Neck pain: Causes and treatment – Medical News Today
Many people experience neck pain or stiffness from injury, overuse, or inflammation. There are many treatment options available for neck pain, depending on what is causing it.
The neck consists of seven vertebrae. These are interlocking bones, separated by disks, that ena…….
Many people experience neck pain or stiffness from injury, overuse, or inflammation. There are many treatment options available for neck pain, depending on what is causing it.
The neck consists of seven vertebrae. These are interlocking bones, separated by disks, that enable movement and stability.
The neck is less protected than the rest of the spine. For this reason, it may be more prone to injury or conditions that cause pain.
Many cases of neck pain are mild and will resolve on their own within a few days. Sometimes, however, neck pain can be a sign of something more serious.
This article will discuss different causes of neck pain and how to treat them.
There are many possible causes of neck pain, including:
Muscle strain
Straining the neck muscles can cause soreness in the area. This soreness might present as an aching or throbbing pain.
It can also cause a sharp pain, especially when moving the head.
Muscle strain can occur as a result of:
- having bad posture
- sleeping in a position without good neck support
- sitting at a desk or computer for too long
Cervical spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis, or cervical disk degeneration, refers to when the disks between the neck’s vertebrae wear down.
This increases friction between the vertebrae and can cause pain and stiffness in the neck as a result.
These disks typically wear down over time, so cervical spondylosis becomes more common with age.
The disk can also begin to bulge out and put pressure on the spinal cord or its nerve roots. This degenerative process may worsen, leading to a herniated cervical disk fragment. This can fully push against nerve tissue to cause significant neck pain that may also radiate to the shoulder and down one or both arms.
Injury
The neck is flexible and constantly supporting the head. This makes it particularly susceptible to injury.
Examples of possible neck injury causes include:
- motor vehicle accidents
- impact sports, such as football
- falls
- diving
- weightlifting
Damage to a muscle or ligament usually causes neck injuries.
In more severe cases, injury can lead to a broken neck. This is occurs when one or more of the vertebrae becomes fractured.
A broken neck can cause severe pain that may spread to other areas of the spinal cord. It also increases the risk of further injury to the spinal cord and loss of neurological function, including paralysis.
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