Cervical Neck Pain - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

1
Cervical Neck Pain

• Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
• Source - http//healthfirstmagazine.blogspot.com/2
  016/08/cervical-neck-pain-causes-symptoms-and.html
  

2

• 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.

3
common causes of neck pain

• 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.

4

• 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.
• 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.

5

• 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.

6
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
• 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.

7
How can cervical neck pain be treated?

• 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.

• The treatment of neck pain depends on its precise
  cause

8
Home remedies

• Jacuzzi treatment
• neck pain relief exercises
• stretches
• 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

• Home remedies for treatment include-

9
What is the recovery process?

• 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.

• 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,

10

• While your neck is in a healing stage, adjust
  your activity level to what you can comfortably
  handle.
• As you improve, its best to gradually increase
  your activity level back to normal.
• Stretching can actually enhance the necks
  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.

11

• 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, dont 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.

12
Note-This Article is originally appeared on
http//healthfirstmagazine.blogspot.com/2016/08/ce
rvical-neck-pain-causes-symptoms-and.html