Almost everyone will experience neck pain at some point in his or her life. In many cases, neck pain is not serious. The pain goes away with home treatment after only a few days.
Types of Neck Pain
Acute Neck Pain
Acute neck pain is defined as neck pain that goes away within a few weeks. The most common cause for acute neck pain is caused by bad posture. For example, hunching over a computer all day puts strain on the neck.
The head weighs upward of 10 pounds. The neck supports the entire weight of the head. When the neck gets out of line, it becomes sore. In most cases, over-the-counter medications and proper posture takes away the pain.
If you cannot touch your chin to your chest after a few days of home treatment, then you need to seek medical treatment.
Chronic Neck Pain
When neck pain lasts longer than a few weeks, it is called chronic neck pain. Chronic neck pain can also be caused by chronic bad posture. However, it can also be the sign of something more serious.
Causes of Neck Pain
Muscle Strain in the Neck and Back
The main cause of muscle strain in the neck comes from overuse. It is hard to imagine how you cannot overuse your neck since you use it all day everyday. However, bad posture plays a major role in overusing the neck. Stretching or bending the neck during driving, hobbies, or computer use can result in neck pain.
Neck Injuries
Whiplash is the most common neck related injury. While whiplash is generally associated with rear-end collisions, other things cause whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head is jerked forward and then back again. Anything that causes the head to react in this manner can cause whiplash and result in neck pain.
Worn Joints
As people age, the joints throughout the body experience wear and tear. This occurs in the neck as well. The result is osteoarthritis in the neck. Neck osteoarthritis symptoms include pain, stiffness, and aching in the neck.
Treatment for Neck Pain
For most people, over-the-counter medication will suffice for periodic neck pain. However, people with chronic neck pain will want to seek medical treatment. These people will have two options. They can seek either a physician or a chiropractor.
Physicians that Treat Neck Pain
Physicians may offer prescription pain medication to relieve the pain. Prescription medication is a short-term pain relief method and does nothing to treat the cause.
Physicians may also recommend surgery. Surgery is generally a last resort for neck pain. It is used to treat nerve root and spinal compression.
Chiropractors
In general, chiropractors use a more holistic approach. They tend to treat the entire body to resolve the pain.
Chiropractors can use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to treat neck strain. This feels similar to a massage. Electrodes are placed on the neck and a gentle electric current is sent through. The electricity causes the neck muscles to contract and release gently easing the pain.
Chiropractors may also use spinal manipulation to decrease the pressure. When the joints in the neck get misaligned, pressure can build up. Spinal manipulation allows the chiropractor to readjust the joints relieving the stress. Spinal manipulation is also used to treat
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