Neck Pain- Causes and Treatments

Neck pain is a prevalent condition that can result from poor posture, such as slouching over a computer or bending over a workbench, which can strain neck muscles. Neck pain is also frequently caused by osteoarthritis.

In some cases, neck pain can be an indication of a severe underlying issue. If neck pain is accompanied by numbness or weakness in the hands or arms or shooting pain that extends to the shoulder or arm, medical attention should be sought immediately.

Signs and symptoms may consist of:

Discomfort that frequently aggravates when maintaining the head in a static position for extended periods, such as while operating a computer or driving
Tense and twitching muscles
Impaired capacity to rotate or flex the neck
Headache

The weight of the head puts the neck at risk of injuries and conditions that can limit motion and cause pain. Contributing factors to neck pain include:

Strained muscles: excessive use of technology or poor posture can cause muscle strain, even small activities like reading in bed can lead to this.
Worn joints: similar to other joints, the neck joints tend to deteriorate with age and can cause pain and limited motion due to bone spurs.
Nerve compression: when herniated disks or bone spurs in the neck vertebrae put pressure on nerves branching out from the spinal cord.
Injuries: whiplash injury can result from rear-end auto collisions where the head jerks backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues in the neck.
Diseases: certain diseases like meningitis, cancer, or rheumatoid arthritis can cause neck pain.

Most neck pain is caused by poor posture and age-related wear and tear. To prevent neck pain, it’s important to maintain good posture by keeping your head aligned with your spine. Here are some simple changes you can make to your daily routine:

Practice good posture by keeping your shoulders straight, ears aligned with shoulders, and head up when using small screens like cell phones and tablets.
Take breaks frequently, especially when traveling or working long hours on a computer, to stretch your neck and shoulders.
Adjust your workspace to keep your monitor at eye level and use armrests on your chair.
Quit smoking, as it increases the risk of developing neck pain.
Avoid carrying heavy bags on your shoulder.
Sleep in a healthy position with your head and neck aligned with your body, using a small pillow under your neck, and consider elevating your thighs with pillows to flatten your spinal muscles.
Stay active by increasing your activity level if you don’t move much.

Diagnosis:

To diagnose neck pain, your healthcare provider will conduct a medical history and physical exam. During the exam, they will assess for tenderness, numbness, and muscle weakness in the neck. Additionally, they will test the range of motion of your neck, including how far you can move it forward, backward, and side-to-side.

Tests:

Imaging tests can assist in identifying the underlying cause of neck pain. Examples of these tests include:

X-rays: This test can detect areas in the neck where bone spurs or other changes might be pinching the nerves or spinal cord.
CT scan: CT scans combine X-ray images taken from various angles to create detailed cross-sectional views of the structures in the neck.
MRI: This test uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of bones and soft tissues, such as the disks, spinal cord, and nerves.

However, it’s important to note that structural problems may be present on imaging tests without any symptoms. Therefore, imaging studies should be used in conjunction with a thorough medical history and physical exam to determine the cause of pain.

Other tests that may be used to diagnose neck pain include:

Electromyography (EMG): This test can determine whether neck pain is caused by a pinched nerve by inserting thin needles into a muscle to measure nerve conduction speed.
Blood tests: These tests can identify inflammation or infections that may be causing or contributing to neck pain.

Treatment:

For mild to moderate neck pain, self-care measures may be sufficient, and the pain usually improves within two to three weeks.

Medications Pain relief can be achieved through nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). It’s essential to follow the instructions and not overuse these medications, as overuse can lead to serious side effects.

If over-the-counter pain relievers do not alleviate the pain, your healthcare provider may recommend prescription NSAIDs or muscle relaxers.

Therapy:

Physical therapy. Correct posture, alignment, and exercises to strengthen the neck can be taught by a physical therapist. Heat, ice, and other techniques may also be used during physical therapy to alleviate pain.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Small electrical impulses can be delivered to the painful areas by electrodes placed on the skin, potentially reducing pain. However, there is little evidence to support the efficacy of TENS for neck pain.

Soft cervical collar. Wearing a soft neck brace can alleviate pain by reducing pressure on the neck. However, using it for more than three hours or beyond one to two weeks may cause harm.

Surgical and Other Procedures

Steroid injections. Steroid medications can be injected near nerve roots, into spinal joints, or muscles in the neck by a healthcare provider to relieve neck pain. Numbing medications like lidocaine can also be injected.

Surgery. Although not commonly used for neck pain, surgery may be considered to relieve nerve root or spinal cord compression.