If you suffer from neck pain, you are not alone. Neck pain is a common condition, affecting somewhere between 30 and 50 percent of Americans. It is not very surprising that the neck is prone to aches and pains, because it is a delicate part of the body, yet has to support the heavy weight of the head. Neck pain can disrupt your daily activities, but treating it is often uncomplicated. Here, we take a look at the various causes of neck pain, and how it is best treated.
What Causes Neck Pain?
The causes of neck pain are typically musculoskeletal or nerve conditions. In some cases, though, neck pain can be caused by an illness or trauma.
Musculoskeletal Causes of Neck Pain
- Neck strain can happen when the muscles are overstretched or torn as the result of an injury or everyday stressors. This kind of pain is sharp at first and then becomes a dull ache.
- Whiplash happens when the muscles or ligaments are overstretched or torn. This occurs when a force causes the neck to hyperextend suddenly and then hyperflex quickly. Whiplash can be the result of a car accident, contact sports, or physical abuse. It causes muscle spasms in the neck and shoulder, a loss of flexibility and range of motion, an inability to move the neck, and a headache.
- Cervical spondylosis, or osteoarthritis of the neck, is the result of wear and tear on the neck’s joints and cartilage. It can happen as you age, especially if you have a job that involves repetitive neck motions or heavy lifting, you smoke, have a family history of the condition, or are obese. Sometimes bone spurs develop as the cartilage wears down, and this can compress the nerves that run down the spine, causing numbness, tingling, and shock sensations in the arms and shoulders.
- Cervical discogenic pain occurs because of changes to the structure of the discs in your neck. These discs cushion your neck bones, and if they are injured or worn, they can cause an aching burning pain when you turn or tilt your head, or pain and odd sensations in the neck, arm, and shoulder. This condition can also cause headaches, a grinding feeling in the neck, weakness in the extremities, numbness in the shoulders, arms, or hands, balance issues, bladder or bowel control problems, muscle tightness and spasms, and pain that gets worse when you hold your head in one position.
- Myofascial pain can happen because of a neck injury or poor posture. It is a deep, aching pain that often comes in the form of trigger points.
- A neck fracture can happen during a major trauma. This is a serious issue that can cause not only severe neck pain but also bruising and swelling. It can also damage the spinal cord, leading to paralysis or even death.
Nerve-Related Causes of Neck Pain
Nerve-related neck pain often goes along with musculoskeletal neck pain.
- Cervical radiculopathy is pressure on a nerve from a herniated or degenerated disc. This can cause aching or burning in the neck, arm, shoulder, or between the shoulder blades, and sometimes pain in the chest, breast, or face. It can also cause numbness, weakness, and a pins-and-needles sensation in the arms.
- Central cord syndrome is damage to the spinal cord due to a neck injury, tumor, or cervical spondylosis. It is a more serious condition than radiculopathy because it can cause weakness, numbness, difficulty walking, loss of bowel or bladder control, and sexual dysfunction.
Other Neck Pain Causes
- Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that line the brain and spinal cord. It can cause a stiff neck, sudden fever, severe headache, double vision, light sensitivity, confusion, drowsiness, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes, seizures. Some forms of meningitis can be deadly.
- Cervical spine infections from bacteria, fungus, or tuberculosis can be very serious. These infections cause constant pain, along with neck stiffness, weakness, numbness, a low-grade fever, chills, and night sweats. A person with a cervical spine infection may not be able to open his or her jaw or breathe easily and may have a sore throat and trouble swallowing.
- Head and neck cancers can cause neck pain. Other cancers can, too, if they metastasize into the cervical spine.
- A cervical artery dissection is a tear in the wall of the vertebral or carotid artery, and it can be life-threatening. It can lead to a stroke as well as cause pain in the neck, face, and head, a small pupil and drooping eyelid on one side, double vision, a whooshing sound in one ear, loss of sense of taste, weakness on one side of the body, dizziness, and vomiting.
How to Relieve Neck Pain
The good news is that neck pain often responds to a combination of therapies, including medication and physical therapy. In fact, some neck treatments can be done at home.
- Apply ice and heat. If your neck is sore or injured, applying a cold pack for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, four times a day, for two or three days can help alleviate pain and decrease inflammation. After the ice, moist heat, like a warm shower, can help loosen tight muscles and make you feel better.
- Ask about medication. Some neck pain responds well to over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Your doctor might also recommend a muscle relaxant, and for severe pain, you may need prescription pain relievers or steroids. If your neck pain is the result of meningitis or a neck infection, it may require antibiotics, anti-viral, or anti-fungal medication, administered through a vein. Cervical artery dissection is often treated with an antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication, and then surgery.
- Try physical therapy. A physical therapist can recommend specific exercises to strengthen your neck muscles, improve their range of motion, and alleviate pain.
- Consider complementary therapies. Some people find relief from therapies like massage, acupuncture, or biofeedback, as well as trigger point injections.
- As with many conditions, prevention is often the best cure. It is not always possible to prevent neck pain, but you can minimize your chances of trauma or injury by following a few simple precautions. Pay attention to your posture and take breaks if you are looking at a computer all day. Actively work to reduce stress, through mindfulness, meditation, and other relaxation techniques. Protect yourself by wearing a seat belt in a car, and protective gear when engaging in sports, and never dive into shallow water. Make sure your home is free of trip hazards and consider changing your sleeping position if you tend to wake up with a stiff neck.
When to See a Doctor
If you have neck pain that is interfering with your daily life, call your doctor and make an appointment. It is especially important for you to be seen if over-the-counter medications aren’t helping and the neck pain hasn’t gotten better after a week. However, you should seek immediate medical condition if your neck pain:
- Begins after an accident
- Happens alongside a loss of control over your bladder or bowels
- Does not get better or worse, whether you are moving or staying still
- Comes with a headache, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting
- Involves numbness, tingling, or weakness in your limbs
- Occurs alongside chills, fever, or unexplained weight loss
A healthcare provider will be able to find the right treatment to alleviate your neck pain. In certain situations, you may require surgery. The three surgeries done for neck pain include the removal of a damaged disc and fusion of the vertebrae, artificial disc replacement, and removal of the bone, bone spur, and surrounding tissues, to fix a pinched nerve. In the case of a dissected cervical artery, an angioplasty may be done with or without stent placement, and this requires a cardiologist or vascular surgeon. [MDB4]
Let the Experts at Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Treat Your Neck Pain
Known today for providing comprehensive, specialized care for patients of all ages, Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics started as a small sports medicine clinic for high school athletes, back in 1983. Under the guidance of Dr. Thomas A Brady, the father of Central Indiana sports medicine, this independent, physician-owned orthopedic surgical practice grew to include a variety of sub-specialists before moving to Carmel in 1995. Today, the Carmel clinic is one of four locations, serving patients from across Indiana, with over 20 physicians and dedicated staff members providing patients with exceptional treatment, as well as actively serving their communities. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us through our website.
