We talked about the top two vertebrae, C1 (Atlas) and C2 (Axis), in the last two columns. The next two vertebrae moving down your spine are C3 and C4. (Still not explosive, but can cause pain nonetheless.)
When the C3 or C4 nerve is damaged it can cause pain in the occiput, upper neck or temporal areas.
Specifically:
C3:
- controls neck muscles that bend the head forward
- carries sensory information from the side of the face and the back of the head
- carries signals from the brain to coordinate neck movements
C4:
- controls upward shoulder motion
- contributes to neck rotation
- helps with diaphragm function
- carries sensory information from parts of the neck, shoulder and upper arm
In this practice, I also view C3 and C4 as the start zone for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease – particularly if there is a history of trauma, like a car accident. With that said, any of the classic symptoms of neck pain, stiffness, headache, dizziness, numbness and tingling are all on the table.
Remember, take a few minutes to look up everyday- it’s the one thing we all do the least. You might see something exciting!
Make a commitment to your health today.
Stay well adjusted,
Dr. Dan Kammer