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.
But in some cases it’s possible to make a precise diagnosis. The underlying problem could be a slipped disc, or osteoporosis, or deformed natural curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and, very rarely, structural damage due to tumours or infection.
Finally, road traffic accidents involving whiplash injury may result in acute or chronic neck pain that takes several months to improve.
Treatment
Neck pain may be helped by
- chiropractic treatment
- physiotherapy, including advice on posture and the use of a supportive pillow
- acupuncture provides relief for significant numbers of people with chronic neck and shoulder pain
