Neck Pain

Overview

Neck pain is a common condition that can cause discomfort, stiffness, and limited mobility in the neck and shoulders. It can occur in people of all ages and is often caused by poor posture, injury, or overuse of the neck muscles.

The neck, also known as the cervical spine, is made up of seven vertebrae that are connected by muscles, ligaments, and nerves. When any of these components are injured or damaged, it can cause neck pain.

Symptoms

Neck pain symptoms can significantly vary depending on the cause and severity.

Common symptoms of mild neck pain include:

• Neck muscle stiffness causing restricted movement

• Pain that increases due to poor posture or sitting/standing for long periods

• Increase in pain caused by specific actions or activities

Following are the signs of severe neck pain that necessitate medical attention:

• Neck pain with tingling sensation, numbness/weakness in arms or hands

• Radiating pain into a shoulder or arm

• Stinging neck pain experienced in a specific area

• Neck pain accompanied by a headache

Causes

There is a long list of neck pain causes ranging from as simple as poor posture to something as life-threatening as a heart attack.

Let’s check out the wide array of neck pain causes:

• Muscle strain caused by incorrect neck posture

• Neck injury or trauma

• Heavy exercise with incorrect posture

• Osteoarthritis

• Herniated slipped disc pressing on nerves

• Various spinal disorders

• Degeneration of neck joints due to ageing

• Meningitis (Inflammation of thin tissue surrounding the brain & spinal cord)

• Heart attack

Diagnosis

After enquiring about your symptoms & medical history, the healthcare provider will conduct a thorough physical examination to inspect for muscle weakness, numbness, tenderness and range of motion without pain.

Diagnostic Scans & Tests

One or more of the following imaging scans or tests could then be carried out to help detect the underlying cause of neck pain:

X-Rays

With the help of x-rays, the healthcare provider can find out neck regions where the spinal cord/nerves could be affected by bone spurs, a herniated disc, etc.

CT Scan

A CT scan can generate detailed images of the neck structures to help identify any abnormalities.

MRI

An MRI will provide detailed information about the soft tissues (spinal discs, nerves, etc.) and bones inside the neck.

Electromyography (EMG)

EMG is the go-to diagnostic scan for diagnosing a pinched nerve that could be causing neck pain and also check health of muscles & nerves present in the neck region.

Blood Tests

In some cases, the healthcare professional may opt for blood tests to detect inflammation/infections that could be the reason behind the neck pain.

Treatment

If you're one of the millions of people suffering from neck pain, finding effective treatment options can be a top priority. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available that can help alleviate your pain and get you back to your normal activities. In this article, we'll explore some of the most effective and popular treatment options for low back pain.

1. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Overcome Your Lower Back Pain with the 100% Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Treatment!

USA-patented technology for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Treatment has successfully treated 3500+ patients suffering from various spinal disorders without surgery.

Backed by the USA Journal of Clinical Research, it’s much better than other treatment options like surgery, steroid injections & painkiller medications due to the following benefits:

• 100% Non-Surgical Treatment

• No Medicines or Injections

• No Hospitalisation

• No Side Effects & Faster Recovery

• No Post-treatment Physiotherapy

• Safe without Risks linked with Surgery/Anesthesia

• Lifelong Pain Relief at Fraction of Surgery Cost

• Proven & Patented Technology Since 1994

• Helped Avoid 4000+ Surgeries Globally

• Effective as per USA Journal of Clinical Research

2. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can be a highly effective way to treat low back pain. A qualified therapist will work with you to develop a personalized exercise program that can improve your flexibility, strength, and range of motion. They may also use techniques like massage or heat therapy to help relieve your pain.

3. Medications: Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate mild to moderate back pain. For more severe pain, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications like muscle relaxants or opioids. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully when taking any medication.

4. Injections: In some cases, injections of corticosteroids or other medications may be recommended to help alleviate low back pain. These injections are usually given directly into the affected area, and can provide long-lasting relief.

5. Surgery: While rare, surgery may be necessary to treat low back pain in some cases. This is typically reserved for cases where other treatments have failed or where there is a specific structural problem that is causing the pain.