Neck pain is a general term used to describe a number of medical conditions. From things as simple as an overuse strain to something as complex as a herniated disc with nerve involvement, the causes of neck pain vary tremendously. The symptoms are just as varied and care needs to be taken in both assessment and treatment.
Whiplash
Often called acute neck pain, whiplash is an injury caused by a rapid movement or a sudden force causing the neck to "whip" back and forth. This can cause tears in both the interior and exterior neck muscles. Conservative treatment is common and involves icing, using manual therapies, like massage and chiropractics and physical therapy.
Minor whiplash injuries will usually heal with basic care and a few weeks of healing. Severe whiplash injuries can become chronic problems without intervention. Numbness in one or both arms, headaches, and constant pain can really interfere with day-to-day activities. Your doctor if needed can determine more aggressive treatment protocols.
Chronic Neck Pain
People who suffer from chronic neck pain never get a break from the problem. Often caused by herniations of cervical discs, chronic pain is typically accompanied by numbness and tingling in one or both arms, a potential lack of coordination in the arms and possible pain in the arms as well.
Surgery is not the top choice for treating herniated discs any more. Approaches that are more conservative are routinely tried first. Things like physical therapy, steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, and manual therapies have been shown to be as effective in treating cervical disc issues as surgery in many cases.
Other sources of chronic pain include spinal stenosis and disc degeneration. The narrowing of the spinal canal as well as the gradual shrinking of cervical discs due to age and other conditions can place the same kind of pressure on nerves in the neck resulting in identical symptoms as described above. Arthritis also plays a part in chronic neck pain and is usually treated very conservatively.
Cervical Osteoarthritis
Like the rest of the facet joints in the spine, those in the cervical region can, and do, suffer from osteoarthritis. With this condition, the pain tends to center between the shoulder blades and is often worst at the beginning and the end of the day.
Treatment options include rest, NSAIDs and manual therapies like chiropractics and massage. Although osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, it rarely progresses beyond a certain point, at least in regards to the levels of pain experienced. It is extremely rare that a patient with cervical osteoarthritis would be considered for surgery.
Other Concerns of Neck Pain
From a medical point of view, these are the major injuries that can cause neck pain. Other things like muscles strains resulting from poor posture or improper positioning at work and in the car can also cause neck pain. The conditions are treated with ice or heat and some over-the-counter analgesics. Of course, the best solution is to correct the posture that causes the problem.
Neck pain is, well, a pain in the neck. Much more difficult to live with than the stiff neck, which we all experience from time to time. Neck pain can really impair a person's ability to do all they usually do from day-to-day. Fortunately, many successful treatment options help sufferers to get back to their normal lifestyle.
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