Overview
Neck pain/cervical pain is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain.
The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae that support the weight of the head and allow for its movement. Neck pain can originate from various structures, including the muscles, ligaments, discs, nerves, or joints in the neck region. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting), and its intensity may vary from person to person.
Symptoms of Neck Pain (Cervical Pain)
Neck pain may present with the following symptoms:
- Stiffness and limited range of motion
- Muscle tightness or spasms
- Sharp or stabbing pain
- Dull, aching pain
- Radiating pain into the shoulders, hands or arms
- Headaches, including migraines
- Numbness or tingling in the neck or upper extremities
- Weakness in the arms or hands
Causes of Neck Pain (Cervical Pain):
Factors contributing to neck pain include:
- Poor posture: Maintaining an incorrect posture for extended periods of time, like slouching and hunching over a desk, strains the neck muscles, leading to pain.
- Muscle strain: Overuse, repetitive motion, or sudden excessive force applied to the neck muscles can cause strain and subsequent pain.
- Whiplash: Sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly associated with car accidents, may result in neck pain.
- Herniated discs: Discs between the vertebrae act as shock absorbers. When a disc ruptures or herniates, it compresses nearby nerves, leading to neck pain.
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear of the cervical spine's joints can result in osteoarthritis, causing neck pain and stiffness.
- Spinal stenosis: This narrowing of the spinal canal because of age-related changes or conditions like arthritis leads to nerve compression and neck pain.
- Trauma or injury: Falls, sports-related injuries, or direct blows to the neck can cause neck pain.
- Tumors: Certain tumours involving the muscles, vertebrae, dura, nerves or spinal cord in the region of the neck can cause neck pain
Types of Neck Pain (Cervical Pain):
Neck pain can be categorised into two main types:
- Acute neck pain: It typically lasts for a short duration, often resulting from muscle strain or minor injuries.
- Chronic neck pain: Pain that persists for more than three months. It may be a result of underlying conditions such as herniated discs, osteoarthritis, or spinal stenosis.
Diagnosis of Neck Pain (Cervical Pain):
To diagnose the cause of neck pain, healthcare professionals may perform the following:
- Medical history assessment: Understanding the patient's symptoms, history of injury, and occupation can provide valuable insights.
- Physical examination: Examination of the neck's range of motion, muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation can help identify the source of pain.
- Imaging tests: X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans can provide detailed images of the neck structures to identify abnormalities or underlying conditions.
- Electromyography (EMG): It evaluates nerve function and can identify any nerve-related causes of neck pain.
Neck Pain (Cervical Pain) Treatment:
The treatment approach for neck pain aims to alleviate pain, improve function, and address the underlying cause. Common treatment options include:
- Pain management: Over-the-counter pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alleviate mild to moderate neck pain.
- Physical therapy: Exercises, stretches, and manual techniques prescribed by a physical therapist strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and promote healing.
- Heat or cold therapy: Applying heat or cold packs to the neck helps reduce inflammation, ease pain, and promote relaxation.
- Medications: In certain cases, stronger pain medications and muscle relaxants could be prescribed to manage severe neck pain.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections could be recommended as they reduce inflammation and pain in certain areas of the neck.
- Neck collars or braces: Temporary use of neck collars or braces can provide support and stability, particularly after acute injuries or surgeries.
Prevention of Neck Pain (Cervical Pain):
To prevent or minimise the occurrence of neck pain, consider the following:
- Maintain proper posture: Sit and stand with your back straight, avoiding slouching or hunching over.
- Ergonomic adjustments: Ensure your workspace, including your chair, desk, and computer setup, is ergonomically designed to promote good posture.
- Take breaks: Avoid prolonged periods of sitting or performing repetitive tasks. Take regular breaks to stretch and move around.
- Exercise and strengthen: Engage in regular neck and upper body exercises to improve strength and flexibility, promoting better support for the neck.
- Lift correctly: When lifting heavy objects, use your leg muscles, not your neck and back, to prevent strain.
- Manage stress: Practice meditation or deep breathing exercises since stress contributes to muscle tension and neck pain.
Review
Reviewed by Dr. Kapil Jain - Principal Consultant – Neurosurgery, Neurosciences, Spine Surgery, Paediatric (Ped) Neurosurgery.
Second Opinion for Cervical Pain
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