 |
Chronic Neck PainChronic neck pain is a very common complaint. Like back pain, it can have causes ranging from the benign to the serious. I'll cover some of the more common conditions related to chronic neck pain here. Chronic Neck and Back Pain Sometimes what seems to be neck pain can be traced to problems that actually are occurring in the back. It's not uncommon to have a very stiff neck, but to have the actual painful muscle be the trapezius in the middle back. You can tell if that is the case by pressing on the trapezius muscle or having someone do it for you. If the trapezius is tender and pressing it allows you to move your head more freely, then that's likely the problem. Radiating Chronic Neck PainPain that radiates down the arm, hands and fingers may be caused by a cervical herniated disc or foraminal stenosis. In foraminal stenosis there is a narrowing of the spinal canal which puts pressure on the nerves, causing pain. This type of pain can sneak up on you, or may come on all at once.This type of radiating pain is a sign that you need to see a doctor; you may still make use of alternative pain management methods, but you do need to be evaluated professionally. Other Conditions Causing Neck PainIn addition to having a herniated cervical disc or foraminal stenosis, there are a few other conditions that can cause chronic neck pain. These include:*Cervical degenerative disc disease - Some degeneration of the discs in the neck is very common with age; fortunately, most of us don't have significant pain or other symptoms; and *Cervical osteoarthritis - Most frequently affecting those over 60 years old. While neck pain is usually caused by muscular-skeletal problems, there are cases in which it is cancer related. Click here to see what other symptoms might be causes of concern in our Neck Pain and Cancer article. Non-Specific Chronic Neck PainMost chronic neck pain does not have a specific known cause. It may be caused by skeletal and muscular imbalances. It may be due to poor postural or persistent work stress, or some combination of factors. This is the neck pain that is the most difficult to treat as a result. While alternative pain management techniques can be helpful for any type of neck pain, they are particularly critical when the pain is non-specific. If your neck pain has no specific diagnosis, then try the stretching exercises suggested below, stick with a good, moderate exercise program, incorporate yoga, and try massage if you're able. Non-specific pain is especially related to stress, both causing high levels of stress and being exacerbated by stress. Read more here about Neck Pain and Stress Management. Neck and Jaw PainWhat we perceive as neck pain can be closely associated with problems in the jaw, including TMJ (tempomandibular joint) problems. Read this article on Diagnosis and Treatment of Neck and Jaw Pain.Neck Pain and ExerciseExercise can be a very effective tool in helping manage and control recurrent neck pain. This has been the subject of some recent research. You can get some specific ideas of what exercises are the most helpful for relief of neck pain at the Neck Pain Exercise page.Chronic Neck pain can have a negative impact on your ability to get a good night's sleep. Read more here about how to get a good night's sleep in spite of neck pain. General Approaches to Treatment of Chronic Neck PainThe best approach for nearly every type of neck pain is conservative treatment. This includes application of heat and cold and using analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory medications to help manage pain.Exercise is also part of a good basic plan. In addition to your general cardiovascular and strengthening program, you can do some specific gentle exercises that help increase flexibility and decrease stiffness in the neck muscles. Some basic neck muscle exercises include: *Swiveling the head gently from left to right; *Tilting the head, ear toward the shoulder, to the left and to the right, gently stretching the side of the neck; *Stretching chin down to chest, stretching the back of the neck; *Chin to the sky, stretching the front of the neck muscles. Do all stretches slowly and gently, without jerky movements. Start with ten times for each stretch, then gradually increase. You can certainly do these more than once daily.
In addition to stretching exercises you can do on your own, a physical therapist may be able to suggest more specific exercises. Alternative treatments used in back pain, like acupuncture and massage, may also be helpful for your neck pain. Surgical Alternatives: If conservative treatment does not result in improvement, then surgery may be considered, usually in cases of foraminal stenosis or cervical herniated discs.
|
