Health Spirit Body

Menu
  • Home
  • Health
  • Weight Loss
  • Nutrition
Home
Health
Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat Pain in Neck
Health

Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat Pain in Neck

Joanna P April 1, 2022

Table of Contents

  • What is Neck pain?
  • Neck Pain Symptoms
  • Causes of Neck Pain
    • Muscle tension and strain
    • Injury
    • Heart attack
    • Meningitis
  • Other causes
  • When to see your doctor
  • How Neck Pain is Treated
  • Howto ease neck pain at home
  • What’s the outlook for people with neck pain?

What is Neck pain?

pain in neck

The vertebrae in your neck extend from your skull to your upper torso. Cervical discs cushion the joints between the vertebrae, reducing the risk of injury.

Your neck is made up of bones, ligaments, and muscles that keep your head in place and allow it to move. Inflammation, abnormalities, and injuries to the neck can all lead to stiffness and pain. It’s not uncommon for people to suffer pain in the neck or stiffness. If you’re having problems, it’s probably due to your sleeping position. Whiplash, a fall, or a contact sports injury can all result in neck pain.

Neck pain is usually not a life-threatening condition and can be alleviated within a few days of its onset. However, neck pain can be a sign of a more serious injury or illness that necessitates a visit to the doctor. Take immediate action if you’re experiencing neck pain that lasts more than a week and is severe or accompanied by other symptoms.

Neck Pain Symptoms

pain in neck

The severity and duration of neck pain symptoms can vary widely. Often, neck pain is short-lived and only lasts a few days or a few weeks. It can also become chronic in some cases. Neck pain can be mild and have little impact on your day-to-day activities, or it can be severe and leave you unable to function.

Symptoms of neck pain may include:

  • Stiff neck – A stiff upper body. Having a “stiff” or “stuck” neck is a common complaint among those who suffer from neck pain. The range of motion in the neck can be limited by pain.
  • Sharp pain – A sharp stabbing sensation. A “stabbing” or “sharp” pain in the neck is a common symptom.
  • Pain when moving – Moving causes me pain. Moving, twisting, or extending your cervical spine, either from side to side or up and down, can exacerbate your neck pain.
  • Radiating pain or numbness – Numbness or pain that radiates. As a result, your neck pain may spread to other parts of your body such as your head and arms. Your arms or hands may tingle, feel numb, or be weak if you have neck pain caused by nerve compression. A pinched nerve in the neck can cause a burning or sharp pain that radiates down the arm and into the shoulder. If you experience this symptom, make an appointment with your doctor right away.
  • Headache – Cervicogenic headaches are headaches that originate in the neck. Migraine headaches can cause pain in the neck, as well as a headache.
  • Pain when palpated – It hurts to be touched. Palpation of the cervical spine can exacerbate the symptoms of neck pain (physically examined).

Causes of Neck Pain

pain in neck

There are numerous possible causes of stiffness or pain in the neck.

Muscle tension and strain

This is usually from activities and behaviors such as:

  • poor posture
  • working at a desk for too long without changing position
  • sleeping with your neck in a bad position
  • jerking your neck during exercise

Injury

It is especially vulnerable to neck injuries when the muscles and ligaments of the neck are forced to move outside of their normal range, such as in falls, car accidents, and sporting events.

The spinal cord may also be damaged if the neck bones (cervical vertebrae) are fractured. Whiplash is a common term for a neck injury caused by a sudden jerking of the head.

Heart attack

It is possible that neck pain could be a sign of a heart attack. Other symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain, may accompany it.

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

You should seek medical attention right away if your neck hurts and you have any other signs of a heart attack.

Meningitis

One of the most common causes of meningitis is a bacterial infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal meningitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • stiff neck
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • sensitivity to light
  • fever

Meningitis is a medical emergency that can be deadly. Consult a physician right away if you suspect meningitis.

Other causes

Other causes of neck pain include the following:

Pain, joint swelling, and bone spurs are all symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Neck pain is a possibility if they occur in the neck region.

Osteoporosis weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures, even if they are only minor. Although this condition is most commonly found in the hands or knees, it can also be found in the neck at some point.

