neck--

Neck Pain

Neck pain is a type of discomfort that originates in the neck and may radiate down one or both arms. Numerous conditions or illnesses that affect the neck's tissues, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, or muscles can cause neck discomfort. The cervical spine, or neck section of the spinal column, comprises seven bones (C1-C7 vertebrae), spaced apart by intervertebral discs. These discs provide the spine with mobility and serve as shock absorbers while people move about.

Neck pain is typical. Neck muscles are strained by bad posture, which might result from slouching over a workbench or hunching over a computer. Another prevalent cause of neck discomfort is osteoarthritis. Rarely, neck discomfort may signal a more serious issue. Seek medical attention if you have neck discomfort that radiates into your shoulder or down your arm.

Symptoms / Identifying Neck Pain

Various reasons cause pain in the neck. Arthritis, disc degeneration, spinal canal constriction, muscular inflammation, strain, or trauma can all lead to neck discomfort. Rarely, it could be a symptom of meningitis or malignancy. For proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations for major neck issues, an orthopedic specialist should be contacted.

Some common symptoms of Neck Pain are: 

  • Rigid neck: People who have neck discomfort frequently say that their neck feels "tight" or "stuck." A reduced range of motion can occasionally be brought on by neck discomfort.
  • Acute pain: Sharp or "stabbing" pain that is restricted to one region may be the sensation of neck discomfort.
  • Moving causes pain: Moving, twisting, or stretching your cervical spine from side to side or up and down often makes neck discomfort worse.
  • Radiating Numbness and Pain: Your head, trunk, shoulder, and arms might get affected by neck ache. You can have tingling, numbness, or weakness in one or both of your arms or hands if a nerve is being compressed. A pinched nerve in the neck can also cause neck discomfort that radiates down the arm and may feel scorching or acute. If you encounter this symptom, see an orthopedic specialist.
  • Headache: A headache known as a "cervicogenic headache" can develop from neck pain. Another sign of a migraine may be neck discomfort along with a headache.
neckpain.jpg

Age, trauma, bad posture, or illnesses like arthritis can cause the cervical spine's bones or joints to degenerate, resulting in disc herniation or the formation of bone spurs. Sudden, severe neck injuries can cause disc herniation, whiplash, blood vessel damage, spinal injury, and in the worst cases, they can cause lifelong paralysis. 

Some common causes of Neck pain are:

Strain and Muscle Tension: Often pain in the neck region arises from our day to day activities. These pain are the result of poor posture and desk jobs where people have to sit in the desk for long periods without changing positions. Likewise, sleeping in a bad position and flicking your neck too hard during physical exercise are known for causing neck pain.

Injuries: The neck is particularly prone to damage in falls, vehicle accidents, and sports where the neck's muscles and ligaments are pushed to move outside of their natural range. The spinal cord may sustain injury if the neck's cervical vertebrae are broken. The injuries which are caused by the jerking of the head are known as Whiplash injury.

Heart Attack or Stroke: Neck pain is common in people who have had heart problems in the past and constant neck pain can also be a symptom of a heart problem that is coming. If your neck hurts and you are experiencing additional heart attack symptoms such as shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and arm or jaw discomfort, you should get straight to the hospital.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Bone spurs, joint swelling, and discomfort are all side effects of rheumatoid arthritis. Neck discomfort may arise if they happen near the neck.

Osteoporosis: Bones weakened by osteoporosis are more prone to minor fractures. Although it can also affect the neck, this ailment frequently affects the wrist, spine or hips.

Fibromyalgia: Muscle pain is a common symptom of fibromyalgia, which is more common in the neck and shoulder area.

Spinal stenosis: When the spinal column narrows, pressure is put on the spinal cord or the nerve roots as they leave the vertebrae, resulting in spinal stenosis. This might result from chronic inflammation brought on by illnesses like arthritis or another one.

Neck Pain: When to Seek Medical Help?

In case of neck pain, one should not delay on seeking medical attention. Consult a doctor if symptoms last more than a week. See a doctor if you have numbness, a lump in your neck, a fever, a headache, swollen glands, or severe neck discomfort for no apparent reason. 

How is Neck Pain treated? 

If you seek medical help for your treatment, it’s better to visit a hospital or an experienced orthopedic doctor. For people with neck pain seeking medical attention in Kathmandu, Nepal, visit or contact Bone and Joints. Bone and Joints offers treatment with honest opinions from a highly experienced orthopedic specialist. 

The reason of a neckache determines how to treat it. During the treatment for neck pain, a medical professional will examine you physically and record all of your medical histories. Prepare yourself to describe your symptoms in detail. Include any prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and dietary supplement usage in your disclosure to the doctor. You should also tell your doctor about any recent incidents or injuries you've had, even if they don't appear linked.

Some regular tests carried out during the treatment for Neck pain are: 

  • blood examination
  • X-ray and CT scan
  • MRI 
  • lumbar puncture (sometimes)

Your doctor could suggest that you see a specialist depending on the findings. Neck pain treatment options include:

  • Heat and ice treatment
  • Physical treatment, stretches, and exercise
  • Analgesics (painkillers)
  • administering corticosteroids
  • Muscle relaxants
  • antibiotics
  • Hospital treatment if an illness like meningitis or a heart attack is the reason
  • surgery (rarely)

How to Prevent Neck Pain?

The majority of neck discomfort is a result of poor posture and age-related wear and tear. Keep your head level with your spine to help reduce neck discomfort. Your daily routine can benefit from some easy tweaks. Think about attempting to:

Maintain Proper Posture: Make sure your shoulders are directly above your hips whether standing or sitting and that your ears are squarely over your shoulders. Keep your head up and hold the gadget straight out rather than bending your neck to gaze down at it when using a mobile phone, tablet, or other tiny screen devices.

Take breaks: Get up, walk around, and extend your neck and shoulders if you commute a long distance or spend a lot of time at a computer.

Adjust Your Computer: Your desk and chair should all be adjusted so that the monitor is at eye level. Try keeping your knees at a slightly lower level than your hips. 

Smoking: Quit smoking if you do. Smoking can make neck discomfort more likely to occur.

Use comfortable backpacks: Avoid shoulder-slinging bulky bags with straps. Your neck may become sore from the weight.

Maintain a good sleeping posture: Your body should be in line with your head and neck. Place a little cushion beneath your neck. To flatten your spinal muscles, try resting on your back with your thighs raised on cushions.

Maintaining your posture and maintaining healthy habits is a great start to mitigating neck-related injuries. However, some injuries and neck pain needs immediate medical attention.

Contact us today so you may resume your warrior lifestyle as soon as possible.