Neck pain is a very common problem among women as compared to men. Neck pain
is also known as cervical pain. Neck pain is experienced by the majority of
people at some point in their life. The pain can also radiated into the arm, the
hand, or up into the head that further results in a one-sided or double-sided
headache. Neck pain may results from diseases and conditions that involve bones,
joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles and nerves.
Neck pain can range from mild discomfort to a severe burning pain. Neck Pain can
be categorized as:
Acute Pain: - A pain in neck is known as acute pain if it has been present for
less than six weeks.
Chronic Pain: - A pain in neck is known as chronic pain if it has been present
for over three months.
Causes of Neck Pain are:-
Neck pain can occur due to poor posture such as falling asleep in an awkward
position or prolonged use of a computer keyboard as it causes misalignment of
your neck, head, and spine.
Certain abnormalities in the soft tissue (the muscles, ligaments, and nerves)
that may occur due to injury or prolonged wear and tear may also cause pain in
neck.
Degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may cause
neck pain.
Some infection or tumor in the neck may result in a neck pain.
Muscular strains due to prolonged driving may cause neck pain.
Treatment:-
The treatment of neck pain depends on its precise cause. In most of the cases
neck pain will disappear with the help of mild pain killers, taking proper rest.
An exercise programme can help to strengthen the neck and reduce pain. Gentle
massage of the neck muscles, particularly with aromatic oils will also help to
reduce pain.
Heat/ice applications, physical therapy such as physiotherapy, chiropractic or
osteopathy; soft collar may help to reduce neck pain. Other treatment options
include topical anesthetic creams, topical pain patches, muscle relaxants,
analgesics, and surgical procedures.