Neck pain is defined as pain near or in the area of the spine below the back of the head, called the cervical spine. Neck discomfort can be brought on by a wide range of physical accidents and medical problems.
Pain is classified into axial neck pain (commonly seen in the neck) and radicular neck pain (pain that starts in the neck and travels down the shoulders or arms). Neck pain can be acute, which can last up to 6 weeks, or chronic, which makes people suffer for years.
Rarely does neck pain indicate a more serious issue. See a spinal doctor if neck pain is associated with other symptoms, such as numbness, loss of arm strength, or sharp pain in the shoulder or arm.
Leaving neck pain untreated can make daily activities difficult and decrease your quality of life.
Here Are A Few Of The Most Typical Causes of Neck Pain
Due to the flexible nature of the neck and the fact that it supports the weight of the head, it is prone to injuries and certain medical conditions that cause neck pain and limit mobility.
Muscle Tears:
Muscle strains and ligament sprains are often caused by overuse or overstretching of the muscles/ligaments in the neck, such as spending too much time bending over and working on a computer or using a smartphone. Even simple activities like reading, lying in bed, or clenching your teeth can exercise your neck muscles. People are usually used to a certain style of sleeping, the use of pillows, etc. If there is a sudden change, such situations may arise.
Worn Joints:
Neck joints generally wear out with age, just like other joints in the body. Osteoarthritis/osteoarthritis is a condition that breaks down the cartilage (which acts as a glass-like sliding surface) between the vertebral bones. When these cartilage cells break down, bone spurs develop, which limit joint movement and also cause pain.
Nerve Compression:
When the nerves exiting the spinal cord are compressed due to herniated discs or bone spurs. It can cause neck pain and discomfort. Sometimes they cause radiation or radiculopathy. If it leads to compression of the spinal cord, symptoms of myelopathy may arise.
Injuries
Vehicle collisions can cause whiplash injuries, in which the head jerks back and forth suddenly, putting stress on connective tissue in the neck. The muscles, ligaments, and vertebral discs of the spinal cord can also be damaged by these collisions. Neck aches and soreness may result from this.
Physical Exertion
Repeated actions or strenuous activity can stress the neck muscles, causing stiffness and pain. This is more true if there is unusual strenuous physical activity.
Diseases
Some of the uncommon diseases that can cause neck pain include arthritis (RA), degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis, meningitis, and cancer.
Mental Stress
Mental Stress or tension can strain the neck muscles, causing neck pain and stiffness. These usually lower the pain threshold and can give a sensation of increased pain.
Poor posture, being overweight, and weak abdominal muscles can also affect spinal posture and cause neck pain.
Prevention
Poor posture and the ageing process are the two main contributors to neck pain. Keep the centre of gravity of the head above the spine to minimise neck pain. You may need to make some changes to your daily routine to prevent neck pain:
- Maintain Good Posture: When you stand or sit, make sure you have good posture. Your shoulders should be directly above your hip line and your ears should be on your shoulders.
- Take frequent breaks: Stretch your neck and shoulder muscles every time you run long distances. Get up and move around if you are working at a computer for a long time. By adjusting your desk, chair, or computer, make sure that your monitor is at eye level. Your hips should be positioned at or above the knees. Use the armrests of your chair.
- Avoid holding the phone between your head and shoulder when speaking on the phone. Instead, get a headset or use a speakerphone.
- Stop smoking if you have a habit of doing so. Neck pain is more likely to occur if you smoke.
- It is not recommended to carry bulky luggage on your shoulders as the weight can cause neck pain.
- Sleep in a comfortable position. The neck and head should be in line with the rest of the body. Place a small pillow under your neck. Sleep on your back, placing your thighs slightly up on pillows to relax your spinal muscles.
- Exercise regularly and also exercise to work and strengthen the muscles of the spine.
- Neck pain can be treated in a number of ways depending on its cause. The goal is to reduce pain by improving function. Physical therapy and medications are common conservative treatments for this condition. Consult with Ushta Medicare LLP Doctors Mumbai for Spine physicians, to learn more about treatment options for chronic neck pain sufferers. A doctor has more than 25 years of experience in the treatment of various pathologies of the spine. To make a doctor’s appointment, dial +91 9029655595.
