Pain Management


Neck Pain: What are its Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Treatment?


By S.I. (staff writer) , published on April 16, 2021



Medicine Telehealth Health NECK pain


The neck is the part of our body that connects the trunk with the head. Therefore, the neck pain can travel either way to involve the head or the body. There is a huge number of conditions affecting the neck and resulting in pain. The cause can either be benign like tensed neck muscles due to prolonged straining, overextension of the neck, or more severe like a whiplash injury [1]. The neck is a sensitive region, and its pathology adversely affects the quality of life. Whatever the reason behind neck pain is, it is best to consult the neck pain doctor for in-time management of disease and preventing complications.

The neck pain is treated by medical, surgical, and alternative methods. The best non-invasive treatment option for various types of pain including neck pain is the chiropractic adjustment, performed by a neck and back chiropractor. To prevent permanent damage to your neck, visit a neck chiropractor or neck pain specialist near you as soon as possible.

 

 

 

What are the Symptoms of Neck Pain?

Neck pain usually presents with numerous accompanying symptoms giving a clue of the underlying cause. These include [2]:

  • Constant aching neck
  • Neck stiffness
  • Neck soreness
  • Numbness and tingling in upper arms
  • Movement difficulty in upper arms
  • Headaches
  • Pain in arms

 

 

What are the Causes of Neck Pain?

Following conditions can result in an aching neck [3]:

  • Prolonged straining
  • Cervical herniated disc
  • Cervical radiculopathy
  • Cervical spondylosis       
  • Sleeping in an uncomfortable position   
  • Muscle strain
  • Untreated accidents & traumas

 

 

Types of Neck Pain:

Neck pain is classified according to its cause. It can be muscular, neurological, or because of the problem in cervical joints. Following are the types of neck pain [4]:

  • Muscle pain
  • Nerve pain
  • Referred pain
  • Facet joint pain
  • Bone pain

 

 

Temporary Pain Relief:

Taking plenty of rest with appropriate neck position and pain killers provides immediate temporary pain relief. Ice packs also reduce the intensity of pain. Gentle stretching exercises and massaging also help with muscle spasms and decrease pain.

 

 

Treatment Options for Neck Pain:

Mild neck pain usually responds well to self-care and rest. For excruciating pain, the following options may help [5]:

     Medical treatment:

  • Pain killers, muscle relaxants, and tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) provide immediate pain relief.
  • Collar support for neck muscles is an instant aid too.
  • Neck pain that occurs because of malpositioning of the neck improves with correction of posture.
  • Heat and ice packs and electrical stimulation can also help manage neck pain.
  • Steroid injections reduce the severity of pain and reduce inflammation.

 

 

    Surgical treatment: Surgical decompression of pinched nerves is necessary for chronic severe pain.

 

 

    Chiropractic treatment:

It is the safest, non-medical, and non-surgical approach to manage neck pain successfully. It works by applying manual traction, manipulative techniques, and the massage that releases tension in the neck muscles. The spinal cord adjustment restores joint mobility. Apart from this, the chiropractor suggests some neck strengthening exercises, posture maintaining tips, and resting for some days to help recover from pain quickly.

 

 

 

 

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907992/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK338120/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907992/#:~:text=Aetiology%2F%20Risk%20factors&text=Most%20uncomplicated%20neck%20pain%20is,cervical%20spondylosis)%20are%20more%20likely.
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27846187/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723111/




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