Neck and shoulder pain is very common. In this digital era, neck pain patients have increased a lot. If you have neck pain for more than a week, it is important to consult a specialist doctor.
neck pain causes
There are several possible causes of neck pain, including:
1) Muscle strain or tension: Poor posture, prolonged sitting, repetitive neck movements, or holding the neck in an uncomfortable position for an extended period can lead to muscle strain and cause neck pain.
2) Injury or trauma: Whiplash from a car accident, falling, or any direct impact to the neck can cause neck pain.
3) Degenerative conditions: Conditions such as osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, or herniated discs can cause chronic neck pain.
4) Nerve compression: Conditions such as cervical radiculopathy or a pinched nerve can cause neck pain that may radiate down the arm and shoulder.
5) Neck abnormalities: Congenital abnormalities or structural problems in the neck, such as cervical rib or a misaligned spine, can cause neck pain.
6) Stress: Emotional and psychological stress can result in muscle tension and cause neck pain.
7) Inflammatory conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or meningitis can cause neck pain as a symptom.
8) Infections: Infections of the neck, such as throat infections or swollen lymph nodes, can lead to neck pain.
9) Tumors: Rarely, tumors in the neck or surrounding areas can cause persistent neck pain.
It is important to consult a healthcare professional to determine the exact cause of neck pain and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
- If the neck is injured in an accident, the pain lasts for a long time. Muscle tension sometimes causes pain.
Incorrect sitting posture can cause neck pain. Sleeping on a crooked side puts pressure on the neck, which can also lead to neck pain. If such a problem occurs, it becomes impossible to rotate the neck on the other side.
Stress and anxiety can also cause neck pain. Sometimes lying in bed reading a book, watching TV or sitting up working on a laptop also causes tension in the neck muscles.
Who is at risk?
The risk of this disease increases with age. Changes in spondylosis usually begin after the age of 40. In some cases, bone loss begins even earlier. You have to work with your head bent forward. This disease is more common in people of all professions. Work only sitting on chair-table, such as bankers, executives; Continuous work on computers, neck jerking, occupations such as motorcyclists or cyclists can also cause this disease.
Symptoms
Neck pain can sometimes radiate from the shoulders to the upper back, chest, back of the head or arms through the arms. Pressure on the nerve or nerve that descends from the neck to the hand can cause pain throughout the hand.Cervical spondolysis problems are most severe when the spinal cord is compressed. Weakness in arms and legs, difficulty in walking. Urinary incontinence may also occur.It hurts to move the neck. There is a problem in turning the neck to the right and left. The neck holds the jam.
Along with the pain, there may be tingling, numbness, numbness, tingling sensation in the hands and arms. Also it is difficult to do any work with hands.
Muscle tension also causes neck pain. Pain can also be caused by nerve compression, i.e. herniated discs in the neck vertebrae or pressure on the nerves exiting the spinal cord at the source of the bone. This can happen due to various injuries
Do it yourself
Common neck pain can be cured by making a few changes in your daily routine.
Maintain healthy posture. When sitting, keep your spine in a straight line and your ears directly above your shoulders.
Do not sit for long periods of time and take 10 minute breaks every hour. If traveling long distances or working at a computer for long periods of time, sit up, look around, and stretch your neck and shoulders back and forth.
Adjust the work desk, chair and computer so that the monitor is at eye level. Both knees will be slightly below the hips. Armrests or handles can be used on chairs. Don’t slouch at the table.
Do not hold the phone between your ear and shoulder while talking on the phone. If necessary, turn on headphones or phone speakers.
Smokers are at a higher risk of developing neck pain. So quit smoking to be free from neck pain.
Avoid carrying heavy bags with straps over the shoulder. Excess weight puts pressure on the neck and causes pain.
Sleep with a pillow on a medium-firm flat bed. A pillow should be placed under the neck while sleeping. If necessary, pull the pillow under the neck or use a low-height pillow, so that your spinal muscles lie flat.
When to go to the doctor?
To diagnose neck pain, an orthopedic doctor will initially check the patient’s neck mobility, numbness and muscle weakness. Examine the affected patient by tilting his head forward, backward, sideways. Apart from this, you can do some tests. For example –
X-rays: X-rays can be used to determine the extent to which a nerve or spinal cord has undergone bony origin or other degenerative changes.
CT scan: A CT scan may also be needed to determine the extent of damage to the internal structures of the affected patient’s neck.
MRI: Some patients, especially those with long-standing neck pain, may also need an MRI to determine the true condition of the spinal cord, bones, and soft tissues, including the nerves that come from the spinal cord.
Neck Pain Treatment
There are several treatment options for neck pain depending on the underlying cause and severity of the pain. Here are some common treatment methods:
- Rest and self-care: Taking a break from activities that worsen the pain and adopting proper posture can help alleviate mild neck pain.
- Exercise and stretching: Strengthening and stretching exercises can help improve flexibility and relieve muscle tension in the neck. Physical therapy may be recommended for more severe cases.
- Heat and cold therapy: Applying heat (such as a hot pack or warm shower) or cold (such as an ice pack) to the neck can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Pain medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to manage mild to moderate neck pain.
- Muscle relaxants: If muscle spasms are contributing to the pain, a doctor may prescribe muscle relaxant medications.
- Massage or manual therapy: Techniques such as massage, chiropractic adjustment, or osteopathic manipulation can help reduce muscle tension and improve neck pain.
- Posture improvement: Correcting posture habits and using supportive devices, such as ergonomic chairs and pillows, can help relieve chronic neck pain.
- Injections: In certain cases, a doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Alternative therapies: Acupuncture, acupressure, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are some alternative therapies that some people find helpful for neck pain relief.
- Surgery: Surgery is typically considered when conservative treatments have failed and there is an underlying structural problem, such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.
Blood circulation is normalized by massaging well with painkiller local sprays, gels. You can take a bath in lukewarm water and then massage for a while by heating olive oil or coconut oil. You will get relief if you massage twice – morning and afternoon. Neck pain can also be relieved through massage. In this case, proper and experienced hands should be massaged. However, this is not a lasting solution.
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