As with most other parts of the body, the neck is susceptible to injury and normal wear and tear. Most people experience neck pain at some point or another. While some neck pain may only last for a short period of time, it may also be chronic, lasting for several weeks or more.
Strains and Spasms
The neck muscles can become very fatigued and strain or spasm due to overuse and lack of stretching. Daily habits such as looking up at a computer screen, hunching over, and sleeping on one's stomach can all eventually lead to strained neck muscles. This can lead to chronic neck pain or even refer pain to other parts of the body. A person with chronic headaches, for example, may actually have underlying neck problems.
Joint Wear
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mainly affects the cartilage. Healthy cartilage covers the ends of bones within a joint to help absorb shock, but cartilage affected by osteoarthritis wears away and bones begin to rub together. If the neck has been affected by osteoarthritis, it may experience pain, stiffness, swelling, and/or loss of motion. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, but it may occur more in older people and people who have previously had joint injuries and deformities, and people who are overweight.
Disk Problems
With age, the disks between the vertebrae lose some of their most helpful qualities. For example, they become dry and stiff with age, losing some of their cushioning qualities and potentially causing nerve pain. They also can become herniated (meaning that the disk's inner cartilage comes out through the disk's tougher covering) potentially causing neck pain or some nerve irritation. Moreover, tissues or bone spurs (growths on the bones) can put pressure on nerves and cause pain.
Injuries
Neck pain can stem from various injuries. Whiplash is one common neck injury. It occurs when the head is rapidly jerked back and forward (or vice versa,) causing the tissues in the neck to stretch beyond their natural limits. Automobile accidents are often what lead to whiplash injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic, but whiplash may also be related to sports activities. Fractures in the bones (bone breaks) are also commonly caused by automobile accidents and athletic activities. Bone breaks in the neck must be taken very seriously because they could also mean spinal cord injuries, leading to paralysis.
Treatment
The type of treatment used for neck problems and pain depends entirely on what is causing them to begin with. Some pain may disappear on its own, while other pain may require chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, or even surgery. Slight muscle pain is usually no cause for alarm, and some basic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen,) ice, topical creams, and rest can alleviate most of it.
Warning
Do be aware that neck pain should not be taken lightly if it is accompanied by more serious symptoms. For example, neck pain may be caused by a serious condition known as meningitis (swelling and irritation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord) or it may be a side symptom of a head injury. Contact a doctor if the affected person is experiencing confusion, sensory problems, pain behind an eye, fever, strong headache or backache, a rash, or muscle weakness in the arms and legs.
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