{"id":7088,"date":"2019-07-05T06:21:24","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T06:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=7088"},"modified":"2021-06-11T19:11:15","modified_gmt":"2021-06-11T19:11:15","slug":"14-most-common-causes-of-neck-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-most-common-causes-of-neck-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Most Common Causes of Neck Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Neck pain is something that is highly likely to be experienced by everyone at multiple points in their lives.  Therefore, it seems like a good idea to simply prepare and hopefully prevent it, by reviewing some common factors that may cause neck pain.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life is hard enough\u2026 it is nice to be able to get some pointers to avoid some of the pitfalls out there.  It will likely save you some time, time off work, and discomfort in the long run.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If, however, you end up experiencing severe pain, or the pain is lasting more than a few days, if it is paired with numbness, tingling, or is spreading to your extremities\u2026 please go visit your doctor for a formal diagnosis.  It doesn\u2019t hurt to get a little extra prevention on the front end, testing included.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost may seem a deterrent, but with severe symptoms, it could cost far less to catch something early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Poor Sleeping Position: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is probably the most common cause of neck pain.  A poor sleeping position, either one bad night or done repeatedly over time, can really put a crick in your neck.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular massages can help with maintenance of healthy neck muscles<\/a>, but choosing the right sleeping position for you can also do wonders for your physical comfort and health.\u00a0 Some say that sleeping flat on your back is the ultimate best sleeping position for your spinal column.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They claim that sleeping on your side can begin, over time, to offset the alignment of your body (hips, etc.).  Many people enjoy sleeping on their side in somewhat of a fetal position, and may find it difficult to transition to another style like on the back.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try putting pillows under the knees and on either side of your body and\/or head to increase your comfort in the new position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Wear & Tear:  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The longer the amount of time we spend on this Earth\u2026 the more disease and other unhealthy elements (not to mention poor lifestyle choices) we are exposed to.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our bodies will begin, like a car or any other material item on Earth, to show signs of wear and tear.  It is up to us, as independent people, to make choices and establish practices that will prolong our physical health, if we so choose and want to do so.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cartilage <\/a>in the body is soft and can degenerate over time.\u00a0 This process may be sped up with conditions such as DDD degenerative disk disease.\u00a0 This condition is not uncommon.\u00a0 It can be maintained with supplements and such, but, ultimately\u2026 the cartilage of the discs in the spine will start to wear down and away.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, turmeric, and many other natural supplements can be taken to support cartilage health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Whiplash:  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No not the 2014 movie starring Miles Teller\u2026 whiplash <\/a>is caused by the head being rocked or jolted very quickly, such as in a car crash or on a roller coaster.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can create tiny tears in the muscular and tendon fabrics supporting the neck and cause swelling and inflammation to create irritation in reaction to the injury.  Whiplash also can occur in sports and other physically expanding activities.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tricky thing with this injury is that it can be a variety of severities.  Depending on how painful it is and how long the pain lasts will determine if you need to visit your local physician.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building up the muscles of the neck and shoulders can be one good prevention method, but\u2026 in some cases (such as a car accident or sporting injury) there is not much that can be done to avoid it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Acute Torticollis:  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a condition in which the head gets kind of stuck to one side.  It typically happens overnight, so upon going to bed there is no detection of a problem, but upon waking the head is stuck in an awkward position, and painfully so.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical professionals suspect this is caused by small ligament <\/a>sprains or muscle sprains, also overexposure to cold for extended periods of time can cause this to arise.\u00a0 On rare occasions, this condition may be a symptom of a larger health concern.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In which case, only your doctor can guide you in the next direction.  Tumors, medication side-effects, and infections could be the more major health conners this may be indicative of.  In usual cases, the condition will subside in a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Stress & Anxiety:  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stress <\/a>is a funny thing, that in most cases leads to decreased health.\u00a0 Minimal stress is ideal for the proliferation of life and health.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and or anxious for large amounts of time\u2026 there is almost no doubt that you will end up with neck pain.  Physiologically speaking, most people know that stress and anxiety cause the body to tense up in small amounts over time\u2026 this can lead to muscle strain, fatigue, and or spasm.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knots or lumps or clusters of tense muscles may be found in the large muscle groups, such as the neck, shoulders, and back.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epsom salt baths, regular massages with a licensed massage therapist, and meditation are great combatants to these archenemies of health.  Yoga is another great practice for maintaining good posture, physical health, and relaxation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Brachial Plexus Injury:  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The brachial plexus is a series of nerves <\/a>that connect the hand to the spinal cord in the neck.\u00a0 This is the reason that neck pain can often radiate to the hand.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If an injury occurs, such as a rough fall during a soccer match, a car accident, or a physical altercation (fight), this group of nerves may become inflamed or similar and cause pain to radiate in the neck and hands.  At least at this point you can have a diagnosis and begin to procure treatment for such a condition.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the other remedies listed here, such as Epsom salt bath and relaxation techniques, will be helpful here as well, but visiting a medical physician may be required if the pain last longer than three days or is severe.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turmeric is another aid, being a natural herbal supplement that has been noted as reducing inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Pinched Nerve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is also known in the medical field as cervical radiculopathy.\u00a0 Common causes of this condition are neck arthritis <\/a>(also known as cervical spondylosis), a bulging disk in the spinal column (also known as a prolapsed or herniated disk), and\/or tiny bone projections (known as bone spurs) in the vertebrae.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The projections from the spinal column can poke into the nerves surrounding the column and cause an awkward pinched nerve kind of feeling.  It may feel like it is never going to go away, too matter how much stretching or massaging you do on your neck, but\u2026 they almost always go away in a few days.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it doesn\u2019t, make sure to make a visit to your general doctor.  