Hundreds of people experience neck pain occasionaly, but it seems that most don’t realize what causes them and how they can be treated. The spine all the way to the neck is truly a special design masterpiece which makes it one of the most complex parts of the human body.
But what really causes neck pain? In this article, we will look at the different reasons behind the occurrence of neck pain and neck stiffness.
The human spine may appear to be a vulnerable piece of design work but in actuality, it is stronger that it looks. Have you noticed a baby’s neck yet? It’s quite flexible – thus a good manifestation of how durable the neck is.
It’s really amazing how the spinal cord can tolerate injury. But even with the spinal cord’s strength, it is still susceptible to damages and thus leads to neck pain.
A bowling ball and the human head are basically the same in weight. Imagine a bowling ball balancing on two small knuckle joints – this is how the head is balanced.
What causes neck pain?
While neck pain or stiffness can be caused by a lot of factors, most cases of neck pain lasts only for a while, eventually it will disappear. However, in certain circumstances, it can be a part of a medical condition such as Osteoarthritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR). Stress or minor twisting injuries can also result to neck stiffness or pain.
Non-specific neck pain are also connected with spasm in the muscle responsible for supporting the neck.
How can a physiotherapist help treat neck pain
If you think the pain is only caused by stress, then you have nothing to worry about. However, if the pain isn’t improving after a week or two, then it’s about time you check with your physician. If you think the pain is already very bad, better see a doctor or a physiotherapist immediately.
If you feel a bad pain developing in your shoulders, in your hips or even thighs, take action as soon as possible. This is a medical condition we mentioned earlier, the PMR. If you have this, prompt treatment is required so as not to aggravate the medical condition.
Neck Pain medication
Neck pain is curable naturally. Simply gently massage the neck muscle to get a relief from the tension build-up around it. Simple massage at the back of the neck often helps but if you still feel pain, you can take some pain-killers. Remember that pain-killers such as paracetamol should only be taken every 4 hours.
Neck pain and stiffness can also be caused by poor posture. To prevent neck pain, you should practice standing up properly. Also, don’t settle for a desk that’s too low, it’ll just keep your head from bending forward for a a while – which would eventually result to neck stiffness.
Simple exercises will definitely help relieve the pain. It would also help if you rest for a few days if the pain on your neck doesn’t go away even with medications. You need to rest those neck muscles and in a matter of time, you’ll be back to your regular routine again.
