Why Is My Neck Hurting - Top Causes Of Neck Pain

By Author: Monica Quinn
Total Articles: 82
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The neck is made out of vertebrae, which extend from the skull and down to the upper torso. The cervical discs have the function of absorbing the shock between the bones. The bones, the muscles, and the ligaments have the function of supporting the neck but also allow for motion. Any type of inflammation, abnormalities, or injury, can lead to neck stiffness or neck pain.

There are a lot of people who experience neck stiffness or neck pain from time to time. There are many cases where it is caused by overuse or poor posture. There are however also many cases where an injury or a fall leads to neck pain. In most cases, neck pain isn’t considered to be a serious condition and can also be relieved within a couple of days. There are however also cases, where neck pain is an indicator of a serious illness or a serious injury and it must be treated by a professional. If you are suffering from neck pain that lasts for more than a week, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What are the causes of neck pain?
Neck stiffness and neck pain can occur due ...
... to many different reasons. One of them is muscle tension and muscle strain. This is typically caused by poor posture, sleeping with the neck in a bad position, working at a desk for too long without changing your position, or by jerking your neck while exercising. Sleeping position, in particular, can have a severe negative effect on the cervical spine. Failure to keep a neutral and relaxed body position during sleep is one of the major risk factors for chronic neck pain. Unlike side sleepers and back sleepers, those sleeping on their stomachs are highly subjected to strained neck muscles. That is because stomach sleepers typically turn their heads to the side, which causes their neck and spine to come out of alignment. However, individuals that sleep on their left or right side are at increased risk of developing shoulder pain due to excessive pressure on the shoulder joint. A neck problem can also be among the red flags indicating a poor quality mattress that isn’t aligning the spine properly.

The neck is a very vulnerable area, that is sensitive to injuries, especially during sports, in falls, or in car accidents. The muscles and the ligaments of the neck often have to move outside of their normal range in such cases, which can lead to damage to the neck area. In cases where the neck bones suffer damage, the spinal cord might also be damaged. A neck injury that occurs due to a sudden movement of the head is referred to as whiplash.

There are also cases where neck pain is a symptom of a heart attack, however, in such cases, it is often present along with other symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, vomiting, arm pain, or jaw pain. If you experience symptoms of a heart attack you must speak to the emergency room immediately.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissue, that has the function of surrounding the spinal cord and the brain. Some people have meningitis and suffer from a headache, and a fever, which is often accompanied by a stiff neck. Meningitis can be a serious and fatal condition, therefore it is a medical emergency. If you experience symptoms of meningitis, you must seek help immediately.

Other common causes of neck pain include conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cervical radiculopathy, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, herniated cervical disk, or age. In this case, it is better to visit the best spine surgeons NJ to define the exact cause of your pain and undergo popper treatment.

As we age, the cervical discs begin to degenerate. This condition is known as spondylosis or osteoarthritis of the neck area. This can lead to a narrowing of the space between the vertebra. It can also lead to added stress being put on the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to bone spurs, swelling of the joints, and pain. If it occurs near the neck area, it can lead to neck pain. Osteoporosis can weaken the bones and even cause small fractures. It is a condition that often affects the knees or the hands, however, it can also affect the neck area. Fibromyalgia is a condition that leads to muscle pain that is felt throughout the body, but especially in the shoulder region and neck area. A herniated cervical disk occurs if a disk protrudes due to trauma or injury, which can add pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Spinal stenosis is a condition that occurs in cases where the spinal column narrows and leads to added pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots. It can be caused by long-term inflammation, such as one caused by arthritis or by other conditions.

There are also rare cases, where neck stiffness or neck pain is caused by congenital abnormalities, tumors, infections, abscesses, or cancer of the spine.

Should you speak to a doctor about your neck pain?
In cases where you’ve been suffering from neck pain or neck stiffness for more than one week, you must speak to your healthcare provider about it. It is also important that you see your doctor if you suffer from fever, a headache, nausea, vomiting, difficulties breathing or swallowing, tingling, weakness, pain which radiates down the legs or arms, bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, or the inability to move the arms or the hands. It is also important that you seek medical care immediately after you have suffered a fall or an accident, which causes neck pain.

How is neck pain treated?
Visiting a medical center to determine the precise cause of the chronic pain in the neck is the first step toward successful treatment and recovery. After asking questions about your overall health and medical history, your doctor will perform certain tests to identify the culprit behind your symptoms. These may range from a physical exam to MRI scans and magnetic resonance imaging.

Depending on the cause of your neck pain, your doctor might refer you to a specialist. Treating neck pain can include a range of options. It can be helpful to take pain medication, corticosteroid injections, muscle relaxants, or antibiotics if you suffer an infection.

Ice and heat therapy can also be helpful, as well as stretching, physical therapy, exercise, wearing a neck collar, or traction. Hospital treatment might be required in cases where you’ve suffered a heart attack or suffered from meningitis. Surgery is rarely necessary in cases of neck pain.

There are also some alternative treatment options available, such as chiropractic treatment, massages, acupuncture, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. However, avoid undergoing any of these without specific medical advice from your doctor.

There are also some options, where you can help your neck pain with home remedies. You must make sure that you have good posture and avoid cradling the phone between the shoulder and your neck. Make sure that you change your position often and try not to stand or sit in one position for too long. If you suffer from neck pain, make sure to rest and not exercise strenuously until you experience relief from the pain. Before purchasing a new mattress, make sure to take a sleep trial to decide if it is comfortable enough. Try a special neck pillow for sleeping, as this might also help. If home treatments don't seem to help, make sure that you consult a medical professional.

Treat your neck pain with Redefine Healthcare
Because the neck is a complex structure composed of various muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding nerve pathways that control every part of your body, each case of neck pain should be assessed and addressed by a medical professional. Otherwise, you risk dangerous consequences by letting the problem persist.

The exceptionally trained medical staff of Redefine Healthcare can help improve the health of your cervical spine using innovative, personalized, and accessible treatment plans. We pride ourselves on delivering first-class medical care and being among the front runners for spine health in New Jersey. If you’re dealing with any type of neck problem or want more information on the services that we offer, visit one of our clinics today.

Greetings, my name is Monica. I graduated from New York Medical College and work as a nurse in Queens Hospital at the moment. The thing I love the most is morning jogging, because it is a wonderful way to keep myself in tonus. I like to communicate with people who care about their health. I became a vegetarian five years ago. Now my daily menu consists mainly of vegetables, fruits and different cheeses. I am a member of water polo team and I love gardening. I like to see how huge flowers grow out of the tiny petal, it dazzles me because I love spending my time outdoors. My goal is to visit all the USA parks, and then all over the world)