The pinched nerve may cause numbness in the arms or a pins and needles kind of feeling there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Holding Odd Positions:  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This might be less rare, but, for instance, if a person talks on the phone a lot, and they are holding the phone to their ear with their shoulder, thereby somewhat cocking their neck to one side for a long time\u2026 this can cause pain to come about and linger for up to a few days.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or, if you are lifting furniture or some other large bulky objects for a prolonged period of time thereby contorting your body in weird positions\u2026 maybe even in some cases doing unusual yoga <\/a>postures, this may be caused.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, with this sort of cause, the pain will subside after about 48 hours.  Recovery may be sped up with stretching of the neck in healthy ways, drinking lots of water to encourage a lubricated muscle system, and muscle relaxation techniques, such as soaking in an Epsom salt bath, deep breathing, or a massage.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9.     Bacterial Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may experience neck pain for a variety of reasons, including infection. When bacteria<\/a> enter the bloodstream through the mouth or throat, it may result in inflammation of the nerves, discs, and vertebrae in the cervical spine.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient may start to experience symptoms of severe pain, especially when turning their head, or looking up or down. The infection limits the range of motion in the neck, and may also cause locking in a fixed position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various types of bacteria can cause this condition, such as pneumonia and staphylococcus. Bacterial infections are incredibly persistent, and the patient will require the use of antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria and restore the neck to normal range-of-motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated and unmanaged, symptoms will continue to escalate, resulting in increases in pain and inflammation that may spread to the upper back and shoulders. In some cases, patients may experience nerve inflammation that causes shooting pain down the arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10.     Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rheumatoid arthritis<\/a> is a painful condition affecting the bones and joints of the skeletal system. Medical science is unable to explain the reason for this disorder. However, some doctors believe that rheumatoid arthritis occurs due to an autoimmune disease, where the immune system recognizes healthy bone cells as invading pathogens.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the body begins to produce white blood cells and antibodies to target the infected area. As the immune system begins its assault on the joints, the patient may experience extreme sensations of pain in one or more areas of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The neck and shoulders are common sites for flare-ups of rheumatoid arthritis, and patients may experience a blinding pain that disrupts nervous system response, interrupting all other nerve signals in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition with no cure, and the best doctors can do to manage the situation in patients, is with the use of prescription anti-inflammatories and painkillers. The disorder is more common in people over the age of 50-years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11.     Sports Injuries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who train and compete in sports are at high risk of developing a neck injury. Combat and contact sports such as football, basketball, ice hockey, and mixed martial arts, places the athlete<\/a> in the line of danger, as they risk their bodies to push the limits of their sport. Unfortunately, the risk of pushing your boundaries may result in injuries that are sometimes severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing a neck injury due to whiplash incurred by a hard tackle in football or ice hockey, or sustaining impact or trauma to the head in MMA, may result in a neck injury that results in symptoms of severe pain. Whiplash describes a condition where the neck snaps backward and forward very quickly, resulting in damage to the ligaments and tendons, as well as the vertebrae and discs, in the cervical spine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forces involved when sustaining the injury determines the extent of the damage, and some athletes may only incur a minor injury that takes a few weeks to heal, while others may end up receiving her career-ending injury that requires surgery to repair the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12.     Trauma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being involved in a car accident is a common form of trauma that causes pain to the neck. The law requires us to wear seatbelts when traveling in a car, to reduce the risk of severe injury or death during the motor vehicle accident<\/a>. However, the belt may keep the driver and passengers firmly secured, but it also presents a risk of injury as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a sudden stopping motion, such as a head-on collision in a car, the driver and passengers are kept in the seat by the seatbelts, preventing them from going through the windshield. However, the belts do not absorb the inertia involved with the head-on collision. As a result, both the passenger and driver will experience a sudden whipping of the head forward and backward, which results in whiplash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The damage to the neck of the driver and passenger depends on the extent of the trauma created by the speed of the collision. Those individuals that sustain whiplash require immediate medical attention to assess the scope of the damage, and the treatment needed to heal the patient’s injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13.     Muscle Strain <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of pain in the neck is a muscle strain<\/a>. Muscle strains occur for a variety of different reasons, including poor posture and overexertion. People who spend the majority of the day behind a desk looking at a computer screen may find that they develop a condition known as forward-leaning neck, where the posture of the cervical spine extends forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of this change in posture, it may create imbalances in the neck muscles and ligaments, producing symptoms of neck pain. It’s possible to reverse this condition using stretching and physiotherapy to rebalance the ligaments and muscles in the neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who overexert ligaments and muscles are also predisposed to developing neck injuries, causing neck pain. A good example is a person that spends too much time with their hand on their mouse in front of the computer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the person does not use memory foam wrist pad, it may result in stress building up in the arm, that creeps up towards the shoulder and the neck, resulting in symptoms of pain. This condition is also reversible through the use of stretching and physiotherapy to relieve stress in the affected muscles in the neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14.    Tumors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most severe disorders causing pain in the neck is the development of a tumor<\/a>. The onset of a tumor does not always present a life-threatening position, and not all tumors are cancerous.\u00a0However, if you feel the start of a bump growing at any location in your neck, it’s a prudent move to visit a physician for a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tumors may occur in connective tissues, as well as the thyroid gland. If you notice a bump develop below your Adam’s apple in men or the midpoint of the neck in women, it’s a clear sign of either hyperthyroidism or a possible tumor growth on the thyroid gland. Self-diagnosis could put your health at risk, so always make sure that you visit a doctor if anything like this occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tumors don’t always present symptoms of pain, but if they grow to a large size, it may cause symptoms of discomfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with cancerous tumors may find that they develop symptoms of pain along with issues swallowing. As the tumor grows, it places pressure on the tissues in the neck, causing cramping in the ligaments and muscles around the affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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