Neck pain is one of the most common complaints people experience. It can be caused by several factors, including injury and poor posture. There are seven types of neck pain that you should be aware of. Read on.
Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. It is caused by age-related wear and tears and can lead to neck pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness.
The symptoms of cervical spondylosis include:
- Headaches
- Neck pain that spreads into your shoulders or arms
- Tingling or numbness in your hands or fingers, especially when you bend forward at work.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms regularly, talk to your doctor about how to manage them—and if they don’t improve after a few weeks or months, make an appointment for further testing.
Cervical Strain or Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury that occurs when your head is whipped in an unexpected direction, stretching the ligaments and tendons in your neck beyond their normal range of motion. This causes pain and stiffness in your neck.
Cervical strain or whiplash can be caused by a car accident or any other event that causes sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head (such as jolting from side to side during a sports activity).
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries can occur in a variety of ways, and the effects of a neck injury can be serious and long-term. Neck injuries are painful and can cause numbness, tingling, headaches, or difficulty moving your neck. The most common causes of neck injuries include car accidents and falls. If you suspect you have sustained a mild or moderate neck injury after an accident like this, seek medical attention immediately to ensure proper treatment.
Arthritis
Arthritis causes inflammation of the joints. It can affect the neck, shoulders, and back, but it’s usually easier to manage if you know what type of arthritis you have. A medial branch nerve block can help reduce pain in these areas by numbing them temporarily while also relieving pain signals from other areas, such as muscles or joints surrounding your spine.
Muscle Spasm
A spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of your muscles. The most common cause of muscle spasms in the neck is whiplash, but other injuries can also cause them. If you have a muscle spasm that lasts longer than three months, see your doctor—it may be something more serious or even cancerous.
Pain in Bones
When the bones in your neck are injured or become inflamed, they can cause a lot of pain. The most common types of bone-related neck pain include:
- Bone spurs—small lumps on bones in response to arthritis or another condition.
- Cervical vertebrae fractures—a broken bone in one of the cervical vertebrae.
- Cervical osteoarthritis—a degenerative joint disease that affects the cervical vertebrae.
Pain in Nerves
Neck pain can also be caused by problems in the nerves that run through your neck. The two most common types of nerve-related neck pain are Carpal tunnel syndrome—a condition where the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, causing numbness and tingling in the fingers. Sciatica—inflammation or irritation of one or more spinal nerve roots that travel from your spine down to your legs.
Conclusion
There are many types of neck pain, from a stiff neck to a sore throat. But no two neck pain types are the same. Knowing the differences between the different types of neck pain will help you figure out what kind of treatment is best for you.
Call your doctor immediately or visit the nearest clinic if you feel the pain you have is abnormal.
