The most common cause of pain in the neck is strained muscles or the tendons that support the neck and prevent us from moving the neck too far. However, there are many other reasons for neck pain of which we need to be aware. First aid may be needed for neck pain caused by injury such as whiplash from a car accident. This type of injury can cause extreme pain and can be life threatening in some cases. Chronic neck pain is often the result of a degenerative disc disease and the affects of the aging process.

Meningitis

Training classes like HIPAA Compliance Training teach us the importance of immobilizing a patient with a neck injury. However, there are other causes of pain like those mentioned above or others like meningitis, which is an infectious, painful disease that can be life threatening as well. Symptoms include...

* Fever
* Headache
* Stiffness in the neck that is as extreme as to prevent side-to-side motion or the ability to touch the chest with the chin.
* Severe muscle spasms
* Pain severe enough to require emergency assistance

A Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve in the neck could be a symptom of a spinal injury or arthritis and must be watched carefully. It is common for this to be misdiagnosed as a heart problem as pain can shoot down the arm or mimic a heart attack with tingling or numbness in one arm and hand. While a pinched nerve is not an emergency, it should be treated as one because of the symptoms.

Posture Is Important

There are also environmental factors that can be linked to extreme neck pain. An uncomfortable bed or pillow that is unsupportive or too high for the head could cause neck pain. The wrong type of chair, which someone occupies for long periods of time, can cause problems in the neck. Exercise is important to maintain the muscles in the neck that help to support the head and posture. If your neck hurts when you wake up in the morning, try one or more of the following remedies to prevent future occurrences.

*A firmer mattress may help. If you cannot afford a firmer mattress, try placing a sheet of firm plywood under your current mattress.
*Forego use of a pillow or try one that is more suitable for your size.
*Fold a good towel into a strip approximately four inches wide and wrap it around your neck while you sleep.

Exercise Your Back And Neck

If you have poor posture, it could be contributing to daytime neck pain. Make sure your chair is at the right height for typing and keeps your elbows at a 90-degree angle. Stand with your back and heels against a wall and try to place your entire back against the wall. These exercises will stretch the muscles in your back. Do these four times a day. It may help to alleviate your neck pain. Gently try to squeeze your shoulder blades together four to six times a day, holding the position for 15 to 30 seconds. Gently move your head forwards, backwards, and side to side several times each day, especially before the beginning of any shift that will have you sitting for any length of time. These exercises should help strengthen your neck and the back muscles that support it.