Neck Pain

What is Neck Pain?

Neck pain in medical terms is also known as cervicalgia that everyone experiences once in their lifetime. Around two-thirds of the population complains of neck pain in the short or long term. Over 14% of Americans also have complaints of neck pain. Furthermore, neck pain is a type of pain that people experience in regions of the neck and upper back. Also, the neck is a collection of several structures that connect the head to the torse. During times of neck pain, a person experiences discomfort and pain in the neck and upper back.

Neck pain also affects the brainstem, brain, and cervical spinal cord and if it remains untreated it can also lead to alteration of the brainstem or brain nerve impulses. It further brings effects that can be dramatic and far-reaching. Neck pain also ranges from mild to severe and it can also stay for a long time in some individuals. Furthermore, neck pain is a symptom of several mild issues like stressing heavy medical issues like neck cancer. It is also important to know about this condition properly so that you can prevent and treat those underlying issues in time.

What are the Signs of Neck Pain?

Neck pain is a common issue that can affect many people at large and during neck pain, a person may show signs like:

Muscle feels very tight around the neck
Neck muscle spasms
You’re unable to move your head
Headaches
Pain in the neck region gets worse at long work time
Unable to keep head still and steady for a long time
That region feels weak
Tingling sensation in neck regions
Neck soreness
Sharp pain
Radicular pain
Difficulty to move the neck from a particular angle
Experience pain if they try to turn their head from side to side
Any activity can make the pain go worse
Fever or chills

When to Seek Medical Help for Neck Pain?

In most cases, neck pain can also be a sign of several underlying issues. Furthermore, in rare cases, it can be a sign of serious issues like neck cancer. Also, it can be a sign that is associated with traumatic injury due to driving accidents or falls. Moreover, neck pain resolves on its own or with home remedies. But in some cases, it can be serious that you need to consult the doctor soon. So, here are some signs that you need to consult a doctor and get medical help for neck pain issue as follows:

Muscle feels weak for a long time
Shooting pain into the should or down an arm
The issue does not resolve despite taking over-the-counter pain relief medicines
Home remedies do not work on it
Pain starts to spread down to your arm or legs
There is long-term headache, weakness, tingling, and numbness in the neck region
If the neck pain is severe or unbearable
Pain does not get relief and it is persisting for several days unusually
The pain starts to get worse over time
If the symptoms remain for more than three months
Starting to lose bladder control
Burning and sharp pain exists for a long time even after taking medicines
Stretching neck muscles is not helpful
Neck pain leads to sleeping problems

Is there a link between Psychological Conditions and Neck Pain?

If a person exhibits a higher level of mental health problem, it gradually also start to show physical symptoms. A person experiences mild symptoms that include neck pain, and back pain at moderate to severe levels. Also, neck pain is a symptom of anxiety as this condition causes muscle tension that eventually causes pain in the neck regions.

Other mental illnesses like chronic stress, depression, and bipolar disorder can also lead to symptoms like neck pain and this psychogenic pain can be acute or chronic. Also, increasing levels of neck pain can occur due to worsening mental health. Additionally, stress causes conditions like headaches, mood swings, and fluctuations in weight that also include back and neck pain. But people tend to overlook neck and back pain as stress symptoms.

What are the Causes of Neck Pain?

Neck pain is a cause of several underlying physical and psychological conditions as follows:

Meningitis
Head and neck cancer
Retropharyngeal abscess
Epiglottitis
Acute coronary syndrome
Spondylosis
Spinal disc herniation
Physical and emotional stresses
Spinal stenosis
Poor posture for a long time
Minor or major injuries like falls, or car accidents
Pain from the back region spreading to the neck area
Overuse of muscles
Nerve pinches
Whiplash
Poor sleep posture
Using improper pillows and mattresses
Torticollis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Head injury
Congenital cervical rib
Carotidynia
Mononucleosis
Other cancer types
Rubella
Ankylosing spondylitis
Esophageal trauma
Cervical spine fracture
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Thyroid trauma
Lymphadenitis
Tracheal trauma
Muscle strains
Smoking
Warning out of joints with age
Compression of nerves
Disk hernia
Bone spurs
Rear-end auto collisions
Aging
Obesity or overweight issues
Tumors
Cysts

How to treat Neck Pain with Home Remedies?

Neck pain can also be very challenging as it can affect your day-to-day life and make disrupt your physical other activities on daily basis. So, here are some home remedies and tips that you can carry out to prevent or treat neck pain as follows:

Apply ice or heat packs
Stretch to release and make your neck muscles less stiff
Take over-the-counter pain relief medicines
Avoid sudden movements that can cause whiplashes or jerks in the neck regions
Massage your neck and upper arms
Limit physical activities that require neck involvement for a while
Sleep in a proper position
Use proper and comfortable pillows and mattresses
Maintain proper posture
Avoid or quit smoking
Reduce and avoid stress
Cope up with your anxiety
Practice yoga and meditation
Take a break from work and rest well to recover and reduce stress
Exercise regularly
Be observant of how long you sit as it can lead you to a stiff neck
Develop an ergonomic workplace
Use mobile phone and computer screen at proper neck angle
Hold your phone at eye level
Take a short break if you start to notice neck pain
Avoid driving for a long time without taking breaks
Take sufficient sleep and rest
Apply Lavender oil with acupressure
Consume or apply ginger and its oil
Use turmeric, camphor, devil’s claw
Use a soft neck collar
Do not sleep on your empty stomach
If neck pain persists even after you try home remedies then you should go and treat your condition to the doctor.

What are the Medical Treatment Methods for Neck Pain?

Mostly, pain relieving medicines are given for neck pain that may come under the generic or prescription category that includes:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Acetaminophen
Naproxen sodium
Tapentadol
Ibuprofen
Carisoprodol

Steroid injections that contain drugs like lidocaine for numbing pain

Other methods to treat neck pain includes:

Physiotherapy
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Surgery
Acupuncture
Cervical epidural steroid injection
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Trigger point injection
Chiropractic

Conclusion

Neck pain in medical terms is also known as cervicalgia that everyone experiences once in their lifetime. Furthermore, neck pain is a type of pain that people experience in regions of the neck and upper back. Also, the neck is a collection of several structures that connect the head to the torse. Neck pain also affects the brainstem, brain, and cervical spinal cord and if it remains untreated it can also lead to alteration of the brainstem or brain nerve impulses. It further brings effects that can be dramatic and far-reaching.

Neck pain also ranges from mild to severe and it can also stay for a long time in some individuals. In most cases, neck pain can also be a sign of several underlying issues. Furthermore, in rare cases, it can be a sign of serious issues like neck cancer. Neck pain is a cause of several underlying physical and psychological conditions. Neck pain can also be very challenging as it can affect your day-to-day life and make disrupt your physical other activities on daily basis. So, there are some home remedies and medical treatments for neck pain available as well.

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