Neck Pain: Possible Causes and How to Treat It

What’s neck pain?

The vertebrae in your neck stretch from the skull to the upper torso. Cervical disks receive shock between the bones in the neck.

The bones, ligaments, and muscles of your neck support and move your head. Some anomalies, inflammation, or injury may cause neck pain or stiffness.

Many people feel mild neck pain or discomfort. It is often the result of bad balance or overuse. Neck pain is often caused by an impact from a fall, contact sports, or whiplash.

Much of the time, neck pain isn’t a major problem that can’t be fixed in a few days.

However, in some circumstances, neck pain may signify a severe injury or infection that necessitates medical attention.

If you have neck pain that continues for more than a week, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

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Causes of neck pain:

Neck pain or stiffness can happen for a variety of reasons.

Muscle tension and strain

This is usually due to activities and behaviors such as:

• poor stance
• employed at a desk for an extended period of time without changing positions
• Sleeping with the neck in an incorrect way
• jerking your neck when exercising

Injury

The neck is particularly vulnerable to injuries in crashes, car collisions, and athletics, where the muscles and ligaments of the neck are required to work outside of their natural range.

If the neck bones (cervical vertebrae) are fractured, the spinal cord may also be damaged. Neck injury due to sudden jerking of the head is commonly called whiplash.

Heart attack

Neck pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack, but it often presents with other symptoms of a heart attack, such as:

• shortness of breath
• sweating
• nausea
• vomiting
• arm or jaw pain

If your neck hurts and you have other symptoms of heart attack, call an ambulance or go to the emergency room immediately.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. In people who have meningitis, a fever and a headache often occur with a stiff neck. Meningitis can be fatal and is a medical emergency.

If you have the symptoms of meningitis, seek help immediately.

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Other causes

Other causes include the following:

• Rheumatoid arthritis causes knee inflammation, swelling, and bone spurs. Neck pain may arise where these occur in the neck region.
• Osteoporosis weakens the bones and can result in minor fractures. This disease is most often seen in the hands or knees, but it can also occur in the spine.
• Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes widespread muscle pain, especially in the neck and shoulders.

• The cervical discs will degenerate as you age. This is known as spondylosis, or neck osteoarthritis. This will cause the distance between the vertebrae to shorten. It even puts strain on the knees.
• When a disc protrudes as a result of pain or fracture, it may put more strain on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This is referred to as a herniated cervical disk, and is also known as a ruptured or slipping disk.

• Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal column narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots as it exits the vertebrae. This can be due to long-term inflammation caused by arthritis or other conditions.

In rare instances, neck stiffness or pain occurs due to:

• congenital abnormalities
• infections
• abscesses
• tumors
• cancer of the spine

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When to see your doctor:

If symptoms persist for more than a week, consult with your doctor. You should also see a doctor if you have:

• severe neck pain without apparent cause
• lump in your neck
• fever
• headache
• swollen glands
• nausea
• vomiting
• trouble swallowing or breathing
• weakness
• numbness
• tingling
• the ache that spreads down your arms or legs
• immobility of your limbs or hands
• inability to touch one’s chin to one’s chest
• bowel or urinary dysfunction

If you’ve been in an accident or fall and your neck hurts, seek medical care immediately.

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How neck pain is treated:

Your doctor will examine you and take a full medical report. Prepare to inform the doctor about your symptoms in detail. You should also inform them of any prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications or supplements you’ve been taking.

And if it does not appear to be linked, you should notify the doctor of any new incidents or incidents.

The treatment for neck pain is determined by the diagnosis. In addition to a detailed history and physical assessment by your doctor, you may need one or more of the imaging studies and tests listed below to assist your doctor in determining the cause of your neck pain:

• blood tests
• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• electromyography, which allows your doctor to check the health of your muscles and the nerves that control your muscles
• lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Depending on the results, your doctor may refer you to a specialist. Treatment for neck pain may include:

• ice and heat therapy
• exercise, stretching, and physical therapy
• pain medication
• corticosteroid injections
• muscle relaxants
• neck collar
• traction
• antibiotics if you have an infection
• hospital treatment if a condition such as meningitis or heart attack is the cause
• surgery, which is rarely necessary

Alternative therapies include:

• acupuncture
• chiropractic treatment
• massage
• transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Make sure you’re seeing a licensed professional when using these methods.

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How to ease neck pain at home:

If you have minor neck pain or stiffness, take these simple steps to relieve it:

• Apply ice for the first few days. After that, apply heat with a heating pad, hot compress, or by taking a hot shower.
• Take OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

• Rest from athletics, behaviors that aggravate the symptoms, and physical lifting for a few days. Slowly restore daily behavior as the symptoms subside.
• Every day, stretch your spine. Stretch your head slowly in side-to-side and up-and-down movements.
• Maintain proper stance.
• Keep the phone from being cradled between the neck and shoulder.
• Alter the place sometimes. Do not stand or sit in the same place for an extended period of time.

• Get a gentle neck massage.
• Use a special neck pillow for sleeping.
• Don’t use a neck brace or collar without your doctor’s approval. If you don’t use them properly, they can make your symptoms worse.

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What’s the outlook for people with neck pain?

Many individuals suffer from neck pain as a result of poor balance and muscle pressure. In these situations, if you maintain proper balance and rest your neck muscles while they are sore, your neck pain can subside.

If the neck pain isn’t any better with home remedies, see the doctor.

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