Neck pain is a common discomfort experienced by individuals of all ages and backgrounds. From muscle strain to nerve compression, the causes of neck pain vary widely, impacting daily activities and overall well-being. In this article, we will discuss the common causes and when it’s time to seek professional medical assistance.
Whether you’re seeking relief from persistent neck pain or aiming to prevent neck pain altogether, the experts at Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine are here to help. Feel free to call us at our office in Granville or Coshocton, Ohio today!
Your neck is made up of the first 7 bones of your spine coming down from the base of your skull. These bones are called vertebrae. The vertebrae, ligaments, and muscles work together to provide stability and movement to the neck.
Your spinal cord passes through the middle of each vertebra in what’s called the spinal canal. Nerve roots extend out from the spinal cord to carry signals to the muscles and brain.
Between each vertebra are disks that act as shock absorbers. They protect your spine when you walk and run.
Neck pain refers to pain in and around your spine beneath your head. It is also known as cervicalgia. There could be one of many reasons why you have neck pain.
Neck pain can be classified by where it is and how long it lasts. Axial neck pain is pain that affects your neck, whereas radicular neck pain can be felt in other areas, such as your shoulders or arms. Acute neck pain is when the pain lasts from a few days to six weeks, and chronic neck pain is when it lasts longer than 3 months.
Neck pain can have a detrimental effect on the quality of your life, and therefore, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Non-surgical treatments such as pain relief medications, neck pain exercises, physical therapy, and stress management are usually sufficient to relieve neck pain. These approaches not only target the muscles and nerves directly involved in neck discomfort but also promote blood flow, which aids in the healing process.
There are many possible reasons why you could have neck pain. The most common reasons for neck pain include the following:
When you have neck pain, you may also experience other symptoms, including the following:
Being aware of certain symptoms is vital. If a neck issue can be diagnosed and treated early on, then further neck, back, or spine damage and pain could be avoided in the future. Sharing this information with your doctor allows them to provide you with the best neck, back, and spine care.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have damaged your neck:
The neck doctors at Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine can treat the following neck conditions:
If you are seeking to relieve pain in your neck or back, schedule an appointment with the experts at Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine in Granville and Coshocton, OH. We offer personalized solutions for alleviating back and neck pain and promoting overall well-being. Contact us today!
Medically reviewed by Alex Tancevski, MD
Specialties
Services
Proudly serving professional, collegiate, and high school athletes since 1976