In addition to pain in the neck and shoulders, fibromyalgia affects the rest of the body.

Cervical disc degeneration can occur with age. Osteoarthritis of the neck is known as spondylosis. This may result in the vertebral canal becoming smaller. Your joints will be put under more strain as a result of this as well.

When a disc bulges out due to trauma or injury, the spinal cord and/or nerve roots may be put under additional stress. Herniated cervical disc, rupture, or slip is the medical term for this condition.

There are many different types of spinal stenosis, but the most common is spinal stenosis in which the spinal column becomes progressively narrower. Arthritis or other chronic inflammation may be to blame for this symptom.

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

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

When to see your doctor

Consult a physician if symptoms persist for longer than a week. Consult a medical professional if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • severe neck pain without apparent cause
  • a lump in your neck
  • fever
  • headache
  • swollen glands
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • trouble swallowing or breathing
  • weakness
  • numbness
  • tingling
  • pain that radiates down your arms or legs
  • inability to move your arms or hands
  • inability to touch your chin to your chest
  • bladder or bowel dysfunction

Medical attention should be sought immediately if you’ve been injured in an accident or fall and your neck hurts.

How Neck Pain is Treated

pain in neck

A doctor will conduct a physical examination and gather all of your medical information. Make sure you’re prepared to go into detail about your symptoms. All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements you’ve been taking should also be brought up with your doctor.

Any recent injuries or accidents, regardless of how unrelated they seem at first glance, should be brought up with your doctor during your visit.

Neck pain treatment is based on the underlying cause. There are many imaging studies and tests that can help your doctor determine the cause of your neck pain and make a diagnosis, including a thorough history and physical exam.

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

Your doctor may suggest that you see a specialist based on the results of the test. There are a number of options for treating neck pain, including:

  • 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)

These methods should only be used by licensed professionals.

Howto ease neck pain at home

You can alleviate minor neck pain and stiffness by following these simple steps:

  • For the first few days, use ice. After that, use a heating pad, hot compress, or a hot shower to help relieve the pain and swelling.
  • Take a few days off from sports, activities that exacerbate your symptoms, or heavy lifting. As your symptoms subside, gradually return to normal activity.
  • A neck brace or collar should only be used with a doctor’s permission. It is possible to make your symptoms worse if you do not use them correctly.
  • Take OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  • Exercise your neck every day. Slowly stretch your head in side-to-side and up-and-down motions.
  • Practice good posture.
  • Avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder.
  • Change your position often. Don’t stand or sit in one position for too long.
  • Get a gentle neck massage.
  • Use a special neck pillow for sleeping.

What’s the outlook for people with neck pain?

Neck pain is a common ailment brought on by poor posture and overworked muscles. Good posture and rest for sore neck muscles should alleviate your discomfort in these situations.

If home remedies for neck pain don’t help, make an appointment with your doctor.

Share
Tweet
Email
Prev Article
Next Article

Related Articles

universe quotes
If you’re looking for inspiration to broaden your horizons and …

100 Universe Quotes List

alcohol substitute
With the holiday season upon us, drinking is at a …

Scientist Predicts Alcohol Won’t Exist In 10 Years

lemon-water-health-benefits
Fresh-squeezed lemon juice in water has many medicinal values, as …

Ten Major Health Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water Daily

women drink more smarter
Bottoms up, ladies! Science has confirmed something we’ve believed all …

Experts Say That Women Who Drink More Are Smarter

You Might Like

  • Flu like symptoms before labor
    Flu-like Symptoms Before Labor: These Are Dangerous …
  • Microneedling for acne scars
    Microneedling for Acne Scars: Costs, Effectiveness, Side …
  • Does vaping cause acne
    Does Vaping Cause Acne? Hidden Dangers Explained …
  • Why is my acne itchy
    Why is My Acne Itchy: Do This …
  • how to lose belly fat overnight
    How to Lose Belly Fat Overnight With …

Health Spirit Body

Health Information For A Better You
Copyright © 2023 Health Spirit Body
About | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT