Who is most affected by neck pain?

Neck pain is very common and one out of three people is affected by neck pain at least once a year. It is more common in women than in men, and the chances of developing neck pain increase with age.

When should I call the doctor if I have neck pain?

Mild neck pain should go away within two to three days. However, contact your doctor if you have neck pain that interferes with work or other daily activities or continues for more than a week.

What is the most common reason for neck pain?

The most common cause of neck pain is muscle strain, in which a muscle is stretched too far and tears. Neck muscle strain is typically caused by poor posture or support, such as sleeping with the neck in awkward positions.

Can neck pain cause headaches?

Yes. A stiff neck can cause a headache as many neck problems can irritate, strain, or compress the nerves in the neck, which could trigger a headache.

Who is a chiropractor and how can they help with neck pain?

A chiropractic adjustment is a therapeutic treatment by a licensed chiropractor. A chiropractor will use pressure to manipulate joints in your body to realign your spine and reduce pain and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments are generally done along with traditional medical care.

Neck pain

Written By Dr. Nitika MakhijaMDS, BDS

Reviewed By Dr. Swati Mishra

BDS

Last updated on: 12 Sep 2022 | 10:05 AM (IST)

Also known as Cervicalgia and Cervical pain

Overview

Neck pain is an extremely uncomfortable condition that impairs mobility and can interfere with daily activities. With the modern sedentary lifestyle and long hours of working on laptops and scrolling through social media, people seem to ignore sitting in the correct posture. This causes excessive strain on the neck leading to neck pain.

It can also be caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, a herniated disc, a pinched nerve or neck injury. Neck pain can also be experienced during common infections, such as viral throat infection.

Neck pain can be largely prevented by maintaining a good posture, healthy weight, adequate hydration as well as neck strengthening exercises and neck bracing.

Mild neck pain can be managed at home by alternate use of ice packs and heat, gentle stretching, massage, topical anesthetic creams and over the counter pain relief medications. However, pain that persists even after 1 week should be medically evaluated.

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Overview

Key Facts

Symptoms

Causes

Risk factors

Diagnosis

Prevention

Specialist to visit

Treatment

Home-care

Complications

Alternatives therapies

Living with

FAQs

References