Neck Pain

Unfortunately, neck pain is very common. Often tense muscles are to blame for an achy neck. However, it’s also common to have discomfort from poor posture. Whether we lean over our desks at work or hunch over a workbench, this all weakens our form and creates poor posture. Osteoarthritis can also play a nasty role in nagging neck pain. So, is it a problem?

Usually, the symptoms are nothing to worry about. However, if your neck pain is followed by numbness or strength loss in your hands or arms or shooting pain, you should see a doctor.

What are the Symptoms of Neck Pain?

Signs and symptoms of neck pain include the following:

• Pain that is often worsened by holding your head in one place for long periods of time, such as when driving or working at a computer
• Muscle tightness and spasms
• Decreased ability to move your head
• Headache

What’s Causing this Nagging Pain?

It’s not uncommon for your neck to be susceptible to injury and conditions since it is flexible and supports the weight of your head. Often, these injuries and conditions restrict movement and cause pain. Neck pain causes are as follows:

Worn joints. Just like the other joints in your body, with age, your neck joints tend to wear down. Osteoarthritis causes the cushions (cartilage) between your bones (vertebrae) to deteriorate. Your body then forms bone spurs that affect joint motion and cause pain.

Muscle strains. This typically occurs from overuse. Often from too many hours hunched over your computer or smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in bed or gritting your teeth, can strain neck muscles.

Nerve compression. Herniated discs or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord.

Injuries. Auto collisions, typically rear-end ones, often cause whiplash, which occurs when the head is jerked backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck.

Diseases. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer, can cause neck pain.

How is Neck Pain Diagnosed?

A physician or an orthopedic often will diagnose your neck pain. Your medical history is taken into consideration and an exam is performed. While performing the exam, your doctor will check for numbness, tenderness and muscle weakness. You will then be asked to move your head forward and backward, and side to side.

Imaging

It’s common for your doctor to order imaging tests to be done. These include the following:

• X-rays. X-rays can reveal areas in your neck where your nerves or spinal cord might be pinched by bone spurs or other degenerative changes.
• MRI. MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create detailed images of bones and soft tissues, including the spinal cord and the nerves coming from the spinal cord.
• CT scan. CT scans combine X-ray images taken from many different directions to produce detailed cross-sectional views of the internal structures of your neck.

How is Neck Pain Treated?

Neck pain, when mild to moderate, often responds to self-care within a couple of weeks. However, if the pain does not subside by then, it is recommended that you seek medical attention for additional treatment.

The use of anti-inflammatory drugs is often used to first treat neck pain, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Sometimes pain relievers such as acetaminophen are recommended. Depending on the severity, your physician might recommend muscle relaxers. Physical therapy might be recommended to strengthen the injury.

If you are searching for a neck pain specialist, call us at 888-409-8006.