Neck Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention Measures

Neck pain is a common complaint. Poor posture can strain the muscles in your neck, whether it results from leaning over a computer or hunching over your work desk. Osteoarthritis is also a common cause of neck pain. In some rare cases, you may experience neck pain as a sign of a more severe condition. If you have neck pain that does not heal after a few weeks, you should consider visiting a doctor specializing in treating neck pain in Shrewsbury. For more information on neck pain, read below.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of neck pain are relatively consistent among different patients. You may experience pain that gets worse when you hold your head in the same position for a long time, muscle spasms and tightness, reduced range of motion in the neck, and a headache.

You should seek emergency medical services if you experience neck pain due to an injury resulting from a car accident or a fall. And also, if you have neck pain that persists for several days without getting better, it is accompanied by numbness, tingling, a headache, or spreads down the legs or arms. Most cases of neck pain go away on their own or with home treatment. If not, you should see a neck pain specialist.

Causes

Your neck is flexible, and it offers support to your head; thus, it is susceptible to injuries and conditions that restrict motion and cause pain. Common causes of neck pain include:

• Muscle strains due to overuse, such as spending a long time hunched over a smartphone or computer. Even minor activities such as gritting your teeth or reading in bed can strain the muscles in your neck.
• Worn out joints. Just like the other joints, the joints in your neck can wear down due to age. Osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes the cartilage between your vertebrae to deteriorate. In response, your body forms bone spurs that impact joint motion resulting in neck pain.
• Nerve compression. Bone spurs or herniated discs in the vertebrae of your neck can put pressure on neighboring nerves branching from the spinal cord.
• Injuries. Auto accidents often cause whiplash injuries which come about when your head jerks backward then forward, straining the soft tissues in the neck region.
• Diseases. Some diseases such as meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer are common causes of neck pain.

Prevention

Since most cases of neck pain stem from poor posture and wear and tear due to age, keeping your head centered over your spine can help prevent neck pain. You can also prevent neck pain by using the correct posture, taking regular breaks while working, adjusting your work desk, chair, and computer, avoiding carrying heavy items over your shoulder, and sleeping in the correct position.

In summary, neck pain is a common complaint caused mainly by poor posture that strains the muscles in the neck. Common symptoms include pain that worsens when you hold your head in the same position for long, muscle tightness and spasms, and reduced range of motion. Common causes include muscle strains, worn-out joints, nerve compression, injuries, and diseases. You can prevent neck pain by maintaining the correct posture.