How to Treat Neck Pain?

During our lives, many of us will have neck pain, and most of us won't know exactly what caused it. In fact, neck pain can start from a whole range of causes. Maybe you slept funny and woke up with a crick that won't go away. You might've been rear-ended in your car and now you have whiplash. Perhaps you twisted it wrong one day in one of those high-intensity aerobic classes. Even though most of us will experience neck pain, we won't all feel it in the same way. Sometimes, it's just on one side of your neck; sometimes, pain shoots down your arms.

What causes neck pain?

Even with today's technology, the exact cause of back and neck pain can be found in very few cases. In most cases, neck pain may be a symptom of many different causes, including any of the following:

• overuse, strenuous activity, or improper use such as repetitive or heavy lifting
• trauma, injury, or fractures
• degeneration of vertebrae, often caused by stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine, or the effects of aging
• infection
• abnormal growth such as a tumor or bone spur
• poor muscle tone
• muscle tension or spasm
• sprain or strain
• ligament or muscle tears
• sleeping in an awkward position
• Use of a computer keyboard over a long period of time may cause the neck to hurt.

What are the symptoms?

• General pain located in the neck area as well as stiffness in the neck muscles.
• The pain may radiate down to the shoulder or between the shoulder blades.
• It may also radiate out into the arm, the hand, or up into the head, causing a one-sided or double-sided headache.
• The muscles in the neck are tense, sore and feel hard to the touch.
• Acute pain can give rise to abnormal neck posture in which the head is forced to turn to one side; this condition is known as torticollis.
• The pain at the base of the skull may be accompanied by a feeling of weakness in the shoulders and arms.
• There may be a prickly or tingling sensation in the arms and fingers.

How do I treat it?

In most cases, neck pain can be treated at home using over-the-counter medications, heat therapy, cold therapy and rest. Following tips are useful:

• One way to relieve neck pain would be to apply heat or ice to the tender area for about 15 minutes every couple of hours. This will cause the swelling and cramps to lessen.
• Slowly tilt your head one inch from side to side (first to the right, then to the left). Try to touch your chest with your chin, stretching the neck downward. Maintain this position for 10 seconds.
• While looking straight forward, you should be sitting in a neutral position.
• The area needs to be gently massaged.
• Take medicine that will stop the swelling.
• You should always be active. Attempt to keep your normal activities in check by going to work; bed rest should not be required. If you are supplied with a neck-collar try to obstain from using it for more than a couple of days.

How do I prevent it?

Here is some useful advice to help you prevent neck pain:

• Posture: chest lifted, shoulders relaxed, chin tucked in and head level. Your neck should feel strong, straight and relaxed.
• Sleeping: A down pillow or urethane pillow is best for most people. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
• Relaxation: Recognize when you are tense. You may be hunching your shoulders or clenching your teeth without realizing it.
• Work: Avoid working with your head down or to one side for long periods. Stretch and change position frequently.
• Exercise: Keep your neck joints and muscles flexible and strong with correct neck exercises. Your physiotherapist can show you how.

So as you can tell, neck pain isn't quite as simple as "just" a pain in the neck, but by learning more about it, you'll be better able to deal with it.