The neck is a fragile area made up of seven cervical vertebrae stacked on top of each other. These constitute the cervical spine, and it is the most mobile part of the spine. The neck is always moving when the head moves and therefore, pain can lead to discomfort. Most people are affected by neck pain in Red Bank at some point in their life since it is a common condition. Here are some interesting facts about neck pain you need to know.
Neck pain can be due to preventable causes
Some people experience frequent neck pain due to avoidable causes such as bad sleeping positions, poor postures, accidents, or even sitting in front of a computer for many hours. These situations can strain the cervical or lower back, extending to the arms and shoulders. To prevent the strain, you can adopt a good posture and get up regularly from your desk at least several times every hour. In addition, you can stretch and take a few steps every hour, which is a great fight against a sedentary lifestyle.
Therapy can help relieve neck pain.
You can try some sets of workouts before seeking medical attention. Do not hesitate to massage the area around your neck by gently rolling your fingers. Also, you can try some stretch exercises while seated or standing. Start by sitting on a chair with your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Then slowly tilt your head in a back and forth motion. Do not apply a lot of force to the painful area as it can aggravate the situation. Yoga exercises can allow the muscles to relax and offer relief from pain. If the pain does not subside within a few days, the next thing to do is seek a doctor’s intervention.
When to seek treatment
Failure to seek treatment can lead to numbness and weakness in your arms, and the pain may extend to the shoulders and arms. At this point, you can check into a medical facility for examination and treatment. Your doctor may want to know when the pain started and whether you have tried some self-care routine.
Notably, it can also cause concern if chills, nausea, and vomiting accompany the pain. Your doctor may want to run tests to check if there is an underlying condition. These tests include blood tests to check if you have an infection such as meningitis and an X-ray to determine if there is a fracture in the cervical spine.
The main treatment that your doctor may recommend is physical therapy or exercises to help stop the pain. In addition, pain medication will be prescribed so that you can get quick relief. If the pain is due to an underlying condition such as an illness, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. In extreme cases, surgery may be the only solution.
Neck pain can cause concern if it stays for many days or weeks and interferes with your quality of life. Contact the specialists at Downtown Pain Management for diagnosis and treatment.