Neck Pain Specialists in Moncton - Find Long-Term Relief
Neck Pain, Its Causes, Related Symptoms, And Ways To Manage It
A pain-free neck is just like the relaxed, untroubled, and carefree times of our childhood — we don’t appreciate it until we lose it or it’s gone. The neck comprises a coordinated system of nerves, bones, joints, and muscles. It has the critical job of providing support and mobility to the head.
Neck pain can make life miserable and affect your social life, family time, and work productivity. It can occur for many reasons, often involving nerve irritation in the neck. As a result, the pain may also radiate into the shoulders and arms.
While it may go away after a few weeks, pain that continues for months could signal an alarming problem that needs immediate medical attention. In some cases, quick intervention may be necessary for the best results.
Symptoms Additional To Neck Pain
Neck pain presents with muscle tension or spasms. It often radiates from the neck towards the upper back and shoulders. The pain may worsen if you hold your head in a single position for extended periods, like if you are a dentist or use the computer for longer. You may also not be able to move your head in different positions.
If you have neck pain, you might also experience the following symptoms:
- Pain in the neck or shoulders
- Stiffness and loss of neck mobility
- Headache
- Nausea and dizziness
- Tingling or numbness
- Weakness
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Causes Of Neck Pain
Conditions that may result in neck pain include:
- Degenerative conditions: Many degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis (wearing down of joint cartilage) and spinal stenosis (reduction of the spaces in the spine), can lead to severe neck pain as you age.
- Injury: Unexpected neck or head trauma, such as whiplash injury, can cause neck pain and discomfort. These injuries affect the muscles, joints, ligaments, vertebral discs, or nerve roots in the spinal cord in the neck.
- Physical strain: Excessive use of neck muscles can result in neck pain and stiffness. Some conditions, such as obesity, weak muscles, sleeping in the wrong position, and sitting for extended periods in front of the computer, can significantly impact your spine posture and contribute to neck pain.
- Abnormal Growths: In some cases, abnormal growth, such as bone spurs, tumors, and cysts, can also result in neck pain.
Other health conditions that may cause neck pain include meningitis, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment of Neck Pain
The treatment aims to relieve pain and restore normal neck functions. Some treatment options for neck pain include:
- OTC medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help relieve pain and reduce inflammation
- Muscle relaxants to help you relax and facilitate the healing
- Osteopathy, such as stretching and strengthening exercises for the muscles and tendons of the neck
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (a commonly used medical procedure to manage chronic pain)
- Traction to help reduce pain with the use of inflatable devices.
- Steroid injections help relieve pain and inflammation.
- Surgery to repair the injured or compressed spinal discs
In addition, the following tips can help you lessen neck pain at home:
- Using heat or ice packs.
- Exercising
- Taking a rest
The Takeaway
Neck pain can occur for many reasons, including trauma and degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. While it can significantly impact your quality of life, the good news is that at-home and medical treatment options can help you eliminate it. Talk to your doctor immediately if your pain worsens or does not respond to home remedies.
