Neck Pain and Injuries
Living in the city, many people will have neck pain one time or another. Neck pain can be cause by an injury, or wear and tear problem. Neck pain and injuries can be cause by sports, work or at home.
Neck pain causes stiffness to your neck. Neck pain can radiate to the shoulders, upper back or arms and sometimes headache. Range of movement for your neck will be limited.
The neck anatomy has
- bones and joints of the cervical spine that forms the vertebrae
- jelly-like substance called the discs that separates the cervical vertebrae and act as shock absorber when you move
- muscles and ligaments that hold your cervical spine
Neck pain can be cause by an injury to the above region.
Activities that cause neck pain
Neck pain is commonly caused by strain to the neck or spasm to the neck muscles or inflammation in the neck joints.
Activities that are more likely to cause neck pain are:
- Holding your neck in a forward position while at work, watching tv or reading.
- Sleeping with a pillow that is too high or too flat and causes your head to bend awkwardly when you sleep.
- Long hours in a “Thinker’s pose”. Resting your forehead in your fist.
- Stress. Muscles at the back of the head will become tense and tight.
- Overwork of your upper body and arms.
Neck pain cause by acute neck injuries
Minor acute neck injuries may result from fall or repeat twisting of the neck. Severe neck injuries include, road traffic accident, fall from heights, sports injuries or direct impact injury to the neck.
You will experience severe pain or swelling shortly after the injury to the neck.
Acute neck injuries include:
- Sprain or strain to the ligaments of the neck
- Fracture or dislocation of the cervical spine
- Spinal cord injury
- Ruptured disc in the cervical spine
- Whiplash injury
Seek immediate specialist attention if you feel numbness or difficulty in moving your arms or legs.
Neck pain cause by other medical conditions
Neck pain can also cause by other medical conditions like:
Neck pain treatment
Treatment to your neck has to depends on the severity of the condition.
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Anti-inflammatory injection
- Muscle relaxants
- Surgery for severe neck pain condition