Neck pain

What is neck pain?

• Pain in the neck can be due to: injury, a mechanical or muscular problem, a trapped nerve caused by a bulge in one of the discs between the vertebrae or from arthritis of the neck.
• It can range from mild discomfort to severe, burning pain.
• If the pain is 'acute' – sudden and intense – it's called a crick in the neck, facet syndrome or muscular rheumatism.
• If the pain has lasted more than three months, it's termed 'chronic' neck pain.
• Neck pain is a common condition and is more frequently seen in women than men.
• Most people will experience pain in the neck at some point in their life.

What causes neck pain?

Many things can trigger neck pain. These include:

• trauma or injury
• worry and stress
• falling asleep in an awkward position
• prolonged use of a computer keyboard.

There are several theories about why so many people suffer neck pain, but they are not supported by scientific proof. For most people, no specific reason for the pain can be found.

However, in some cases it is possible to make a precise diagnosis. The underlying problem could be a slipped disc, brittle bones (osteoporosis), deformed natural curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and, very rarely, structural damage due to tumors or infection.

Finally, road traffic accidents involving whiplash injury may result in acute or chronic neck pain that takes several months to improve.

What does neck pain feel like?

• 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.

What can you do yourself?

Stay as active as possible. Try to go to work and keep up your normal everyday activities – bed rest isn't necessary.

If you're given a neck-collar, try not to use this for more than one or two days. Avoid driving if you're unable to turn your head quickly.

Remember that neck pain is rarely caused by a serious illness and will often disappear within a week.

If you have had pains in the neck for a longer period, it's a good idea to consult chiropractor.

Also, the following symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying problem than simple mechanical neck pain and require that you seek further advice from your GP:

• co-existing illness, such as unexplained weight loss
• actual tenderness or pain in the neck bones (vertebrae)
• the pain simply continues to get steadily worse despite treatment
• if one or both of your arms become affected, eg persistent numbness, weakness or clumsiness.

How does the doctor or chiropractor make a diagnosis?

In most cases, a neck problem can be diagnosed by carrying out a thorough examination that may include all or some of the following:

• testing the movement of the neck
• testing for trapped nerves
• examination of the muscles
• examination of the movement of the joints of the spine, neck and hands

If you suffer from neck pain:

Call today and request a “FREE” examination and consult with Dr. King (309) 284-0707.