These days a number of children complain about neck pain. The causes of this pain need to be looked at, so as to be sure, that it is not a symptom of some serious underlying problem.

Till about a few years ago, only seniors complained about neck pain. Then even youngsters joined the bandwagon. Now the trend has worsened, and even children have started complaining about neck pain. The number of complaints in children are increasing at alarming rates. This article will help narrow down the causes of this, and will provide simple methods of treatment for the same.

Causes

Pain in the front of the neck is often due to sore throat or swollen lymph node; however this pain is not included in the 'neck pain'. The causes may be as follows.

• Strain: Strain can be caused due to a number of reasons, even watching television for a long period of time can cause strain.
• Meningitis: It is the main cause of the pain in children. Children find it difficult to look down at their stomach, due to which they refuse to look down totally. The lining of the spinal cord is connected to that of the brain and looking down puts strain and causes severe pain.
• Poor Posture: It is the another common cause. Children are seated on their desks for very long period of time, they tend to slouch. These days they play indoors on their gaming stations more and often slouch while doing so as well. The posture they have when they use the computer is also not correct, causing pain in the neck. Sometimes, while sleeping, the wrong pillow causes strain on the spine, which leads to neck pain. There are many children who round up their spine, when they sleep. This can put immense pressure on the spinal cord, and give rise to pain in the neck.
• Pressure: The weight of school bags is usually too much to carry. The weight puts strain on the muscles in the neck and shoulders giving rise to pain.
• Falls: Many times, while playing, children fall down and hurt themselves. While playing outdoor games like soccer, there are chances of the child running into another player, or falling hard on the ground, and injuring himself in the process. Falling off the skateboard, bikes, etc., can also cause injury giving rise to neck pain. If your child has played on the trampoline, you may want to rule out a trampoline injury. Not diving in water properly while swimming, can hurt the neck as well.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: There is a belief, that rheumatoid arthritis can only affect the older people, however it is not so. It is an auto-immune disease, which can affect old, young, and children alike. If your child has had fever, inflammation of the joints, and fatigue along with the neck pain, you may want to take your child to the pediatrician to verify the cause of the problem.
• Stress: Are you a parent, who often tells your child, that you are stressed? Have you ever thought whether your child is stressed as well? Today, children are stressed too, as they have to perform well in class, handle peer pressure, and also they have to please their parents. This is an angle you may want to look into as you try to identify the cause of the neck pain in your child.

Treatment

First, confirm that your child is not suffering from meningitis. In such a case, you will have to show your child to the pediatrician. Once you rule this out, you may try the remedies mentioned below.

If the child is agonized with pain, you may want to give the child some pain killers. This will reduce the pain, and stop muscle spasm as well. Cold and hot compress can also be used on the neck of the child, however, remember not to leave the cold compress for too long, else it may cause a frost bite. If you have noted that the sleeping position of your child is not correct, you may have to buy the right pillow to support the neck, and alleviate the problem. Till your children have neck pain, do not allow them to do any exercise. However, after the pain has gone, make sure your child stretches, and relieves the strain that he has accumulated.

To find what is causing the neck pain in your child, you will have to make a note of the child's daily activities. This will help you in narrowing down the cause of the pain and treating it effectively.