Neck Pain
Neck pain is usually pain in or around the cervical spine and neck area. It can be caused by a number of factors which range from everyday activities to more serious injuries.
Neck Pain Impacting Your Life?
There are many different causes of neck pain. Many people experience pain and/or stiffness in the neck muscles due to poor posture, sleeping in an awkward position, not having their computer screen at eye level, or in some cases, it is caused by an injury from contact sports or a whiplash injury.
Chronic neck pain, though rarely a sign of a serious condition, can interfere with daily activities and affect your quality of life, making it a good idea to seek treatment to prevent severe pain in the future.
Seek medical help if you suffer from one of the following symptoms: numbness, loss of muscle strength in your arms, or shooting pain in your shoulder.
What are common neck pain symptoms?
Neck pain can vary in intensity and duration. Sometimes the pain only lasts for a couple of days or weeks, and other times it may become chronic pain.
These symptoms may include:
Stiff neck: similar to being "stuck". It can cause a decreased range of motion.
Sharp pain: It may feel like a stabbing pain localized to one area.
Pain when moving: Pain that is exacerbated by moving or extending the cervical spine.
Radiating pain: Pain that is extended to the head, shoulder, and arms, often caused by a pinched nerve.
Neck pain with a headache: It may also be a symptom of a migraine headache.
What are the most common types of neck pain?
When it comes to neck pain, there are short-term acute pain and long-lasting chronic pain, and it is often divided into these four types of neck pain:
Axial neck pain: This is the most common type of neck pain. It is focused on one part of the neck, and it doesn't radiate to other zones. Normally, this type of pain feels dull or throbbing, and symptoms may increase with specific movements or poor posture.
Radicular pain: This occurs when a nerve root in the cervical spine becomes inflamed, causing pain to move along the nerve. This pain sometimes includes shoulder, arm, and/or hand pain.
Referred pain: This is a pain that is experienced in a location that isn't the source of pain and is also not caused by nerve root irritation. This pain often feels deep and cramping and can be transferred to the neck from different parts of the body.
Myelopathic pain: This type of pain happens when the spinal cord in the neck becomes compressed, and although it causes neck pain, the symptoms are often located at a distance below the neck, such as in the legs or feet.
It is important to note that sometimes people may suffer from more than one of these pains, and only healthcare professionals can successfully diagnose the source of the pain and the best ways to treat it.
What are the common causes of neck pain?
Some different medical issues and injuries cause neck pain. Some examples are:
Injury: Injuries caused by sudden movements of the head or neck and rebounding in the opposite direction can cause neck pain.
Aging: Some degenerative conditions, such as degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis can lead to neck pain as time passes. Motion can also lead to spinal disc degeneration, which often causes a herniated disc.
Physical strain: Overuse of neck muscles during repetitive actions can lead to stiffness and pain. Mental stress also plays a role in physical stress as tightening neck muscles due to tension often causes neck pain too.
Physical conditions that affect spinal balance: Bad posture from sitting for long periods of time and bad computer posture contribute to neck pain too.
Other conditions: In some rare cases, other health conditions like tumors, cysts, meningitis, and rheumatoid arthritis, among others, can cause neck pain.
How is neck pain diagnosed?
Neck pain can be diagnosed by a health care professional such as a chiropractor who is experienced in diagnosing conditions of the spine and neck. They may feel and move your neck to discover where the pain is coming from and find motion issues. They will also examine muscle strength and reflexes in the area and ask about your medical history and injuries that might have caused problems with the neck, such as whiplash or a herniated disc.
Sometimes, doctors may use tests like an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a CT (computed tomography) to show the damage to the bones and surrounding tissues. Other tests can help get a proper neck pain diagnosis, such as electromyography, nerve root block, and nerve conduction studies, as they look more closely at the discs in the spine and the function of nerves and muscle response.
How is neck pain treated?
Neck pain is treated depending on what is causing it. As we mentioned before, a healthcare professional will be able to diagnose what is causing the pain with a physical exam and medical history.
Once there is a diagnosis of the cause of the pain, there are different standard treatments for this kind of pain, for example:
Anti-inflammatory medicines and other medicines to ease pain and inflammation. You may be prescribed stronger medications and muscle relaxants if neck pain persists.
Physical therapy and exercises to strengthen and stretch muscles in the neck. The program and length of the therapy can vary depending on the diagnosis, but multiple sessions per week are often recommended, with some prescribed exercises to be done at home.
Massage therapy: Massages can soothe muscle tension and spasms, reducing pain and promoting relaxation. A physical therapist will be prepared to perform a massage that helps with the pain.
Chiropractors and osteopaths can reduce pain and improve the range of motion by using their hands. Spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization involve skilled techniques that help with neck pain and other spinal problems.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is done by placing thin needles into specific points on the skin based on the type of pain. For neck pain, needles are placed near the neck area or anywhere else that can support and promote the healing of neck pain.
How do chiropractors help with neck pain?
Chiropractic is a form of complementary medicine that helps your body heal itself with the help of hands-on manipulation from a professional. Chiropractic treatment and physical therapy often go hand in hand to treat certain types of pain.
During your visit with a chiropractor, your neck and spine will be examined to locate the source of your pain. Chiropractors can perform a neck adjustment, a procedure applied to the joints of the neck to help improve the spine's mobility and restore range of motion. Patients with neck pain often notice a better ability to move the head and less pain, soreness, and stiffness. Your chiropractor will also develop a program that combines different types of treatment such as massages or rehabilitative massages to complement your healing, although this varies depending on your specific situation.
At Home Neck Pain Treatment Options
Although the best way to treat neck pain is with a physical examination with a professional, there are some things you can do at home for temporary pain relief. If you feel like you have a serious problem that has lasted for a long time or a serious neck injury, seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Here are some great ways to temporarily treat neck stiffness and neck pain at home:
Apply ice the first days you feel neck stiffness
Take over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen for pain relief
Rest from sports and activities that aggravate your symptoms
Exercise your neck every day by stretching your head slowly from side to side and up and down
Try to keep a straight posture
Don't sit or stand in one position for too long
Use a special neck pillow when sleeping
