What is neck pain?
Neck pain, also called Cervicalgia, occurs in or around the spine below your head, an area known as the cervical spine. It is a frequent symptom associated with various injuries and medical conditions.
The pain may be classified as axial, primarily located in the neck, or radicular, which radiates to other areas such as the shoulders or arms. It can be acute, persisting from a few days up to six weeks, or chronic, lasting more than three months. Final Paragraphs 4 If left untreated, neck pain can disrupt daily activities and diminish your quality of life.
Causes
Neck pain is quite common and many of us will experience it eventually. Often, it results from maintaining the same neck position for too long. However, several other factors can also cause or contribute to neck pain, such as:
- Stress
- Sleeping in an uncomfortable position
- Whiplash from an accident
- A sprain or strain or a flare-up of cervical spondylosis – occurs as the discs and joints in the spine age
Frequently, people experience a stiff and painful neck without any clear cause. This might occur after being exposed to a draft or following a minor injury and is referred to as non-specific neck pain. This is the most prevalent form of neck pain and typically resolves itself within a few days, especially if you continue to move your neck gently and rest as necessary.
Short episodes of neck pain can often be managed at home using over-the-counter pain medications and light stretching. However, if the neck pain continues or severely impacts your daily activities, it is advisable to consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for proper assessment and treatment
Symptoms
Symptoms of neck pain consist of stiffness and discomfort in the neck region. You might experience pain when moving your neck, and your muscles could feel tight, especially after prolonged periods of sitting or sleeping in one position. Furthermore, you may notice that your neck does not turn as far as usual, such as when trying to look over your shoulder.
Treatment
Treatment options for neck pain typically begin with straightforward self-help measures and a day or two of rest, which may suffice to ease an episode of neck pain. However, for more complex or persistent issues, a healthcare professional may recommend additional treatments and therapies. If pain persists, your doctor might prescribe stronger painkillers, although these are not suitable for everyone.
Physical treatments may involve consultations with a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or osteopath. Often, treatment from these professionals, along with exercises performed at home, is adequate. They can recommend both general and specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the neck muscles.
Manipulation, a manual therapy technique used to alleviate stiffness, should only be performed after consulting a healthcare professional, as it is not appropriate for everyone.
The Alexander Technique teaches bodily awareness and helps reduce unwanted muscle tension; a certified instructor will guide you on improving posture and movement patterns.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) utilizes a small, battery-operated device to alleviate pain. Small pads placed on the painful area emit low-voltage electrical currents that produce a tingling sensation, helping to block pain signals to the brain. TENS machines are available for purchase at pharmacies, though a physiotherapist might offer one for trial use.
Neck collars are used to support the neck in cases of severe or complex health issues, although they are not typically required for routine care.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles at specific points on the skin to relieve pain by disrupting pain signals to the brain and triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
In certain situations, injections containing a long-acting local anesthetic or a steroid might be effective, particularly for persistent pain in the back of the head or arm. These injections are usually administered under X-ray guidance to ensure precise placement of the needle.
Radio-frequency denervation, which may be beneficial for chronic neck pain from facet joints, uses a needle heated by electrical current to disable nerve endings that send pain signals to the brain. This method is considered only after other treatments have failed and following successful temporary pain relief from steroid injections. It is designed as a long-term solution to manage persistent pain, especially since regular steroid injections are generally discouraged.
Resources for Patients
Treat Your Own Neck
Real Time Neck Pain Stretches
Resources Used
- Neck Pain: Causes, Treatments, At-Home Remedies. (2022, December 9). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21179-neck-pain
- Neck pain. (n.d.). Versus Arthritis. https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/neck-pain/