Neck Pain
Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, refers to discomfort or ache in the neck region. Here are some key points about neck pain:
-
Causes:
-
Muscle Strains: Overusing neck muscles during repetitive or strenuous activities can lead to stiffness and pain.
-
Worn Joints: As with other joints in the body, neck joints tend to wear with age, leading to bone spurs that affect joint motion and cause pain.
-
Nerve Compression: Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck can press on nerves, causing pain.
-
Mental Stress: Tightening neck muscles due to stress can also result in neck pain and stiffness.
-
-
Symptoms:
-
Pain that worsens when holding the head in one place for extended periods (e.g., while driving or working at a computer).
-
Muscle tightness, spasms, and decreased ability to move the head.
-
Other symptoms may include headaches, stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, and numbness or tingling in the shoulders or arms.
-
-
Who Is Affected:
-
Neck pain is common, affecting 10% to 20% of adults. It’s more prevalent in women and tends to increase with age.
-
-
When to Seek Medical Attention:
-
Seek immediate care if severe neck pain results from an injury (e.g., motor vehicle accident, diving accident, or fall).
-
Contact a healthcare provider if neck pain persists for several days without relief, spreads down the arms or legs, or is accompanied by headache, numbness, weakness, or tingling.
-
Remember that most causes of neck pain improve with conservative treatments like pain medicine, exercise, and stress management.