Neck pain a common problem in a modern lifestyle. Many people will suffer from neck pain at some point in their lifetime. The neck allows the entire head to move freely and is comprised of cervical disks that absorb shock.
Causes of Neck Pain
Neck pain can be the result of many causes. It can be caused by cervical spondylosis, whiplash, sprains and strains, osteoporosis, sitting when on the job and participating in sports. Cervical spondylosis affects the joints in the neck as the bones and cartilages in the neck wear down or are injured. Pain can spread to the shoulders. Whiplash is a sudden shock in the muscles and ligaments and injures or ruptures the necks tissues. Sprains and strains are typically due to an injured bone, muscle, tendon or ligament in the neck. Neck sprains and strains can occur in any sport but happen more often in tennis, wrestling, lacrosse, football and hockey.
An athlete may feel symptoms immediately or gradually. There may be tightness or spasm in the neck muscles. With osteoporosis, the bones get thinner, and there is a weakening in the disks in the neck. Bones may rub against each other in the cervical spine and cause pain. Whiplash is caused by a sudden impact to the neck and can damage or rupture neck muscles. It’s common in car accidents. And sitting at the computer or having a desk job can cause neck pain. This is because there is little movement, and the joints and neck muscles get stiff.
Ways to Alleviate Neck Pain
There are a number of ways to get rid of neck pain. Home remedies include heat therapy, cold pack therapy, neck massage and over-the-counter painkillers. You can apply hot bags on the neck and let the heat relieve the stiffening of neck muscles. A cold back can help alleviate inflammation in the neck muscles. And with a light massage for 15 minutes, joint pain can be reduced. Over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also give relief from neck pain temporarily.
If the home remedies do not provide relief from neck pain, it may be wise to visit a medical professional like a chiropractor. A chiropractor will do a full examination and give you an accurate diagnosis. Plus, a chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan specific to the root cause of your neck pain.
Although at home remedies may alleviate your neck pain temporarily, Dr. August Manelick provides professional chiropractic care will utilizing advanced chiropractic techniques to end your neck pain. To schedule your free consult, fill out our simple form here.