Have you been suffering from cervical pain recently? Or, is it something that has troubled you for at least weeks? Either way, it should be a major concern. Even mild neck and shoulder pain can worsen over time if left untreated.
Let’s discuss everything important about this pain in detail below.
What is cervical pain?
The discomfort or the problem of inflammation in the neck and shoulder area that could range from mild to severe in intensity is referred to as neck pain or cervical pain.
This pain can be because of various conditions such as muscle strain, poor posture, injury, arthritis or other underlying problems like cancer that has reached the stage of metastasis.
Types of neck pain
The neck pain is of two types. One instance of neck pain can last for a few days while another might last for weeks. Thus, your neck pain might be temporary or chronic.
In case it is chronic and it has lasted for months, don’t overlook the situation. Your neck pain might also be because of an advanced case of cancer. You have got to see a doctor immediately. For the best specialist, refer to the following link: the best doctor for cervical pain in Delhi.
Ways to get rid of temporary cervical pain
Any of the following might be effective for you to cure the neck pain condition.
Temperature Compression: Ice and heat application around your painful and inflamed neck area would definitely help with swelling and pain. Ice works best on swelling and heat helps with pain, making the stiff muscles relaxed and more flexible.
Good Posture: Practice good postures as long and straining ways of standing and sitting might be the cause of your neck pain. If you work on the laptop throughout the day, avoid the position of your neck where it is inclined forward away from the straight right angle.
Activity Modification: Sometimes, overexercise is responsible for cervical pain. Or, it could be any other strenuous or arduous activity like too much yoga or dancing. In that case, activity modification works best when you know what might have caused the problem.
Just avoid the activity for a while so the neck pain can correct itself, without any medical intervention, with time.
Mild Stretching and Exercise: Try if a gentle neck workout yields any positive results. Check out extending your neck sideways till your ear touches the shoulder or rotating it slowly in a circular motion. Yet, be mindful. If it worsens, see an orthopedic doctor for the best solution.
Rest and Breaks: If the condition of cervical pain started after waking up one day, it could be due to sleeping in a straining or bad posture, then you must ensure that you don’t sleep in the wrong positions.
Try to maintain the following posture while sleeping: lie down on your back and keep both your hands clasped together and placed over your chest area. It will help with neck pain over time if the wrong sleep posture is causing the problem.
Massage: Go and see a physiotherapist who can ensure the perfect massage therapy. Sometimes, neck pain is nothing but a result of strained or tensed muscles.
Painkillers: Take neck pain medicines for instant relief and the problem will be resolved over time.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and the risk of cervical pain.
Neck Strain: Don’t do anything that can put more pressure on your neck than it can stand. Neck muscle strain is the biggest cause of neck pain or cervical pain worldwide because of an ever-growing increase in screen time.
Causes of neck pain
Your pain in the neck could be because of the following reasons.
- Muscle Strain—everything that can pressurise muscles beyond their capacity will cause muscle strain.
- Poor Posture—using a very high pillow to sleep is an example of poor posture.
- Neck Injuries—Involvement in a serious road accident can cause bad injuries or damage to the neck muscles and bones causing inflammation and cervical pain.
- Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis—these forms of arthritis could also be culprits.
- Herniated Discs—This is a serious condition of the backbone disc. If not treated in time, it might also lead to pinched nerve syndrome.
- Pinched Nerves—The human body contains nerves everywhere. When any of the nerves surrounding the neck and shoulder area get compressed, it can cause neck pain.
- Stress and Tension—Taking too much stress could be the cause as well as it can initiate muscle contractions around the area.
Diagnosis
The following are the diagnostic options.
Medical History: The doctor will first look at your previous medical records. It will help know if the cause can be detected without further examination.
Physical Examination: The doctor might check your neck by hand to examine the range of motion and tenderness and ultimately determine whether there are any abnormalities causing the neck pain.
Imaging Studies: If your physical examination and medical history reveal no concerns or otherwise, your doctor may order you to have any of the following imaging tests.
- X-rays
- MRI
- CT Scan
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)
Laboratory Tests: Neck pain is often linked to autoimmune disorders and infections. Consequently, a blood test may be recommended for further diagnostic assessment.
Treatments available
There are various options for the cure of neck pain. The first thing that your doctor can go for is rest and activity modification. You will just have to take enough relaxation to relieve your neck muscles of tension and stress.
Activity modification means you will have to abstain from certain activities to prevent the further exacerbation of your neck pain. If your neck pain started after a strenuous workout, you will be recommended to stay away from the same and rest for a while.
However, mostly, neck pain can be treated with the help of physiotherapy and pain medication as it is the best course to go about treating less serious neck pain or cervical conditions.
Posture improvement also helps. Be careful that you don’t strain your neck muscles. Neck braces and collars are suggested to immobilise the neck area so that it can promote healing.
If nothing conventional works, surgical interventions are ensured to provide the most effective relief.
Preventive measures
If you want to prevent neck pain, consider the following points.
- Use good posture.
- Make room for frequent breaks.
- Ensure a comfortable seat.
- Quit alcoholism or smoking.
- Don’t strain your neck due to carrying heavy bags over your shoulders.
- Take adequate rest and sleep.
- Avoid a completely sedentary lifestyle.
Conclusion
If your neck pain has lasted for a long period of time, don’t overlook the condition. Ensure that you schedule an appointment with a well-qualified orthopedist in Delhi as soon as possible.