8 Neck Problems: When You Need To See A Doctor

By Author: Monica Quinn
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Have you ever slept in an odd posture and woke up with a neck so stiff you couldn't look down to tie your shoes or spent a whole day bent over a desk only to stand up and realize how much it pained your neck? If you did, you probably stretched, took some medications, and prayed that the discomfort would go away by morning — or at least by the end of the week.

In addition to bad posture and sleeping postures, there are numerous more reasons for neck pain. Neck pain can be caused by injuries, chronic disorders, or even catastrophic occurrences. If you’re unsure what’s causing your neck pain or suspect it could be a serious injury or chronic disease, it’s time to make a Google search “best pain management doctor Brooklyn”.

Here is the list of the most common causes of neck pain:
Tech Neck
Because many people in today's environment glance down at their phones or electronic devices, tech (or text) neck is an informal term for neck pain and stiffness induced by continual staring down.

The ...
... average human head weighs 10 to 12 pounds, and gazing down exerts 50 to 60 pounds of pressure on the neck. Excessive pressure, particularly when applied over long periods, can cause neck pain.

Stress or Tension Headaches
Headaches can also cause neck pain. These types of headaches are frequently caused by high levels of mental stress or prolonged muscle strain.

Muscle Sprain or Strain
A strained or sprained muscle in the neck is another typical source of pain. These strains can result from sports injuries, awkward sleeping or sitting positions, carrying heavy objects, or even rapid movements that put too much strain on the neck muscles.

Whiplash Injury
Whiplash is an injury caused by violently whipping the head back and forth or side to side. This action stretches the neck's muscles, vertebrae, nerves, and ligaments, which can cause discomfort and stiffness. Whiplash can occur when the neck is violently "whipped" about, most typically as a result of an automobile collision. It can also occur in contact sports, such as football.

Osteoarthritis
Although you may not realize it, your joints consist of more than just one hinge. The bones in your joints are protected by cartilage, a tough tissue. This cartilage protects the places where two or more bones contact, preventing them from rubbing together and injuring one another.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic illness that most commonly affects the middle-aged and elderly. When the cartilage between the joints wears down over time, becoming thin and worn, it causes friction between the bones as they move.

Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is the number one cause of musculoskeletal pain in the United States. While the exact causation of fibromyalgia is unknown, symptoms may be precipitated by an emotionally or physically distressing incident, or they may appear gradually with no obvious explanation.

This ailment causes chronic, widespread muscle pain, sleep disturbances, memory issues, exhaustion, and tenderness in specific areas of the body, including the neck.

Nerve Compression
Your nerves are responsible for your ability to detect bodily sensations such as temperature, touch, and pressure. If a nerve becomes squeezed between bones or other tissues, it can cause abrupt, unexpected pain. Pinched nerves in the neck can be caused by spinal compression, cartilage degeneration over time, or a slipped disc.

Spinal Tumor
A tumor is an abnormal lump of tissue formed by cells reproducing too rapidly. Tumors are divided into two categories: benign and malignant.

A benign tumor may continue to develop, but it will not spread to surrounding tissue. It is harmless until it grows too large or interferes with other vital functions.

A malignant tumor, on the other hand, will infect other tissues and may move to other areas of the body via lymph nodes or circulation. Malignant tumors are generally malignant and lethal if left untreated.

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)