Neck Pain: You are not alone if you suffer from pain in your neck. Experts estimate that 7 out of 10 people will be troubled by such pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain is also called as “stiff neck ” because movements of the neck and upper spine become limited.
Neck Pain
Neck pain is common and can really cause a problem. But solving the problem is not that easy. Relieving and managing neck pain involves a combination of therapies including physical therapy, medication, self-help remedies and less common is surgery.
Pain and stiffness in the neck can vary from a mild discomfort to severe pain. It may be acute, with a sudden onset or chronic which is long lasting. Cause of the problem can range from a strained muscle to some forms of arthritis.
Some causes of neck pain
- Muscular problems
- Stress
- Meningitis
- Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Slip disc
- Trapped Nerve
- Tumor
Almost all cases of neck pain arise from muscle strain and tend to resolve fast without any lasting damage. But there are some symptoms and signs that may lead to lasting damage if not given attention.
- Severe vomiting
- Difficulty in coordination and balance
- Weakness or inability to move or feel in arms and legs
- Eye pain when exposed to light or pain behind one eye – sign of a migraine
- Rash that does not fade when pressed – sign of bacterial meningitis
- Feeling confused or drowsy after an injury from fall or car crash – sign of head injury
The pain felt in the shoulder area can sometimes come from the neck. Nerves and muscles from your neck pass through your shoulder down the arm. That is why pain may extend down the arm.
The pain from the neck is usually felt mainly at the top of your shoulder over the muscle, and so pain from the shoulder is normally felt over the upper arm.
The simplest way to know if the pain is coming from the shoulder and not from the neck is by moving freely the shoulder without aggravating the pain. The pain is often a dull ache when coming from your neck joints and ligaments. The pain can be very severe if it comes from a trapped nerve
Common causes of shoulder pain from the neck include:
- Arthritis of the spine ( Cervical Spondylosis )
- Narrowing of the spine due to arthritis ( Spinal Stenosis )
- Spongy disc is pushed backward and presses on the nerves to your arm ( Disc Prolapse )
- Ligament or muscle injury
The most effective treatment for your neck pain is to identify the cause of your discomfort.
It can be difficult to get to the root of the problem. An X-ray or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is needed to solve specific causes.
It takes an experienced medical doctor to help you differentiate the main source of pain, whether from the neck or from the shoulder. It can be difficult to get to the root of the problem.
More than ever, patients now play an increasingly important role in their own recovery through participation in stretching and strengthening exercises and mind-body therapies.
We should keep in mind that our spine is a very important part of our body. Taking extra care for your spine will be very helpful for our health.
If you need any help when it comes to addressing your pain, you can always contact Tricity Pain Associates. They specialize in pain management and surely they will be happy to be of help.