28 Sep The Most Common Causes of Neck Pain Revealed
It is often said that back pain is the most common complaint heard in doctor’s offices. Neck pain may not be that far behind. An estimated 203 million people worldwide experienced neck pain in 2020. The number is expected to be as high as 269 million by 2050.
The thing about neck pain is that it can be just as debilitating as back pain. Depending on its root causes, neck pain can even be an indicator of a more serious disease. Anyone suffering with neck pain for more than a few weeks should see a doctor.
For the record, neck pain is not always an indicator of a serious problem. In fact, neck pain is common enough that most of its root causes are fairly benign. Here are some of those causes:
1. Poor Posture
Many of the back pain cases GPs see in their offices are the direct result of poor posture. Let’s face it, in the digital age, a lot of us spend a significant amount of time working with computers or using our phones. Both encourage poor posture.
Poor posture can put unnecessary stress on the neck, shoulders, and back. Specifically in terms of the neck, spending all day using your phone or staring at a computer screen that is lower than eye level can easily strain neck muscles.
2. Muscle Strain and Tension
The next most common cause of neck pain is muscle strain and tension. We have already talked about using computers and cell phones. Prolonged use is one of the primary culprits in neck muscle strain. The head constantly tilted down puts way more stress on the neck than nature ever intended.
In addition, sleeping in an awkward position can lead to strain and tension. So can twisting the neck suddenly, as you might do during exercise or in response to something that surprises or scares you. Moving the head too quickly can strain neck muscles.
3. Trauma and Injuries
Moving on to the next item brings us to trauma and injuries. Whiplash experienced during a car accident is one of the top neck injuries GPs see in their offices. But whiplash is not the only source of trauma and injury. Household falls and sports are also key culprits.
4. Normal Wear and Tear
Next up is normal wear and tear. The truth is that every body wears out overtime. With age comes conditions like cervical spondylosis (arthritis in the neck), spinal stenosis (spinal canal narrowing), and degenerative disc disease. All three can manifest themselves as neck pain.
The unfortunate thing about wear and tear damage is that it is mostly unrepairable. As pain management physicians, the best we can do is offer treatments to mitigate pain. There really isn’t a lot we can do to correct arthritis in the neck or discs that are degenerating.
5. Nerve and Disc Issues
Rounding out the list are nerve and disc issues. Where the nerves are concerned, the first thing pain medicine doctors look at are pinched nerves. They are fairly common culprits behind neck pain.
As for discs, degenerative disc disease is always something to look for. But so are herniated discs. A herniated disc in the upper back can put pressure on a nerve, resulting in neck pain.
Here at Lone Star Pain Medicine, we offer a variety of treatments for neck pain. The specific treatments we might recommend to you would depend on the root causes of your pain. If you have been experiencing neck pain for more than a few weeks, perhaps it is time for a visit to Lone Star.
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