined by the inter-vertebral discs which have a tough outer rim of cartilage and a jelly-like centre. The discs act as shock absorbers. The spinal nerves exit from the spinal cord through openings (foramina) between the vertebrae, and supply the skin and muscles of the shoulders, arms and hands.

Having body stress stored in the neck structures may cause pain and stiffness and an inability to fully turn the head. As the lower neck supplies the nerves to the arms, there may be pain or numbness in the shoulder, arm or hand. Muscles may be weakened, resulting in difficulty in grasping objects. The tension in the neck may cause headaches or pain in the face or jaw. There may be sensations of dizziness or nausea. The pressure may irritate nerve pathways which connect with the eyes, nose and mouth and this could adversely affect vision and the senses of smell and taste.

Another effect may be a burning, dry mouth or excess saliva. Body stress in the neck area may also have an impact on nerve connections to internal organs, such as the heart, lungs and digestive system, undermining normal function.

The Causes of body Stress in the Neck

Jarring or jerking the neck as in a fall or a whiplash in a car accident; or stress may be slow and cumulative, eg. hunching over work, or computer; reading with the head tilted downwards for lengthy periods; twisting the neck as in reversing a car. Certain exercises may cause neck stress, neck rolls, head and shoulder stands; a back wash at the hairdresser may induce tension in the neck.

Emotions like intense anger, anxiety or shock, which cause a person to hunch the shoulders and tighten the neck muscles. A state of ongoing depression will also bring about postural distortions. In addition, the physical discomfort resulting from the body stress will reinforce the negative emotions and lead to a vicious circle.

Exposure to harmful chemicals may severely irritate the nervous system and cause the neck muscles to tighten, e.g. Chemicals which we inhale, such as car fumes and insecticides; substances which we absorb through the skin, such as cleaning materials and certain cosmetics. Some people, react adversely to certain foods and to preservatives and colourants. Very often an infection, such as the flu or cold virus, will result in neck stress.

The Effects of Stress in the Neck

There are many possible effects, including the inability to freely rotate the neck, headaches, lethargy, dizziness, nausea, pain/tingling/numbness in the face or arms or hands. There may be effects such as a burning tongue, or increased/decreased saliva production.