Neck pain is a common manifestation of several health issues which are not always serious or life-threatening. However, the pain can be debilitating leading to compromised mobility.
Katy neck pain team can offer state-of-the-art neck pain therapies, providing fast, lasting results to get your body back to its self-healing state.
Neck pain and its symptoms
Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, is a type of pain in or around your spine beneath your head. Your neck is the most flexible part of your spine allowing you to move your head in many directions.
The pain may vary in severity and can range from mild to severe and last only for a few hours or occur regularly.
Symptoms of neck pain include:
- A persistent, stabbing, or burning pain
- A shooting pain that can radiate from the neck to the shoulders or arms
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Inability to turn or tilt your head
- Inability to turn your neck or tilt your head
- Numbness and tingling sensation in your shoulders, arms, or fingers
Contributing factors that cause neck pain
Neck pain has several potential causes, which include:
- Aging: Due to increased wear and tear of your spine that causes pain.
- Degenerative conditions: These include osteoarthritis, degenerative disk disease (DDD), and spinal stenosis.
- Physical strain: Overuse of the neck muscles due to strenuous activities can lead to pain and stiffness.
- Injuries: Trauma can damage your muscles, ligaments, and disks which leads to neck pain. Whiplash is a common automobile injury causing neck pain.
- Growths: Abnormal masses, tumors, cysts, or bone spurs can exert pressure on your nerves causing pain.
Neck pain assessment and evaluation
Your healthcare professional can diagnose neck pain through an in-depth evaluation and assessment which includes the following:
- Medical history
- To record any history of accidents or medical conditions to determine the cause
- To rule out other possible pathologies
- To evaluate your occupation and activity levels
- Physical exam
- To check your neck alignment and mobility
- To determine the presence of any signs of neck stiffness, abnormal growths, or tenderness
- Imaging tests
- These include X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to determine the presence of any degeneration, injury, and tumors
Neck pain management
Treatment aims to relieve pain and improve your neck movement. These include:
- Pain medication and muscle relaxers
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Steroid injections
- Decompression
- Manual manipulation
- Laser therapy
- Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF)
- Posture therapy
Conclusion
Neck pain is a common manifestation that many people suffer due to improper posture, muscle strain, or any underlying cause. If it does not resolve by rest and medications, seek medical help.
Healthcare professionals can help evaluate the exact cause of your pain and design an appropriate treatment plan that best suits your individual health needs.
