Neck pain is called cervicalgia and is described as a pain in or around your neck under your head. Neck pain can be acute, lasting for a few days, or chronic, lasting longer than months. The leading cause of neck pain is poor posture, and the good news is that in most cases, it can be improved and managed easily with some regular treatments such as exercise, physiotherapy, painkillers, and stress management.
There are many reasons for causing neck pain, such as agitation in the nerve pathway in the neck, shoulder, head, arm, and hand. Further, pain in the spinal cord can trigger pain in the neck, legs, and other areas.
Aging can also lead to pain in the neck, similar to like pain. In all other body parts, as with age, there is normal wear and tear of the muscles, leading to neck pain called Cervical spondylosis.
What are the symptoms of neck pain?
Neck pain can be minor, as it can easily be ignored, and significant, as it can interfere with your daily activities, such as your ability to concentrate and sleep. Highlighted below are the common symptoms of neck pain:
- Chronic pain that lasts for more than four weeks
- Pain that occurs after staying in one position especially keeping your neck in one position, such as during driving
- Muscles Spams
- Headache
- Pain in arms and shoulders
- Stiffness in neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Neck pain traveling to the back side of your head, into your ears, and behind your eyes
What are the causes of neck pain?
The significant causes of neck pain are highlighted below:
Muscle Strains
Long hours of sitting without any breaks or movement in front of the computer or on a smartphone can trigger or put pressure on muscles.
Neck joints tend to wear and tear off with age, leading to pain in the joints and neck.
Age Factor
With age, it is normal for joints to wear and tear down as a part of your cervical spine degenerates, causing neck pain.
Physical Strain
Poor posture, weak muscles, being overweight, and strenuous activities can all lead to stiffness in neck muscles, thereby contributing to neck pain.
Stress
Stress can lead to the tightening of muscles, leading to neck pain and stiffness in the muscles near your neck area.
Injury
Any injury in or near your neck can damage the muscles, ligaments, discs, vertebral joints, and nerve roots and can be a leading cause of pain in the neck and spinal cord.
How to manage and prevent Neck Pain?
The most common cause of neck pain is having poor posture followed by age wear & tear of muscles. Many treatments will help you manage and prevent neck pain, and the leading causes of neck pain can be addressed at home or by improving posture. Highlighted below are some simple changes that you may consider to relieve some of your symptoms of neck pain:
Posture Management
Managing your posture is essential as when you are standing and sitting, your shoulders should be in a straight line over your hips, and when sitting in front of the screen, keep your head up and sit straight and look straight into the device than bending down your neck.
Short and Frequent breaks
In cases of long sitting office hours or traveling to long distances, you should get up in between and take breaks after every half an hour. You can also do stretching of your neck and shoulders. Additionally, you can adjust your desk and computer to keep them at eye level, and you should not lift heavy bags on your shoulders as they can strain your neck.
Use a small pillow under your neck to ensure that your neck is aligned with your body. Further, lying down on your back with keeping your thighs elevated with the pillows will keep your spinal muscles flat.
Maintain Your Activity
Staying physically active and doing some regular exercise to stretch the muscles before and after the straining physical activity.
You may book an appointment with a physiotherapist as they are trained in exercises and movements that strengthen your muscles and improve your overall flexibility.
What are the home remedies to manage Neck Pain?
Other than taking medical advice, you can also take some steps to ease the neck pain:
Hot Bottle Therapy
Place a hot bottle, hot towel, or heating pad on your neck for a few hours daily. This helps loosen the muscles and promotes blood flow.
Cold Bottle Therapy
Apply ice packs for 10-15 minutes daily at the impacted areas; this will help reduce inflammation and swelling. You can also take ice packs every few hours, depending on the severity of the pain.
Exercise and Physiotherapy
You can do some of the exercises as recommended by your healthcare professionals to relieve neck pain and improve the motion in the neck area. You can also book in-home physiotherapy sessions with a physiotherapist.
Stress Management
Undue stress can trigger neck pain or can make it worse. Therefore, it is essential to manage your stress levels by doing yoga and meditation, as it may relieve neck pain.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written after performing in-depth secondary research related to the topic from various articles, blogs, and journals with expertise in writing for healthcare. The content presented on this page should not be considered a substitute for medical expertise. We suggest you book an appointment with the doctor for any doubts about cervical or neck pain.
