Neck pain is something almost everyone experiences at some point in their lives, whether it’s from a long day at work, a poor sleeping position, or an accident. The pain can vary from mild discomfort to sharp pain that affects daily activities. This blog will look at common causes, symptoms, treatments, and how you can manage neck pain effectively.
Common Symptoms of Neck Pain
When dealing with neck pain, people might experience a variety of symptoms. The most common we see in clinic include:
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion: Difficulty turning your head side to side or up and down.
- Sharp or dull pain: You might feel pain in one specific spot or discomfort that radiates down the shoulders or arms.
- Headaches: Tension headaches are common, and pain from the neck can often radiate to the base of your skull.
- Numbness or tingling: This could indicate nerve irritation, possibly extending into the arms and hands.
- Muscle spasms: Tightness or cramping in the neck muscles.
Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
While neck pain is common, certain symptoms may indicate something more serious and should not be ignored. These include:
- Loss of coordination or balance or trouble walking.
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing along with neck pain.
- Pain after a traumatic injury (e.g., a fall or car accident).
- Severe or persistent pain that doesn’t improve, radiating down the arm or into the legs, accompanied by weakness, numbness, or tingling.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately via your GP or local walk-in centre. They could indicate nerve compression, a spinal cord injury, or another serious condition.
Causes of Neck Pain
Neck pain can be caused by various factors, some of which could be environment based, while others may indicate underlying health issues. Common causes include:
- Degeneration: Most common for those aged 40+. Degeneration can include osteoarthritis, which is general wear and tear of the discs and facet joints. It causes a narrowing of space or uneven wear of the disc or joint that may lead to stiffness and/or pain around the neck.
- Radiculopathy: Is the irritation of the nerve route. This can be caused by the narrowing of the discs or joints. Spondylosis, herniated discs can put unwanted pressure on the nerves and can lead to tingling and/or numbness in the arms or hands. This may also decrease reaction times.
- Strain or overuse: This can be caused by a wide range of reasons, poor posture, stress etc. Causing unwanted pressure around the neck and head leading to headaches as well as other symptoms of neck pain.
- Injury or trauma: Any injury, such as a fall or sports-related injury, or a whiplash which involves a sudden jerking motion of the head, usually caused by car accidents.
- Infections or other diseases: In rare cases, infections or conditions like meningitis can lead to neck pain, especially if accompanied by fever.
What to Do If You Have Neck Pain
If you’re dealing with neck pain, don’t panic. Treatment for neck pain depends on the underlying cause, severity, and your overall health. In many cases, neck pain can be treated effectively with a combination of self-care measures, physiotherapy, and sports massage treatment. Here’s what to do:
- Ergonomic adjustments: Check your posture and adjust your workstation to make sure your neck isn’t under undue strain. Looking at whether your computer screen is at eye level. You’re not reaching for your mouse and keyboard. Desk and chair at an appropriate height.
- If your job is more active and requires manual handling. Reducing the load at which you carry, asking for another person. Are you using correct/ appropriate manual handling techniques.
- See a healthcare provider: If pain persists for more than a few days to a week or is severe, consult a GP to manage your pain and rule out any other sinister pathology. They can help diagnose the underlying cause and suggest appropriate treatments.
- See a physiotherapist: they will help to assess and give you a diagnosis and treatment pan. This could involve manual therapy to begin to help pain relief and then guide you on exercises needed to help stretch the surrounding muscles improving flexibility and reduce stiffness. Strengthening exercises for the neck are also important for when pain subsides, this will help aid injury prevention, so pain doesn’t return.
- Book a sports massage: Sport massage therapist can help to aid the discomfort and reduces some pain allowing more regular movement. Their soft tissue techniques can release muscle tension and increase your range of motion. Working alongside a Physiotherapist’s treatment plan is the best recommended approach.
Take Control of Your Neck Health
If you’re suffering from neck pain, don’t wait for it to worsen. Early intervention and treatment can help you get back to living pain-free. Whether it’s through physical therapy, massage or simple lifestyle changes, there are effective solutions available.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your symptoms and find the right treatment plan for you. If you would like to speak to a physiotherapist or book in for a sports massage then please get in touch. Book an appointment online.
