Today, neck pain is more common. One in five people report having neck pain. Depending on the reason, it may continue for a few days or several years. Osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, ruptured discs, pinched nerves, physical and emotional stress and strain, bad posture, tumors, and other medical problems are examples of common causes.
What is neck pain?
Discomfort in or around the cervical spine, which is located beneath your head, is referred to as neck pain. Neck pain is a frequent sign of a variety of ailments and accidents. You may experience radicular or axial neck discomfort, both of which are mostly felt in the neck (pain shoots into other areas such as the shoulders or arms). It can be either acute—lasting only a few days—or chronic—lasting for weeks or even years.
If you don’t get treatment for neck discomfort, it might affect your everyday life and lower your quality of life.
Who is more likely to be affected by neck pain?
Pain in the neck is pretty typical. As you get older, women and men are most likely to experience it. The risk of developing neck pain increases with age. Since neck pain is so common in today’s society, there are no known causes for who will be afflicted.
Symptoms of neck pain?
The degree and length of neck pain symptoms can vary. Neck pain frequently occurs suddenly and lasts only a few days or weeks. Other times, it could develop a chronic nature. Your neck pain could be mild and barely affect your everyday activities or it could be severe and leave you disabled.
Neck pain symptoms can include:
Numbness: Your head, trunk, shoulder, and arms could get affected by your neck pain. You can have tingling, numbness, or weakness in one or both of your arms or hands if a nerve is being compressed by your neck pain. A pinched nerve in the neck can cause neck discomfort that radiates down the arm and may feel burning or acute. If you encounter this symptom, consult a doctor.
Stiff Neck: Neck pain frequently makes patients feel as though their neck is “tight” or “stuck,” and it can occasionally result in a reduction in range of motion.
Headache: A headache known as a “cervicogenic headache” can develop from neck pain. Another sign of a migraine headache may be neck pain along with a headache.
What are the causes of neck pain?
Injury: In falls, vehicle accidents, and sports where the neck’s muscles and ligaments are forced to move outside of their natural range, the neck is particularly prone to injury. The spinal cord may damage if the neck’s cervical vertebrae are broken. Whiplash is a term used to describe neck injuries caused by rapid head jerks.
Aging: As you become older, degenerative disorders like osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis can cause neck pain. Stress and motion can cause spinal disc degeneration over time, which can result in a herniated disc or pinched nerve.
Muscle Tension:
- Bad posture
- Obesity
- Jerking your neck when working out
- Sleeping with your neck in a poor position
Health Conditions: Meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer.
Strain: During demanding or repetitive activities, overusing your neck muscles can cause stiffness and soreness.
How is neck pain diagnosed?
Your doctor will do an examination and take a medical history. The examination will look for muscle weakness, numbness, and discomfort. Additionally, it will measure how far you can turn your head in all directions.
Your doctor may employ imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI computed tomography, to determine the source of the discomfort (CT).
These examinations can reveal deterioration and other problems with your neck’s bones and supporting tissues.
What are the treatments for neck pain?
The majority of mild-to-moderate neck pain cases respond to self-care within two to three weeks. It might only be necessary to utilize heat and painkillers.
Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are possible pain treatments (Tylenol, others). Use these medications as prescribed. Serious side effects might result from overuse.
Your healthcare professional can advise prescription NSAIDs or muscle relaxants if over-the-counter painkillers don’t work.
Therapy
Physical Therapy: Correct posture, alignment, and neck-strengthening exercises can be taught by a physical therapist. In order to reduce pain, physical therapy may also make use of ice, heat, and other techniques.
Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Tiny electrical impulses are delivered by electrodes put on the skin close to the painful areas, which may reduce pain. There is not much proof that TENS relieves neck discomfort, though.
Neck Collar: By relieving pressure on the neck, a soft collar that supports the neck might be able to reduce discomfort. A collar, however, may cause more harm than help if worn for longer than three hours at a time or for more than one to two weeks.
Surgical Procedures:
Steroid Injection: A medical professional may deliver steroid injections close to the nerve roots, into the joints of the spine, or into the neck muscles. To treat neck pain, numbing drugs like lidocaine can also be injected.
Surgery: Surgery is rarely necessary to treat neck pain, but it may be a possibility if the spinal cord or nerve roots are compressed.
How can Astra Ortho n Spine Center help you with treatment?
At Astra Ortho n Spine Center, we have a team of experienced doctors helping patients get back to their normal lives. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, kindly book an appointment with our experts and get yourself treated before it is too late.
Conclusion
Please leave a comment if you found this article helpful or useful. If you or your loved ones are suffering from neck pain, book an appointment right away
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