A large percentage of people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. The type of pain and its duration is what determines if the pain is serious or just a nuisance. Acute pain comes on suddenly and is gone in a few hours. Chronic pain usually indicates an underlying pathology, and that could be problematic.
Most neck pain occurs from poor posture resulting from computer use, incorrect driving positions or hunching over some work. This is easily corrected with a few changes in behavior and stance. When neck pain becomes sufficiently severe that it prevents you from doing normal daily activities, or you can only do them with a great deal of pain, it is time to check more thoroughly to see if there is a more serious cause. Your doctor will check to see if your neck pain is a result of one of the following.
Injury
Muscle strains and tears occur in the neck, especially if you have been in a motor vehicle accident. The most common cause of whiplash injuries, being rear ended by another vehicle, can lead to neck pain, head aches and some research has even associated untreated whiplash with fibromyalgia later in life. As the torn and damaged muscles heal they form scar tissue and that tissue can cause poor neck posture and balance. Neck injuries of this type should be treated as soon as possible after the accident by people with proper training. Braces, ice, massage and rehabilitation can make a tremendous difference.
Disc Problems
As we age the discs that separate the vertebrae become more fragile, making them increasingly likely to herniate. When a disc herniates the jelly like substance from within seeps out and occasionally puts pressure upon nerves that exit the neck. This can present as neck pain, headaches and numbness or tingling in the arms. These issues are often treated with anti-inflammatories, ice, rest, physical therapy and as a last resort, surgery.
Joint and Bone Damage
Aging is rough on the neck. Over time you may develop osteoarthritis, bone spurs and simple wear and tear upon the joints. Your neck is made up of 7 vertebrae, six discs, ligaments, tendons, muscles and more. It is a highly mobile area that is constantly making small adjustments to help you maintain your balance and be aware of the world around you. Eventually, that constant wear may turn into a problem. While usually connected with other things, like an injury, this too can be an origin for neck pain.
It can be difficult to tell when to go see your doctor if you are having neck pain. If you experience numbness or tingling down your arms, severe pain after an injury or a sudden loss of strength, it is imperative to see your doctor as quickly as possible. If you are sore, but getting along fine, nursing yourself with some OTC products, ice and perhaps heat is likely to be enough. Chiropractic care may also be an option to consider if you can get a good referral from a friend. Neck pain is at best inconvenient and at its worse are real problems. Get it taken care of if it lasts too long.
