Neck is a complex structure that is
surrounded by important arteries, veins, nerves, muscles, and most importantly
spinal cord and cervical vertebrae. Most of the neck pain is due to minor
sprains, bad posture and improper way of sleeping. Fortunately, it gets better
by keeping neck active with mild exercises in association with painkillers.
Chronic neck pain is one of the
most concerning factors, as many people tend to ignore it, but little did they
know what is going on inside with such a persistent pain. Therefore, it is
recommended to consult the medical advisor whenever the neck pain persists for
a longer period. In this article, let us check out some potential causes of
neck pain, its complications, treatment and ways to prevent it.
What are the causes of neck pain?
In acute cases, the causes are
quite few, such as sprains and strains, whiplash (a sudden jerk that causes extension
of muscles and ligaments), sitting in a single position for a longer period of
time (especially when your chair does not support the whole neck), and improper
way of exercising or sudden lifting of a heavy object. On the other hand,
chronic cases are associated with some underlying medical conditions, which
should be looked for, such as –
- Cervical Spondylosis (Cervical Disc Herniation)
- Degenerative diseases of spine
- Bad posture
- Mechanical injury
- Vertebrae or joint abnormalities
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Meningitis (Inflammation of tissues of brain and spinal cord)
- Torticollis (Wryneck)
What are the complications of chronic neck pain?
In case of acute conditions, or
acute exacerbation of chronic conditions, it is highly recommended to seek a
proper medical advice. If you ignore such problem, your condition might
aggravate and you may land up into severe complications related to spinal
diseases. The most common complication associated with persistent neck pain is
cervical spondylitis, wherein the neck pain is extended to one or both the arms
with or without tingling and numbness.
Most of the people with this
condition experience constant neck stiffness with numbness in both the arms that
extends till the fingers. According to medical experts, people having cervical issues
are more vulnerable to lumbar problems due to spinal affections. In advance
cases, one may suffer from weakness and paralysis of the upper or lower
extremities depending on the part of the spine affected. Therefore, it is suggested
that people should not ignore their slightest pain in neck, and should undergo
proper consultation with the physician to avert further complications.
How to get rid of neck pain?
The management of neck pain often
includes the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as
Naproxen or Ibuprofen. A short course of treatment with NSAID is suggested in
association with muscle relaxants. Physicians also recommend people to apply
ice and moist heat alternatively in order to increase the blood circulation and
ultimately to decrease the pain. One can also apply these methods to get rid of back pain. In severe cases, one may require local corticosteroid injection for
neck pain relief and to reduce muscular pain as well. In advance cases, where
the nerve roots are involved, surgical intervention becomes mandatory to
decompress the nerves. The doctor who is expert in spine health is the best
person to explain you the chronic pain treatment related to neck and back.
What are the precautionary measures?
Once your pain subsides, you can
start with few precautionary measures to prevent the recurrence of neck pain in
future. The first and foremost thing to do is to keep your neck active with few
cervical exercises. You can gently move your neck in upward-downward motion,
sideways (left-right), and rotating it in clockwise and counter-clockwise motion
for 10 to 15 times in a day. But make sure you are not having any pain or
stiffness before starting with these exercises.
Meanwhile, you can follow the below-mentioned steps –
Meanwhile, you can follow the below-mentioned steps –
- Warm and cold applications
- Use a cervical collar
- Avoid sitting under the air-conditioner
- Avoid sleeping in awkward positions
- Use a modified pillow so that it covers your entire neck while resting
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