The master control network for your body is the nervous system. The nervous system directs virtually every function and action, from monitoring your life needs, to responding to threats on your health. Each system, from your digestive and immune systems, to your heart and blood vessels, is directed through nerve impulses originating in your brain or spinal cord that travel through its protective bony structure known as the spinal column. The neck region is the most vulnerable region of the spine to injury. So vulnerable in fact, even death can be brought on by significant trauma to the neck. When the damage is not fatal, the consequences can still be severe, such as when paralysis strikes.

Most people will not encounter these severe injuries; however sprains of the delicate ligaments with subluxation (misalignment) do commonly occur. Despite the injury being smaller, the neck location makes the impact more profound. Functions throughout the body can be impaired when the nerves in the upper region of the neck are compromised. Within chiropractic, there are specialists who focus their entire care on the uppermost two vertebrae of the spine.

Because every nerve passes through the neck, if irritation or compression is present, virtually any system of the body can be affected. The point being is that a neck disorder will not necessarily just cause neck pain or headache. Dizziness, digestive problems, fatigue, high blood pressure and generally reduced quality of life are some of the symptoms patients commonly experience.