Neck pain is any discomfort or aches in your neck. If the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding your neck become irritated or inflamed, you may experience pain and stiffness. Poor posture, osteoarthritis, and injuries from falls or accidents are the common causes of neck pain. In most cases, neck pain Red Bank is not a severe problem and eases gradually with home remedies. If your neck pain lasts for several days without relief, becomes unbearable, and causes headache, numbness, or tingling, contact your doctor. In extreme cases, neck pain can hinder you from doing your daily duties or cause disability.
Causes of neck pain
Aging: Degenerative problems like osteoarthritis, which wears down your joint cartilage, can cause neck pain. Spinal stenosis, a condition where the spaces in your spine narrows, can lead to neck pain as you age.
Injury: Trauma from suddenly moving your neck can cause pain and soreness. Accidents and falls can cause neck injuries. Trauma injuries affect the muscles, ligaments, discs, vertebral joints, and nerve roots in your neck.
Mental stress: Tension can tighten your neck muscles, causing neck pain and stiffness.
Physical strain: Repetitive or strenuous activities can make your neck muscles overused, leading to stiffness and pain.
Issues that affect spinal balance: Poor posture when working on your computer or digital devices for prolonged periods can contribute to neck pain.
Growths: Although rare, tumors, cysts, and bone spurs can lead to neck pain.
Medical conditions: Health conditions such as meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer can cause neck pain.
Diagnosis of neck pain
Physical examination: Your doctor will feel and move your neck to detect pain and motion issues. A physical exam can also help the doctor check your muscle strength and reflexes.
Medical history: Your doctor can ask whether you have had previous neck injuries. The doctor can also ask about the job you do that could affect your neck.
Imaging tests: X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) can help diagnose the cause of your pain. These imaging tests can show problems in your neck bones and surrounding tissues.
Nerve tests: Electromyography, myelogram, and nerve root block can show the source of your pain. These tests focus on your spine discs, the spine, nerves functioning, and muscle response.
Treatments for neck pain
The treatment technique your doctor uses will depend on the cause of your neck pain. There are many treatments for neck pain, including:
Medications: Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs help to reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical therapy: Your doctor can guide you on the best stretching exercises to strengthen your neck muscles and tendons. You can move your head side to side and up and down daily to reduce stiffness.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): This treatment involves your doctor using a low-level electrical current over the affected area to disrupt nerve pain signals, easing pain.
Injections: Steroid injections near the affected nerve roots can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Surgery: Your health care provider can recommend surgery to repair compressed spinal discs or fuse vertebrae in your spine.
Severe neck pain can lead to disability, so seek immediate medical care to avoid complications. Schedule an appointment at Downtown Pain Management for neck pain treatment to ease your pain and stiffness.
