PainCare Florida Physicians

Neck Pain

PAIN CONDITION

Neck Pain: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief

Most people will be affected by neck pain at some point.[1] It’s a common condition that may resolve within a few days or can become debilitating and impact daily life. Neck pain affects people of all ages and lifestyles.[1] Whether your neck issues stem from poor posture, injury, or underlying health conditions, neck pain can diminish the quality of your life if left untreated. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and management options puts you closer to addressing neck pain.

About Neck Pain

Neck pain refers to discomfort or soreness in the cervical spine, encompassing the seven vertebrae (C1 to C7) supporting the neck.[2] The cervical spine, composed of muscle, nerves, bones, ligaments and tendons, houses the delicate spinal cord. [3] Your cervical spine protects your spinal cord, supports your head, allows movement, and protects the vertebral arteries, which deliver blood to your brain.[2]

Neck discomfort can range in severity and duration and may be accompanied by stiffness, limited range of motion, and headaches. Neck pain can arise from various factors, including muscle strain, ligament sprain, arthritis, poor posture, and injury. [4]

Neck Pain Symptoms

Symptoms of neck pain vary depending on the underlying cause and severity.

Common symptoms include:

  • Sore or stiff neck [5]
  • Sharp, localized pain [5]
  • Headaches [5]
  • Radiating pain or numbness [6]
  • Pain aggravated by movement [6]
  • Stabbing or burning pain [7]
  • Inability to turn or tilt head [7]

Chronic Neck Pain Causes

Pain is chronic if it lasts three months or more. Chronic or persistent neck pain is usually the result of long-term issues such as:

  • Poor posture [8]
  • Degenerative disc disease [9]
  • Cervical spondylosis [2]
  • Osteoarthritis [9]
  • Herniated discs [2]
  • Compressed nerve [2]
  • Pinched nerve (cervical radiculopathy) [2]
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [2]
  • Tech neck [10]
  • Stress [2]
  • Repetitive strains [8]

Acute Neck Pain Causes

Acute neck pain is a sharp, intense pain that affects the cervical spine and usually subsides within a few weeks with proper rest and care.[11] It is caused by sudden trauma or injury, such as car accidents, sports-related injuries, or falls.[9] Acute neck pain can be due to muscle strains or sprains from uncomfortable sleeping positions, carrying a heavy load on one side or sudden movement.[9]

Neck Pain Treatments

Effective neck pain management often involves conservative treatments and lifestyle modifications. Treatment options may include rest, ice or heat therapy, gentle stretching, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, OTC pain relievers, and adjustments to work or sleep positions.[12]

Persistent pain may require diagnostics and specialized care from a pain management doctor. These doctors are trained to provide corticosteroid injections, facet joint injections, radio waves, nerve blocks, and pain-relieving medications to alleviate symptoms.

When to Consult a Neck Pain Care Specialist

While mild neck pain, such as soreness or stiffness, may resolve with time and at-home care, persistent or severe symptoms warrant evaluation by a pain management physician. Suppose conservative treatments fail to improve your pain or interfere with daily activities. In that case, a pain specialist can assess the underlying cause and provide a treatment plan that best fits your needs.

If your neck pain is accompanied by numbness, tingling, limb weakness, difficulty breathing or swallowing or follows a traumatic injury, seek immediate medical attention.

Resources:

  1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Neck pain: Symptom. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Accessed March 11, 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/neck-pain/basics/definition/sym-20050882
  2. Cleveland Clinic. Cervical Spine (Neck): What It Is, Anatomy & Disorders. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. January 18, 2022. Accessed March 11, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22278-cervical-spine
  3. Slosar P. Cervical Spine Anatomy. Spine-health [Internet]. 2019. Accessed March 11, 2024. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/cervical-spine-anatomy
  4. Michael AP. Neck Pain – Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments. American Association of Neurological Surgeons [Internet]. Accessed March 11, 2024. Available from: https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Neck-Pain
  5. Curtis S. Neck Pain Symptoms. Spine-health [Internet]. 2019. Accessed Match 11, 2024. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/neck-pain-symptoms
  6. Pietrangelo A. Neck Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat It – Neck pain symptoms. Healthline [Internet]. January 4, 2022. Accessed March 11, 2024. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-pain#Neck-pain-symptoms-
  7. Neck Pain: Causes, Treatments, At-Home Remedies. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Accessed March 11, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21179-neck-pain
  8. Pietrangelo A. Neck Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat It – Causes of neck pain. Healthline [Internet]. January 4, 2022. Accessed March 15, 2024. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-pain#Causes-of-neck-pain
  9. Cooper G. Understanding Acute vs. Chronic Neck Pain. Spine-health [Internet]. November 20, 2019. Accessed March 15, 2024. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/understanding-acute-vs-chronic-neck-pain
  10. Millhone C. What Is Tech Neck and How to Prevent It. Health [Internet]. May 24, 2023. Accessed March 15, 2024. Available from: https://www.health.com/tech-neck-7488554
  11. InformedHealth.org. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) Neck pain: Overview. National Library of Medicine [Internet]. August 24, 2010. Updated February 14, 2019. Accessed March 15, 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK338120/
  12. Pietrangelo A. Neck Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat It – Neck pain treatment. Healthline [Internet]. January 4, 2022. Accessed March 15, 2024. Available from https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-pain#treatment
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