Have you recently woken up and asked yourself, “Why does my neck hurt?”
Neck pain is a common condition that typically causes people to experience mild to moderate levels of discomfort, but it can be debilitating if the underlying cause is left untreated. The good news is that there are many ways to treat neck pain!
In this blog post, we will discuss causes of neck pain and ways you can treat yours.
Common Neck Pain Causes
Muscle Strain:
People often experience neck pain due to muscle strain. This condition is typically found in people who perform physical work or engage in strenuous activity on a regular basis, such as athletes and manual laborers.
Worn Joints:
The joints in your neck are very susceptible to wear and tear over time. This causes the bones within the joint to rub together, which is extremely painful.
Nerve Compression:
Nerves in your neck can become compressed because of a herniated disk, arthritis, or a bulging disc. If this is the case, you will notice pain and tingling sensations radiating from your arms into your shoulders and down to your fingertips.
Injury:
Trauma causes muscles to spasm as they attempt to protect your neck. This causes pain and swelling, which can sometimes result in a limited range of motion if the muscles become too stiff to move properly.
Degenerative Diseases:
If you have a condition such as osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, or rheumatoid arthritis, then you are at an increased risk of experiencing neck pain.
Options for Neck Pain Treatments
Exercise:
People who experience chronic neck pain can benefit from regular exercise to strengthen the surrounding muscles and stretch out tightened muscles.
Medication:
If you are suffering from neck pain due to muscle strain, then over-the-counter medications can reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort caused by the injury. However, always talk with your doctor before taking medication for any reason!
Heat/Ice Therapy:
Physical therapists often recommend alternating between heat therapy (via a heating pad) and ice therapy (via a cold pack or towel dipped in water). This causes blood vessels to expand, which reduces swelling.
Surgery:
If you have severe neck pain that isn’t getting better with time, then surgery may be an option. A surgeon can inject medication into the joint to reduce inflammation and release pressure on the nerve roots.
Exercise, medication, and physical therapy are just a few ways that you can treat neck pain at home! If your condition is severe, then contact your doctor to see what else they recommend for treating chronic neck pain. For more assistance with neck pain in Omaha, turn to Midwest Pain Clinics.
Not sure we are the right option for you at this time? Read: Signs You Need to See a Pain Management Doctor.
