Types Of Neck Pain
Your body’s joints are intricately designed to help you move, think and work with no problem. However, abnormality in these joints can cause extreme types of neck pain, so much so that it affects day-to-day activities.
For example, the cervical spine has seven major bones known as vertebrae. There is a small joint between these bones known as the facet joints, which link all seven bones together, allowing you to turn your head from one side to the other.
The Neck is also a complex group of bones and muscles that allow us to lift our heads, turn them from side to side, and bend our head forward towards our chests.
Our Neck is also responsible for creating a clear airway that allows us to breathe, swallow food, and speak. In other words, the Neck plays a significant role in every aspect of our daily lives.
Signs and symptoms of neck pain
Neck pain can vary depending on the underlying cause. However, some general symptoms of neck pain may include:
- Headache
- Muscle spasms and stiffness in the neck area
- Pain that radiates down the arms or shoulders
- Neck pain that gets worse when you move your head or neck
- Decreased range of motion in the neck area
- Tingling or numbness in the arms or hands
- Dizziness or light headedness
Below are a few instances of what can occur when things go wrong. While not an exhaustive list, it does provide some clues as to common issues arising from different types of neck pain.
1. Muscular Pain / Spasm
When you strain your Neck by working too hard or playing too aggressively, it may become painful. The pain is caused by muscle spasms that develop in response to muscles’ over-activity, causing them to be sore. Most typically, this pain is felt between the neck and shoulder blades.
The most frequent cause of neck discomfort is muscular strains, sprains, and tears. When the muscle is stretched to an extreme degree, one or more of these layers of connective tissue can break down and produce discomfort and muscle weakening.
Pain is relative to the amount of swelling and change in the local tissue. Therefore, as strain and changes progress, so can the level of pain and discomfort experienced.
Sudden muscle spasms can also be included. For example, most of us have experienced waking to find it difficult to move our head and Neck one way or the other. This ‘spasm’ response can be indicative of changes occurring within the muscle or joint.
Spending excessive time in front of a computer workstation can create ongoing issues that may require reconsidering how you spend your working day.
2. Neck (Cervical) Joint Pain
The cervical vertebrae are the top seven bones in the spinal column that form your Neck. Facet joints link the bones together. These are tiny joints between your vertebrae that, together with your neck muscles, allow you to move your head in any direction.
The joints that act to allow your Neck to move are the facet joints. The facets themselves are bony surfaces that face each other when you move your head in different ways. This is part of how they allow us to move our heads in any direction. However, when the joint surfaces aren’t correctly positioned, this can lead to damage and pain.
Deep, sharp, and aching pain is felt when these joints are injured, or arthritic deterioration occurs. When pressure is applied to the joint with neck movement, this discomfort typically intensifies. This pain may also spread to your shoulder or upper back, sending misery throughout your entire upper body.
3. Referred Pain
Pain that begins in one region of your body but is felt somewhere else is known as referred pain. You may also get neck pain if an issue in another area of your body causes it.
If you experience discomfort only when performing a certain activity or pressing on a specific region of your body, this is referred pain, and it may be necessary to visit an expert to determine whether you have any underlying concerns.
4. Bone (Cervical Vertebra) Pain
The soft tissue structures of the Neck (cervical spine) are the most common cause of neck pain. However, it’s possible for bones to be painful, albeit less frequently than soft tissue problems. Pain and soreness in the cervical vertebras are far less prevalent than neck discomfort caused by soft tissues. However, it is still severe enough to require immediate medical attention.
5. Headache
Occasionally, a headache might give you neck pain. Headaches caused by muscular tension or spasms in the Neck can be felt in the back of the head and upper Neck. It’s typically more of a dull ache or ‘throbbing’ pain that may be accompanied by tenderness or stiffness. You may also experience a limited range of motion – such as found with too much mobile device usage (Text Neck).
6. Injuries
WHIPLASH is a common neck-related injury. It can occur when your head rapidly moves in one direction and then back. For instance, if you’re driving your car and someone strikes you from the rear, this could be the case. Whiplash does not always present immediately; in fact, it may take time for you to notice anything. However, if left untreated, whiplash can cause nerve discomfort and headaches.
7. Nerve Pain / Irritation
If a nerve in your Neck becomes irritated, you could feel pain, numbness, or tingling down the length of the arm (including hand and fingers). While difficult to describe, pain attributed to pressure on the nerve as it exits the spinal cord can lead to a ‘pinched’ nerve, leading to impingement or irritation at the nerve root. As pressure on the nerve at the joint increases, the more discomfort, pain, and local changes can be felt.
The key to keeping neck pain manageable is early recognition and appropriate treatment. Neck issues should not be ignored as they can lead to more serious health problems if left untreated!
PLEASE CONSIDER
If any of the above-mentioned neck discomforts sounds like you, you should consider seeking immediate medical attention. While your neck discomfort might be isolated in nature, it’s possible that it’s a sign of a more severe problem. Even if the pain is restricted to one location, an expert medical professional can assist you in determining the source of your discomfort.
PLEASE NOTE
The information provided should not replace the advice and expertise of an accredited health care provider. Any inquiry into posture care and any potential impact on your health and wellbeing should be directed to your health care provider.