Neck Pain

WHAT IS NECK PAIN?

Let’s not miss any chance of understanding the anatomy of our very own body and also why do we suffer from different types of aches. To acknowledge each of these in detail, let us dwell deeper about what exactly is neck pain?

Your neck is made up of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the upper torso. Cervical discs absorb shock between the bones. The bones, ligaments, and muscles of your neck support your head and allow for motion. Any sort of inflammation, abnormalities, or injury can cause neck pain or stiffness. Moreover, neck pain is not considered any serious condition and can be relieved within a few days or weeks. But again, if you are experiencing such pain for more than a week or so, then it is said to be somewhat severe or is accompanied by other symptoms, then it’s highly advised to seek medical attention straight away.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of neck pain are seen to be ranging in severity with duration. More often neck pains are observed to be acute and last for only a couple of days or weeks. But sometimes, it can also be chronic. Your neck may be mild and not interfere much with your activities or daily living, or it may be severe and may cause disability. Now let us know what all the symptoms of neck pain are:-

•  Sharp pain- Sensation of sharp pain or stabbing-like pain that is localized to one area.
  
• Stiff Neck- People with neck pain often describe feeling as though their neck is “stiff” or “stuck”. Neck pain can sometimes cause a degraded range of motion.
  
• Headache- Pain that starts in your neck may also lead to a headache called a cervicogenic headache which may be a symptom for the same.
  
• The pain may increase if your cervical spine is palpated (physically examined).
  

Causes

Neck pain is usually caused by our daily activities and behavior which include

•  Poor Posture
  
• Working at a desk for too long without either changing position or improper postures
  
• Sleeping with your neck in a bad position
  
• Jerking off your neck during exercise
  

Diagnosis

A doctor will perform a physical exam and take your complete medical history. Be prepared to tell them about the specifics of your symptoms. Also, let the doctor know about all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements you’ve been taking.

Even if it doesn’t seem related, let your doctor know about any recent injuries or accidents you’ve had, too.

Treatment for neck pain depends on its cause. In addition to a thorough history and physical exam by your doctor, you may also need one or more of the following imaging studies and tests to help your doctor determine the cause and make a diagnosis:

• blood test
  
• X-ray
  
• CT Scan
  
• MRI Scan
  
• Electromyography, which allows your doctor to check the health of your muscles and the nerves that control your muscles
  
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
  

Treatment

• Heat & ice therapy
  
• exercise, stretching, and physical therapy
  
• pain medication
  
• Muscle relaxants
  
• neck collar
  
• antibiotics if you have an infection
  
• hospital treatment, if a condition such as meningitis or heart attack is the cause
  
• surgery, which is rarely necessary
  

You can also refer to these links to know more about neck pain :

Mayo Clinic - Link

Cleveland Clinic - Link

Author

Dr. Om Prakash Gupta(MBBS, MS)

Orthopedics (Bones & Joint)