The neck holds the head and shoulders in place; therefore, when there is pain, it affects all the other parts. Pain can interfere with one’s ability to perform daily activities due to the discomfort caused. The pain results from many causes like poor posture during sleeping, inappropriate lifting techniques, and sporting activities. People who spend more time bending or sitting are more likely to be affected. Memorial Area neck pain may vary from mild-moderate to severe. Over-the-counter medication may ease the pain for mild and moderate neck pain. Severe pain needs medical attention to prevent further worsening. Read on to learn more about neck pain.

Signs of neck pain

  •         Numbness in the neck area
  •         Headache
  •         Burning sensation
  •         Tenderness
  •         Muscle weakness
  •         Inability to move the neck, arms, and hands.

Causes of neck pain

  •         Arthritis is a major cause where the joints are affected.
  •         Nerve-related disorders like arthritis, meningitis
  •         Old age as the body tends to have wear and tear on joints
  •         Sport-related injuries like fractures and bone dislocation
  •         Inappropriate lifting techniques
  •         Previous Trauma to the neck
  •         Straining of the muscles during activities like working on a computer

Treatment for neck pain

Some traditional ways of relieving neck pain exist, like placing ice packs to ease the pain. Placing a hot pad on the affected area may lower the pain. Massaging the neck may assist where the pain is mild. For moderate pain, physical therapy, together with taking pain-relieving medications, may help.

 Resting and taking frequent breaks may be a home remedy where the pain goes by itself. Maintaining a good posture while sitting, sleeping or standing is very vital.

When all the homecare treatment offers little or no help, it’s wise to seek medical attention. The doctor examines the area around the neck and establishes the cause of the pain. An x-ray may be done to give a clear picture of where the nerves are affected. For severe pain, MRI and CT   scans are done to give clear images of the affected tissues, and bone inflammation due to an infection may be checked by doing a blood test.

After the cause of the neck pain has been established, the doctor prescribes medication to ease the pain. The steroid injections may be given as well as muscle relaxers. one is also taught the correct posture to maintain and less strenuous exercises for neck muscles to strengthen. A soft collar may hold the neck in place, especially for accident victims and those who get sporting injuries. For those nursing neck pain due to sports injuries, they should consult the doctor on rehabilitation mobility and on the choice of activities to be done to avoid doing more harm. The doctor can do surgery to relieve nerve root pain though not very common.

The need to offer emotional support to those affected and going through the pain is also crucial. Smoking increases the risk of getting neck pain. Activities that strain the neck, like carrying too heavy loads on the head, should be avoided. The good news is that expert pain has a wide range of treatment options to cater to all neck pain-related problems. Please book an appointment with them by writing an email.