Neck pain or stiffness in the neck is a very common problem among a wide range of different people, and not something that most people should worry about. Usually, the stiffness or pain will begin to subside after a couple of days or weeks, and will not often be a sign of more serious issues.
For people who struggle with this problem regularly, it might help to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for neck pain. You can get a painful neck if you use computers frequently, sit or sleep in an awkward position, have poor posture, are exposed to trauma, or simply suffer from anxiety or stress.
Symptoms of Neck Pain:
When addressing the causes, symptoms, and treatment for neck pain, the symptoms are pretty obvious, such as:
– Discomfort around the neck
– Swelling or inflammation
– Pain that radiates through the shoulder and back
– Difficulty moving the head as normal
Managing Your Neck Pain:
The more complex part of recognizing the causes, symptoms, and treatment for neck pain is figuring out how to treat the issue, while potentially avoiding unnecessary trips to the doctor. After all, for many forms of neck pain, the advice will be the same – to carry on with your regular activities and simply take pain killers to help relieve some of the symptoms. You can also take additional steps to help you manage your pain, such as:
– Holding a heat pack or hot water bottle against the back of your neck to reduce muscle spasms and pain
– Sleeping on a low pillow at night
– Taking regular doses of ibuprofen or paracetamol
– Avoiding driving if turning your head is difficult
– Trying various neck exercises if the muscles are stiff
What Causes Neck Pain?
The causes of neck pain are highly varied. Some people simply wake up one morning to find that their neck is twisted uncomfortably or stuck in a painful position. This is known as acute torticollis and it can be caused by injury to the muscles in the neck. The exact cause of this condition is currently unknown, but it can be caused by bad posture.
Another cause of neck pain may simply be wear and tear that occurs within the muscles, bones, and joints in the neck over time. Sometimes, this can happen as a result of arthritis and this can happen more commonly with age – not generally causing any symptoms.
One particularly common cause of neck pain is whiplash, which is an injury that is caused by the sudden movement of the head in a forward, sideways, or backwards direction. This often occurs following a sudden impact, as the vigorous motion stretches the ligaments and tendons in the neck.
Finally, neck pain can be caused by a pinched nerve. This happens when the discs between the upper spine bones split open, causing the gel inside to bulge out towards a nearby nerve. This condition is more common among older people because their discs begin to lose water content as they age, which makes them more prone to splitting.