NECK PAIN

Neck Pain

Neck Pain :

Neck pain or CERVICALGIA is a common problem, with two-thirds of the population having neck pain at some point in their lives.

Neck pain can occur anywhere in your neck, It can spread to your upper back or arms. It may limit how much you can move your head and neck.

Symptoms:

• Pain that occurs from the bottom of your head to the top of your shoulders.Pain may spread to the upper back or arms.
• Pain that is worse with movement.
• Limited head and neck movement.The neck may be stiff or tender.
• Headaches.These are common and may persist for months.
• If your neck pain is long-lasting (Chronic), it may be difficult to cope with daily life. Common side effects of chronic pain include fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

Cause:

Neck Pain can be caused by an ACTIVITY or INJURY that arms the neck or by another MEDICAL condition.

• ACTIVITIES THAT CAUSE NECK PAIN:

1. Holding your head in a forward or odd position for long periods of time while working,reading,watching TV,or talking on the telephone.
2.  Sleeping on a pillow that is too high or too flat or doesn't support your head, or sleeping on your stomach with your neck twisted or bent.
3. Spending long periods of time resting your forehead on your upright fist or arm("thinker's pose").
4. Work or exercise that uses the upper body and arms, such as painting a ceiling or other overhead work.

• INJURIES THAT CAUSE NECK PAIN:

1.  Minor injuries may occur from tripping or falling a short distance or from excessive motion of the cervical spine.
2. Severe neck injuries may occur from Whiplash in a car accident,falls from significant heights, direct blows to the face or the back or top of the head,sports-related injuries,a penetrating injury such as a stab wound,or pressure applied to the outside of the neck, such as Strangulation.

• MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE NECK PAIN:

1.  Infection or tumor in the neck area.
2. Conditions associated with increasing age and arthritis of the neck.
3. Illness such as MENINGITIS and the FLU.

 Exams And Tests:

• Blood tests may be done to check for an illness or infection.
• If you have no signs of a serious condition or recent injury,imaging tests, such as x-rays,may not be needed at first.
• Imaging tests that may be used to evaluate neck pain include:
• x-rays,which help to evaluate the bones and joints of the neck.
• Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),which helps to evaluate the spinal cord and nerve roots.MRI is helpful in identifying a herniated disc and nerve root impingement.
• Computed tomography(CT) scan,which helps to evaluate the bone and spinal canal.
• Myelogram,which can provide further details of the spinal canal and nerve roots.

 Medications :

• Creams or gels, such as Bengay, that are rubbed into the neck.
• Acetaminophen,such as Tylenol,which reduces pain.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,including aspirin,ibuprofen,or naproxen,that can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
• Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because of the risk of Reye Syndrome.

Home Treatment :

Even if you need medical treatment such as prescription medicines for your neck pain,the following home treatment measures will help speed your recovery.
For Sudden(acute)neck pain:

• Try using a heating pad on a low or medium setting for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3hours.
• Avoid activities such as lifting and sports that make pain and stiffness worse.Gently massage or rub the area to relieve pain and encourage blood flow.Do not massage the injured area if it causes pain.

Other Treatment :

Other types of treatment for neck pain may help relieve your symptoms, restore movement, and strengthen the muscles around your spine to help prevent further injury.

Other types of treatment include: 

• Physical therapy. At home, you can use heat and massage to improve blood flow.
• Cervical (neck) collars, which may be used for short periods of time to help reduce pain by restricting neck movement.
• Traction, a technique used to stretch the neck and relax the spinal nerve root openings.
• Low-level laser therapy uses targeted light energy to decrease pain and promote healing.

Complementary and alternative treatments: 

Alternative Treatments are sometimes used to relieve pain and restore neck mobility. They include:

• Manual therapy, such as that found in massage and physical therapy and in chiropractic and osteopathic treatments. The goals of manual therapy include relaxation, decreased pain, and increased flexibility.
• Yoga, a program of exercises to help improve flexibility and breathing, decrease stress, and maintain health.
• Acupuncture, which is done by inserting very thin needles into the skin. Acupuncture is used to relieve pain and to treat many health conditions.

What to Think About :

Although the effectiveness of some of these treatments has not been proved, they seem to be helpful for some people and may relieve stress and improve quality of life.

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