Do you wake up in the morning feeling terrible? Do you find it hard to do certain activities throughout the day?
The cause of the issues you’re experiencing may be due to neck pain. If you suffer from neck pain, you aren’t alone. Data shows that about 10% of adults have neck pain.
Do you know why you have this type of pain? You should know as it can help you find the appropriate treatment. Read on to learn what are the causes of neck pain.
What Are the Causes of Neck Pain
The causes of neck pain vary. One condition or a combination of them can cause this type of pain.
Injuries make up the most common causes of neck pain. The neck can easily sustain an injury as it’s a vulnerable body part. Most neck injuries are a result of car accidents.
Whiplash can occur during a car accident. This is a sudden movement of the neck. The neck will rebound in the opposite direction causing trauma.
Neck injuries can also occur after a fall. After a fall, a person may experience neck pain and soreness.
A sports-related neck injury can cause pain. Neck pain is a common issue among football players. Between 10-15% of all football players report having neck pain.
Muscle tension and strains can cause neck pain. Poor posture and sleeping with one’s neck in a bad position are both detrimental.
Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to neck pain. It’s often due to joint swelling. Bone spurs are also a source of neck pain.
Fibromyalgia is another condition that can cause neck pain. Osteoporosis can affect the neck which may lead to pain.
The Symptoms of Neck Pain
Now that you know the different neck pain causes, it’s time to learn about the symptoms of neck pain. Knowing the symptoms can help you determine if you’re suffering from this type of pain.
Neck pain manifests itself in several ways. If your neck hurts, you’ll experience sharp pain that worsens when holding your head in a certain way. Activities that worsen the pain include driving and working on a computer.
Muscle tightness and spasms are common. Most people describe the feeling as “stiff” and “stuck”. This affects the ability to move the neck.
Radiating pain can affect other areas. It can affect the head, shoulder, and even arms. If the neck pain compresses a nerve, it can lead to numbness in either the arms or hands.
Did you know that neck pain can cause a headache? The pain will produce a cervicogenic headache.
Don’t apply pressure to your neck if it hurts. Even mild pressure may worsen the pain due to increased sensitivity.
Diagnosing Neck Pain
Are any of these symptoms affecting you? If you’re experiencing any of them, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will review your medical history.
Expect your healthcare provider to ask you a series of questions to diagnose your neck pain. The provider will ask when the pain started. Make sure to list all the symptoms you’re experiencing.
You’ll have to undergo a physical exam. The provider will feel and move your neck. Doing this helps to locate the pain and find problems with range of motion.
The provider will also check your muscle strength and reflexes. You may undergo various tests like an X-ray, MRI scan, or CT scan. These tests can help determine if there’s damage in the bones or tissues around the neck.
Neck Pain Treatment
The treatment for neck pain depends on its cause. Treatment focuses on relieving the pain and improving function.
Your provider may prescribe pain medication. These medications will help ease the pain and inflammation.
Your provider may also prescribe muscle relaxants. These help promote healing when taken with pain medication.
Ice and heat therapy is commonly used to treat this condition. Physical therapy may also be used.
Depending on the severity of the pain, you may need to get steroid injections. The steroid is injected near the neck’s nerve roots. This injection can help lessen the pain as well as inflammation.
If you don’t experience relief, you can see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care consists of effective treatments for neck pain.
The chiropractor will do a thorough evaluation. Inform the chiropractor of the symptoms you’re experiencing. The chiropractor will perform the appropriate treatments based on your symptoms.
Chiropractic care promotes natural healing and recovery. Click the link to learn more about the benefits of chiropractic care.
Relieving Neck Pain at Home
Your healthcare provider will provide you with education. You’ll learn how to relieve neck pain at home.
At home, you can apply heat or ice packs to your neck. You can take OTC pain relievers.
Practicing good posture at home is a must. Don’t sit in one position for too long. Make sure to get up and stretch your head when using your computer.
Resting can help reduce neck pain. Taking a few days off from physical activity can help too.
There are also long-term strategies that can help reduce chronic neck pain. It’s no secret that smoking is bad for one’s health. If you stop smoking, you’ll experience improved healing.
Obesity can put a strain on one’s body. Losing weight can reduce the stress on your neck. This will ease the pain.
Treating Neck Pain
You don’t have to suffer from neck pain anymore. This neck pain guide contains all the information you need to relieve your neck pain. Now that you know what are the causes of neck pain, you can do what you need to experience relief.
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