While neck pain can often be traced to injury or specific health conditions, work and home routines can be culprits too. Most of the time, neck pain is temporary, but it can become chronic without proper care.
A stiff neck can be painful and can interfere with your daily activities. Your symptoms may even make it hard to get a good night’s sleep.
According to statistics from 2012 National Health Interview Survey data published in 2016, over 14 percent of Americans deal with neck pain or problems.
Common causes of neck pain include:
Poor posture
Stress, muscle tension
Muscle strain
Osteoarthritis
Fibromyalgia
A compressed or pinched nerve
Disc degeneration
Whiplash
A spinal cord injury
A concussion
Neck pain is also associated with:
High stress levels
Anxiety
Depression
To prevent neck pain from becoming a chronic concern, it’s important to address it right away. Stretching, lifestyle adjustments, and medication can all help alleviate muscle pain and tension in the neck.
Other conditions that cause neck pain
Neck pain can often arise from muscle tension or injuries, but certain medical conditions have neck pain as a side effect as well. This includes viral and bacterial infections, which can cause your lymph nodes to become inflamed and swollen.
Neck stiffness or pain can be a symptom of:
Meningitis
Tonsillitis
The common cold or the flu
The Epstein-Barr virus or mononucleosis (mono)
Thyroid conditions, including thyroiditis (inflammation of the gland)
Heart disease or a heart attack
Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, trouble breathing, and feeling light-headed. If you believe you or a loved one is experiencing a heart attack, contact 911 or local emergency services immediately.
Neck pain treatment and remedies
Remember that any pain, stiffness, or mobility issues involving your neck should be evaluated by a doctor. It’s important to rule out injuries and infections. Always ask for professional medical advice before trying approaches on your own.
A physical evaluation by a doctor can help identify the cause of your pain. X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound imaging can also be helpful in making a diagnosis.
Apply heat or ice
Ice can help reduce inflammation and swelling by lowering blood flow to an area. Heat does the opposite, stimulating blood flow.
Both ice and heat can work together to help soothe a strained or torn muscle, and give it time to heal. They can provide timely pain relief for an overworked spot on your body, such as the neck.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends applying ice for 20 minutes a few times a day for soft tissue injuries. Make sure you buy or make a cold compress that prevents the ice from directly touching your skin.
You can alternate between applying ice and heat. Taking a warm bath or shower or using a heating pad may also help.
Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
OTC pain relievers don’t require a prescription and can help reduce general pain and inflammation in the body. OTC pain relievers include a class of medication called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Another OTC pain reliever is acetaminophen (Tylenol), but while this medication can reduce pain, it doesn’t have anti-inflammatory properties.
Always take these as directed by a doctor or by following the instructions on the bottle. NSAIDs and other OTC pain relievers can have side effects, including upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea.
Stretch but avoid sudden movements
Stretching can help relieve pain and stiffness and prevent it from recurring in the future. It’s important to stretch gently and slowly, making sure you always breathe in and out fully. Sudden movements, or over-stretching, can cause more pain or injury.
Exercises to relieve neck pain and stiffness are often straightforward and can be done at home (or at your desk). Talk with a doctor or physical therapist (PT) about creating a manageable routine that works for you.
See a physical therapist
A doctor may refer you to a PT if you need help regaining strength and mobility in your neck after an injury. PTs can also help with chronic pain management and relief, assigning helpful exercises to train your muscles.
A PT will create a treatment regimen tailored specifically for you depending on the cause of your stiffness or pain. You’ll see your therapist during regular sessions and do exercises as directed at home. Oftentimes, PT exercises can be done anywhere for a couple of minutes per day!
Source: www.healthline.com
