Neck Pain Treatment: Causes, Symptoms And Relieve

Neck pain can be caused by various factors. In most cases it is caused by a strain, a small injury, or any damage to the tendons and ligaments. If you are having persistent neck pain that does not resolve in a few days, you should consult a physician or therapist for diagnosis and neck pain treatment.

Causes Of Neck Pain

Improper Sleeping Position

Sleeping with your neck at an abnormal angle can cause you to have neck pain. Also, if you sleep with an incorrectly placed pillow, you could wake up with a stiff neck.

Whiplash

Whiplash occurs when a person’s head moves backwards and forward too quickly, and with great force. This sometimes happens during a collision. Whiplash causes trauma to the vertebrae and muscles of the neck.

Cervical Spondylosis

Also known as cervical arthritis, this condition is most common in elderly people. It affects the joints and discs of the neck.

There are other conditions that could lead to neck pain like having a bad fall, lifting something too heavy, etc. If you are experiencing persistent neck pain, it would be wise to consult your physician or therapist to ascertain the cause and administer effective neck pain treatment.

Symptoms of Neck Pain

Most cases of muscle strain in the neck eventually heal with time if it is mild or moderate. Some common symptoms of neck pain include:

Pain in The Neck Region

This is the most common symptom that signifies all is not well. The pain can be felt in the neck and regions surrounding it including the upper back, back of the head and shoulders.

Achy or Throbbing Pain

This is pain usually coming from deep in the muscle tissue.

Sharp Pain

This is a knife-like pain that accompanies a neck strain.

Stiff Neck

When you find it both it difficult and painful to rotate your neck in some direction, you have a stiff neck. This usually happens because of a swelling and tightening of the neck muscles after a strain.

Muscle Spasm

Muscular spasms can happen as a result of injury to a muscle in the neck.

Treatments for Neck Pain

While most neck strain will eventually heal on their own, the right neck pain treatment can help in reducing the pain while the injury heals.

Neck pain that is persistent or caused by an ailment needs physical therapy and neck pain treatment to provide relief and help the healing process.

Treatments for Mild Neck Pain/Neck Strain

Limiting Strenuous Activity

Simply resting the neck and refraining from strenuous activities for a couple of days can help reduce the pain, and give the muscles and tendons time to heal.

Applying Ice and Heat Therapy

Applying ice within 48 hours of injury can help lessen swelling. Heat can also be applied to achieve the same result.

Medications

Over the counter medications that help against inflammation like ibuprofen and naproxen can be used to stop the inflammation along with pain relievers.

Treatments for Chronic Neck Pain

Chronic neck pain may be caused by an underlying problem in the vertebrae. This requires professional neck pain treatment like:

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist will give you an exercise regimen that targets muscles and helps ease the pain.

Manual Manipulation

A trained professional may examine and make manual adjustments to your spine to help ease your neck pain.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy may be provided along with manual manipulation to make you feel better.

Your physical therapist will determine which neck pain treatment method will be best for you.