Various kinds of neck pain might impact adjacent tissues such as muscles or nerves. Every one of them has a unique cause and potential treatment.
Neurological or muscular injuries can cause neck pain. Yet, it could also originate from areas of your body close to your neck.
Continue reading to find out about the various kinds of neck discomfort, how to treat them, and when to contact a doctor for a diagnosis or additional care.
Types of neck pain
These are the various forms of neck pain.
Nerve neck pain
Cervical radiculopathy is another term for nerve discomfort in the neck.
It is brought on by the pressure of a slipped or bulging disc on a nerve. This may occur following an injury or when your joint tissue ages and becomes less strong.
Usually, on the same side that your neck hurts, your arm will also hurt or tingle.
Muscle and ligament injury neck pain
The most prevalent cause of neck pain resulting from an injury to a muscle or ligament is whiplash.
When your neck is abruptly jerked back and forth, whiplash occurs. Because of the intense motion involved, this may cause injuries to the muscles and ligaments. Whiplash injuries are frequently sustained in collisions in cars or sports.
Common whiplash symptoms include:
- pain
- headaches
- dizziness
- stiffness
Muscle spasm neck pain
A neck muscle spasm occurs when one or more muscles tense without you having to flex or contract them; this is frequently caused by pressure or tension on the neck, stress, or dehydration.
Muscle spasms typically cause abrupt, severe pain. When you move your neck, it may get worse or irritate.
Facet joint neck pain
Facet joint neck discomfort arises from injury or irritation to your cervical facet joints, which are cartilage and fluid-filled joints located between your vertebrae. Degeneration of the spine is frequently the cause of this kind of discomfort.
When you move your head or neck and put tension on the joint, the dull, agonising pain that you often experience with facet joint neck pain intensifies.
Referred neck pain
Referred neck pain is a type of neck discomfort that originates from another part of your body. The following are a few typical sources of transferred neck pain:
- earaches
- heart or chest pain
- upper GI tract pain
- headaches
- mastoid infections
Bone neck pain
When a neck bone is impacted, it might cause bone-in-neck pain. Conditions including arthritis, spinal stenosis, or trauma can all contribute to this.
Achy, deep-seated bone discomfort frequently worsens substantially at night. Numbness or tingling feelings can also be brought on by cervical stenosis pain.
How are the types of neck pain treated?
These are the various ways that neck pain can be treated.
Home remedies
The following are some at-home treatments for neck and muscle pain:
- using heating pads
- taking a warm shower
- extending yourself or performing gentle workouts like yoga
The following are some at-home treatments for neck discomfort caused by nerves or bones:
- resting your neck
- adjusting your posture while sleeping or sitting
Medications
The majority of neck pains can be relieved by the following over-the-counter or prescription drugs:
- muscle relaxers
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- ibuprofen (Advil)
Medical treatments
For severe or persistent neck discomfort, medical interventions may involve:
- physical therapy recommended by a physician and carried out by a physical therapist, such as traction therapy for discomfort in the muscles and nerves
- putting on a gentle cervical collar, generally just temporarily
- antibiotics for infection-related pain
- admission to the hospital for serious ailments
- surgery to remove tumours or malignant tissue, cure damaged tissue, and mend deteriorated discs
When to contact a doctor
Seeking medical assistance is advised if you have:
- intense burning or stinging neck pain
- loss of vision
- ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- symptoms that don’t improve
- inability to fall asleep (insomnia)
- mood changes
- extreme tiredness
- decreased range of motion
- nausea
- chest pain
- fevers or chills
- head pain
- dizziness
- memory loss
How do doctors diagnose the types of neck pain?
A physical examination will probably be conducted by a doctor to assess your range of motion and symptoms. If necessary, they could place an order for:
- blood tests
- myelograms
- nerve conduction tests
- imaging tests, like computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
FAQs
How do you know if neck pain is muscular or not?
You could find it difficult to move your neck, especially to one side, if it is uncomfortable. This is frequently described as having a stiff neck. You may experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm, hand, or other areas if your neck discomfort is caused by nerves, such as when a muscle spasm pinches on a nerve or when a slipped disc presses on a nerve.
Can sitting too much cause neck pain?
In randomised crossover research, participants in good health experienced greater axioscapular muscle activation and neck pain as a result of prolonged slumped sitting during computer tasks. Apply Ergon.
How do I relax my neck while sitting?
Seated Clasping Neck Stretch
Takeaway
Neck discomfort can have a wide range of causes. If your neck pain doesn't go away, you should see a doctor. You can try treating it at home.
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