What is the Most Common Cause for Neck Pain?
According to medical professionals, the most common cause of neck pain is a strain of the muscles. Strains occur when a muscle is stretched beyond its limits and a tear occurs. In most instances, neck muscle strains occur because of poor posture or because the neck lacks the proper amount of support. In most instances, an injury involving the neck muscle will start to improve within a few days. In most serious cases, it could take a few weeks.
What Causes Neck Pain Without Injury?
If you have neck pain and have not sustained an injury, it could be a result of the muscle tissue experiencing a small tear or a minor sprain. In addition to this, prolonged straining of the neck, sleeping in a less-than-favorable position, wearing heavy jewelry pieces, and even stress may all be contributing causes of neck pain without injury.
What is the Fastest Way to Relieve Neck Pain?
According to professionals, the fastest way to relieve neck pain is to apply either ice or heat directly to the area where pain is being experienced. You should also avoid activities that cause the neck to jerk or move quickly. If an activity proves to put undue stress on the neck, it should be avoided – especially if it causes pain. You may also perform neck stretches. You may gently do shoulder rotation exercises or simply move the neck from side to side to alleviate the pain that you are experiencing.
When Should I Worry about Neck Pain?
Generally speaking, you should worry about neck pain if you have shooting pain from the shoulder down the arm, if you lose strength in the arms and/or hands, and if the neck pain is accompanied by any type or degree of numbness in the arms and/or hands. In any of these instances, you should seek immediate medical care for your condition.
How Do I Loosen Up My Neck Muscles?
If you have tension in your neck muscles, there are several productive exercises that you may engage in that will aid in loosening up those muscles. Examples of these include forward and backward tilts with the head and chin, side head tilts, rolling the shoulders, head rotations, and gentle side-to-side stretches. You may also engage in a therapy session with a trained physical therapist. These professionals will be able to identify the area and/or cause of the neck tension and provide techniques that may be used to loosen those particular muscles.
What is the Best Therapy for Neck Pain?
There are many treatments available to those suffering from neck pain; however, the best therapy for neck pain is physical therapy. This type of therapy involves the direct application of treatments for the reduction of stiffness and pain in the neck and surrounding areas. The therapist that you work with will create a customized program of exercises that are considered to be optimal for stretching and strengthening the neck. Additionally, exercises and activities are designed to improve the posture of the neck and provide a boost to its overall functionality to ensure daily movements may be performed easily and without pain.
Can Physical Therapy Help Neck Pain?
According to research, physical therapy not only helps with neck pain, it is also considered to be the most effective treatment. Neck Pain Therapy is better than surgery, utilizing pain medications, and chiropractic care. In fact, physical therapy is so productive that it helps individuals completely avoid having to get on prescription medications and/or have surgery.
What’s Better for Neck Pain – Ice or Heat?
According to medical professionals, ice should be initially used on neck pain caused by an injury. This should be used for as long as 48 hours. Ice is highly effective at eliminating inflammation and swelling. Immediately after, heat should be applied to the neck. This helps to loosen up the muscles of the neck and alleviate any stiffness that has developed.
What Helps Throbbing Neck Pain?
If you have throbbing neck pain, there are many ways to relieve it. Over-the-counter medications, ice and heat, warm showers or a heating pad, massage, using a soft neck collar, and physical therapy will all help with the throbbing pain. You may benefit from the reduction of physical activities. Performing various stretches and exercises are also effective for reducing throbbing pain in the neck. These are highly effective at strengthening the neck, improving the flexibility of the neck, and improving the posture of the body – all of which will help reduce throbbing sensations in the neck.
When Should I Call the Doctor for Throbbing Neck Pain?
If you have throbbing neck pain, the following outlines the circumstances when a doctor should be called:
- The symptoms fail to go away after experiencing them for a week or longer.
- There are weird sensations in your arm and/or hand. Examples include tingling, weakness, and numbness.
- You are experiencing the throbbing pain as a result of a fall, a direct blow, or another type of injury.
- If you lie down and the pain gets worse or you are waking up throughout the night because of the throbbing pain, it is time to call a doctor for assistance.
- You have such a high level of pain that you simply cannot get comfortable – no matter what you do.
- You find that you no longer have control over your bladder or your bowels.
- You find that you are having a difficult time balancing and/or walking.
What Medications Cause a Stiff Neck?
There are many types of medications that are capable of causing a stiff neck. These include over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen. Prescription medications like Tylenol that contains oxycodone. Medications that are designed to relax the muscles. Cortisone injections may cause stiffness in the neck. There are some types of anticonvulsants – like Gabapentin/Neurontin – that may cause a stiff neck. If you start any type of new medication treatment and suddenly develop a stiff neck, you should assume that the new treatment is causing the issue and you should consult with a doctor immediately.
Are There Certain Infections That Cause Neck Pain?
Yes, there are infections that have the potential to cause a stiff neck. The most serious of these being meningitis. If you have a stiff neck and the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately as there may be a more serious issue occurring in your body:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Mental State Changes
- Issues with Coordination and Balance
- Weight Loss
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Fever
What is the Most Dangerous Infection That Causes a Stiff Neck?
Meningitis is the most serious and dangerous of all infections that cause a stiff neck. This infection causes the protective membranes associated with the brain and the spinal cord to experience a serious degree of inflammation. The main symptoms associated with this condition include headache, fever, and the inability to flex the neck in a forward position. Early treatments are successful. Delayed treatments could result in complications such as brain damage, the loss of hearing, and death.
How Should I Sleep if I Have Neck Pain?
If you have neck pain, it is best to sleep on your side or directly on your back. This will help reduce the amount of strain on your spine and neck region. In addition to this, you should consider sleeping without a pillow. This will help in aligning the spine and reducing the arch that develops in the spine when sleeping with a pillow.
Are There Good Pillows for Neck Pain?
Yes, there are several pillows on the market that may help alleviate neck pain. There are those designed for pressure relief, side sleepers, memory foam, cooling, and more. By doing a little research, you are sure to discover the best pillow for your needs. Ideal options include Tempurpedic Tempur for the neck, GhostPillow, Amerisleep, Eli &* Elm, and SleepEasy.
Why Does the Neck Hurt After Sleeping?
In most instances, the neck hurts after sleeping because of the fact that you slept inappropriately. It may also be a result of the pillow that you are using or an underlying sleep issue or health complication in which you are suffering. If you feel as if you are suffering from an underlying health condition, you should immediately consult with your doctor to determine the issue. Otherwise, you may work with a physical therapist in order to alleviate the pain that you are experiencing.
What Type of Physical Therapist Should I Choose for Neck Pain?
Any type of physical therapist is capable of helping with neck pain. It is best to choose one that offers a multitude of services and classes as these offer the most comprehensive exercise programs available. You should also choose one that offers treatments for various aspects of the body. In some instances – for example – if you have neck pain, you may also need physical therapy for your back, your arms, or even your legs.