| Oh! Pain in the Neck?! | | | | the back or top of the head, sports-related injuries , |
| Neck pain, at times, can become pain in the neck' | | | | a penetrating injury such as a stab wound, or |
| quite literally. People who have experienced neck pain | | | | pressure applied to the outside of the neck, such as |
| alone know how painful the neck pain can turnout to | | | | strangulation. |
| be. | | | | Pain from an injury may be sudden and severe. |
| Neck is one of the most flexible regions of the spine, | | | | Bruising and swelling may develop soon after the |
| which consists of vertebrae, seven shock absorbing | | | | injury. Sudden (acute) injuries can result in strain and |
| discs, muscles, and vertebral ligaments to hold them | | | | pain in the neck, dislocation of the spin, or a ruptured |
| in place. The uppermost cervical disc connects the | | | | disc. |
| top of the spinal column to the base of the skull. The | | | | Medical conditions that cause neck pain |
| spinal cord, which sends nerve impulses to every part | | | | 1. Neck pain may be |
| of the body, runs through a canal in the cervical | | | | caused by or related to medical conditions such as: |
| vertebrae and continues all the way down the spine. | | | | 2. Cervical Spinal |
| What Causes neck pain? | | | | Stenosis |
| Most people experience neck pain at some point in | | | | 3. Cervical Spondylosis |
| their lives. Neck pain can be acute, lasting for few | | | | 4. Illnesses, such as |
| hours or a few weeks, or it can be chronic. Neck pain | | | | meningitis, which cause inflammation around the |
| that lasts several weeks or longer is considered | | | | tissues of the |
| chronic neck pain. | | | | brain and spinal cord. |
| Neck pain can be caused by an activity or injury or | | | | 5.Chronic conditions such |
| by a medical condition. Your head and neck region is | | | | as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or |
| vulnerable to many different stresses. Bad posture | | | | ankylosing |
| can cause misalignment of your neck, head, and | | | | spondylitis |
| spine. Car accidents can cause whiplash. Age and | | | | Torticollis (wryneck): Torticollis iscaused by severe |
| wear and tear can cause arthritis. Even activities such | | | | muscle tightness or a shortened muscle onone side |
| as chewing gum and reading in bed and cause pain. | | | | of the neck, causing the head to be tilted to one |
| How do we avoid these potential problems? And if | | | | side. |
| we can’t avoid them, how can we recover as | | | | Referred pain: Referred pain occurs whena problem in |
| quickly as possible. | | | | one place in the body causes pain in anotherplace. For |
| Non-specific neck pain | | | | example, a problem with your jaw or your heart |
| Many people develop a stiff and painful neck for no | | | | cancause neck pain. |
| obvious reason. It may happen after a minor twisting | | | | Infection or a tumor in the neck area. |
| injury, for example while gardening. Since the | | | | Signs and Symptoms |
| underlying cause for this type of neck pain is not fully | | | | Neck pain takes many forms. Signs and symptoms of |
| understood hence it is called ‘non-specific neck | | | | neck pain may include: |
| pain’ Having non-specific neck pain does not | | | | 1. Pain in your neck that may be |
| mean that your neck is damaged. Often it happens in | | | | sharp or dull |
| people whose necks would appear completely normal | | | | 2. Stiffness in your neck |
| under an x-ray. It is the most common type of neck | | | | 3. Difficulty going about your daily |
| pain and disappears after a few days. | | | | tasks because of pain or stiffness in |
| Activities that cause neck pain | | | | your neck |
| Neck pain mostly is caused by activities that result in | | | | 4. Shoulder pain in addition to neck |
| repeated or prolonged movements of the neck’s | | | | pain, in some cases |
| muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, or joints. This can | | | | 5. Back pain in addition to neck pain, |
| result in a strain(an overstretched or overused | | | | in some cases |
| muscle), a sprain (injury to a ligament), a spasm of | | | | Help yourself to prevent neck pain |
| the neck muscles, or inflammation of the neck joints. | | | | Take frequent breaks: Don’t sit in one place for |
| 1. Holding your head in a forward or | | | | a long time, such as your car or at your desk. |
| odd position for long periods of time | | | | Arrange some of the items in your office that cause |
| while working, reading, | | | | inconvenience. This will force you to get up, stretch |
| watching TV, or talking on the telephone. | | | | or walk around. |
| 2. Sleeping on a pillow that is too | | | | Maintain good neck posture:Adjust the seat of your |
| high or too flat or doesn’t adequately | | | | computer or desk chair so that your hips are slightly |
| support your head, or | | | | higher than your knees. Your head and neck will |
| sleeping on your stomach with your neck twisted | | | | naturally follow in the correct position. While traveling |
| or bent. | | | | in a car, airplane or train, place a small pillow or rolled |
| 3. Spending long periods of time | | | | towel between your neck and a head rest to keep |
| resting your forehead on your upright fist | | | | the normal curve in your neck. |
| or arm. | | | | Avoid too many pillows: |
| 4. Work that uses the upper body | | | | Avoid sleeping with too many pillows or falling asleep |
| and arms, such as painting a ceiling or | | | | in front of the television with your head on the arm |
| other overhead work. | | | | of a couch. |
| Injuries that cause neck pain | | | | Exercise: Treat your body to a consistent regimen of |
| The Spine consists of interlocking bones(vertebrae) | | | | stretching and strengthening to balance your muscle |
| and discs that separate the vertebrae. The portion of | | | | groups. This protects your neck as well as helping |
| the spine that runs through the neck is known as the | | | | your whole body. Walking at any pace is excellent |
| cervical spine. Muscles and ligaments in the neck hold | | | | exercise for your neck. The rotation of the spine |
| the cervical spine together. Injury to any of these | | | | provides a great natural workout for the neck |
| structures may result in neck pain. | | | | muscles. |
| Minor injuries may occur from tripping or from | | | | Eat smart and Drink water: |
| excessive motion of the cervical spine. Severe neck | | | | Good nutrition and staying well hydrated are not only |
| injuries may occur from whiplash in an accident, falls | | | | important to stay healthy, but vital in the healing |
| from significant heights, direct blows to the face or | | | | process. |