Are you experiencing pain in the area of your neck but aren’t sure why? Neck pain can be pretty distressing and can affect your life. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way.
To help, we will look at some of the most common causes of neck pain. Knowing what these are can help you get the relief you’re after.
Keep reading to better understand what neck pain is and why it may be happening to you.
1. Posture
Poor posture includes slouching, sitting or sleeping in an abnormal position, carrying too much weight with one’s head, or leaning forward while sitting or standing. Poor posture can cause muscles in the neck to become overworked.
This can lead to painful muscle spasms, soreness, and inflammation. Practical solutions to improving posture include having a supportive office chair, wearing proper footwear, and performing basic stretching and strengthening exercises that target the neck and upper back muscles.
2. Muscle Strain
This can result from lifting heavy objects incorrectly or engaging in physical therapy or recreational activities that put extra strain on the muscles.
It can also result from a sudden jerking motion when the neck is hyperextended, such as during a motor vehicle collision. Treatment typically includes rest, anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy to help restore normal muscle tone.
3. Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition where the joints become inflamed and swollen. This can affect any of the joints in the neck, leading to pain, stiffness, and restricted movement. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types seen in the neck.
This can affect joints between the bones of the spine, cartilage, and soft tissues. Treatment focuses on relieving and managing pain and stiffness, balancing activity and rest, maintaining average body weight, using assistive devices if needed, and making modifications at work and home.
4. Disc Problems
Disc problems can occur due to trauma, prolonged bad posture, accidents, or age-related degeneration. Chiropractor services can be used to help manage and treat the pain associated with disc problems.
By using adjustments, hands-on manipulation, and other treatments, a chiropractor can help restore alignment, reduce inflammation, and relieve pressure on the discs and nerves. The focus is on restoring motion to the spine and promoting the body’s natural healing processes.
5. Whiplash
It is caused when the head is suddenly jerked forward and then backward in a rapid movement, which can strain muscles and ligaments in the neck. Neck pain symptoms can include pain in the back of the neck, difficulty turning the head and movements, headaches, stiffness and limited range of motion, numbness and tingling, and dizziness.
Whiplash can also cause long-term damage. This includes things such as chronic neck pain and degenerative disc disease. In other cases, it can result in long-term limitations of neck movement.
Treatment for whiplash is typically done using physical therapy, pain management medications, or alternative treatments such as acupuncture. It is important to seek medical attention immediately after any neck injury to prevent long-term damage.
Everything You Need to Know About the Causes of Neck Pain
Neck pain can stem from many causes, such as poor posture, long-term computer use, muscle strain, and disc problems. Taking preventive measures, such as exercising regularly, maintaining good posture, and limiting computer use, can help to reduce your risk for neck pain.
If you’re currently experiencing neck pain, talk to your healthcare provider for further explanation about the causes of neck pain and more treatment options.
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