The cervical spine is an interesting
and complex structure. It is capable of supporting a head weighing 15 or more
pounds while moving in several directions. No other region of the spine has
such freedom of movement! This combination however, complexity and mobility,
make the neck susceptible to pain and injury.
The causes of neck pain vary. Injury
and accidents as well as the natural aging process are the two most common
causes of neck pain.
Whiplash is a common injury
sustained during an auto accident. This is typically termed a hyperextension
and/or hyperflexion injury because the head is forced to move backward and/or
forward rapidly beyond the neck's normal range of motion. A motion such as a whiplash
is one injury that can result in a significant amount of pain to someone’s
neck. The unnatural and forceful movement affects the muscles and ligaments in
the neck. The muscles will react by tightening and contracting creating muscle
fatigue resulting in pain and stiffness.
Degenerative disorders such as
osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease are known to
affect the spine. These conditions, while not entirely unheard of in younger
individuals, occur most commonly in seniors.
Osteoarthritis
is a common joint
disorder causing progressive deterioration of cartilage. The body reacts by
forming new bone termed osteophytes (bone spurs) that impact joint motion.
Spinal stenosis causes the foramen,
small neural passageways, to narrow possibly compressing and entrapping nerve
roots. Stenosis may cause serious neck, shoulder, and arm pain and numbness
when these nerves are unable to function normally.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) can
cause the intervertebral discs to become less hydrated, resulting in decreased
disc elasticity and height. Over time, a disc may bulge or herniate causing
upper extremity pain, tingling, and numbness.
Everyday life can, unfortunately,
impact your spinal health over time. Poor posture, obesity, and weak abdominal
muscles disrupt the spine's balance often causing the neck to bend forward to
compensate. Not to mention, stress and emotional tension can cause muscles to
tighten and contract resulting in pain and stiffness.
Although neck pain is commonly
caused by strain, prolonged pain and/or neurologic deficit may be an indication
of something more serious. These symptoms should not be ignored at any point in
time. Spinal infection, spinal cord compression, tumor, fracture, and other
disorders can occur. If head injury has been sustained, more than likely the
neck will be dramatically affected as well. It is wise to seek medical
attention promptly.
What
are the symptoms of cervical neck pain?
If there is any numbness, tingling, tenderness, sharp shooting
pain, fullness, difficulty swallowing, pulsations, swishing sounds in the head,
dizziness or lightheadedness, and lymph node (gland) swelling. Depending how
bad the condition is, sometimes neck pain is accompanied by upper back and/or
lower back pain, as is common in inflammation of the spine from ankylosing
spondylitis.
How
can cervical neck pain be treated?
The treatment of neck pain depends
on its precise cause. Treatment options include rest, heat or cold
applications, traction, soft-collar traction, physical therapy (ultrasound, massage,
manipulation), local injections of cortisone or anesthetics, topical anesthetic
creams, topical pain-relief patches, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and surgical
procedures.
Home remedies for treatment, include
Jacuzzi treatment, neck pain relief exercises and stretches, and neck pain
relief products such as neck pillows for sleep and hot pads can be very
beneficial for relief of some forms of chronic neck pain. There are various
treatment options, depending on the particular neck problem and past treatment
experiences. There is also the option of alternative treatments that have been
used for chronic neck pain that include acupuncture.
What
is the recovery process?
Take things easy. If you're like most people, you probably live a busy,
hectic life. If you're living with cervical neck pain and have increased pain
from injury or muscle pain, it's important to temporarily ease back on intense
activities. While you are resting, find a comfortable position, preferably one
that causes you the least amount of neck pain. You can place a rolled up towel or
a pillow under your neck to help keep your neck in a neutral position. Resting
doesn't mean crawling into bed and remaining perfectly still, however. Staying
immobile for more than a day or two actually can be harmful because it can
decondition the muscles that support your neck and actually increase neck pain
in the long run. While your neck is in a healing stage, adjust your activity
level to what you can comfortably handle. As you improve, it’s best to
gradually increase your activity level back to normal.
Stretching can actually enhance the
neck’s strength and give it flexibility. Once you have permission to perform a
few stretching exercises from your doctor, do so. It's best to perform these
exercises after warming up muscles with a warm shower, bath, or towel.
Exercising is proven to be an
effective way to treat neck pain. It's also important to keep active in
general. 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (walking, biking, swimming) every day
can improve blood flow, nourishing your spine to keep it healthy. Speak to your
doctor, physical therapist, or a personal trainer with expertise in working
with people with neck pain to determine the right exercises for you.
Lastly, keeping a good posture is
crucial and you should think about how you sit throughout the day. When sitting
at the computer or watching television, don’t lean forward or stress your neck
by looking downward at your cell phone.
Why wait another day to get rid of any neck pain
you may have? Neck pain can impact all aspects of your life so getting prompt,
effective care is key. At the South Texas Spinal
Clinic in San Antonio, there are
certified and trained physicians who are capable of treating patients with the
right care and treatment they may need.
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