Understanding Neck Pain: Common Causes and When to See a Specialist

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

. http://yourhealthmagazine.net

More Pain Management & Rehabilitation Articles

Understanding Neck Pain: Common Causes and When to See a Specialist

Neck pain is one of the most common (and annoying) health problems you can face.

Sometimes it’s barely noticeable. Other times it feels like someone is squeezing your neck in a vice.

But what most people don’t know is why their neck hurts. Or when they should be concerned.

Fortunately, this guide explores several of the most common causes of neck pain and reveals what you should do about it. Herniated disc neck pain included.

What you’re going to learn:

• The Most Common Causes of Neck Pain
• Herniated Discs: How they Cause Neck Pain
• Warning Signs You Should NEVER Ignore
• When to Visit a Specialist

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain doesn’t develop overnight for no reason.

Something is always causing it even if you can’t pinpoint the exact source.

Let’s take a look at some of the leading causes:

• Muscle strain – This is typically the result of bad posture while sitting or standing, sleeping awkwardly, or leaning over your computer too long.

• Degenerative disc disease – Much like muscle strain, the spine deteriorates with age. Reduced water content in the discs of your cervical spine causes stiffness and pain.

• Herniated discs – As discs become dryer, they’re more likely to tear and bulge out. These herniated discs can irritate and compress nearby nerves.

• Spinal stenosis – This is a narrowing of the spinal canal that results in pressure being applied to the spinal cord and nerves.

• Injury – Accidents such as car crashes, sports injuries, slips, and falls can cause whiplash, fractures, and other painful conditions.

For the most part, these problems are all manageable. If you ignore the pain in your neck and allow it to continue happening for long periods of time, that’s when it becomes a serious problem.

Herniated Discs: How They Cause Neck Pain

As briefly mentioned earlier, a herniated disc develops when the inner portion of your spinal disc starts to protrude out.

When this happens in your neck, it can irritate nearby nerves leading to pain. This can occur anywhere along the cervical spine but is most common in these areas:

You’ll feel slightly different symptoms depending on the affected disc but cervical disc herniation commonly causes neck pain that radiates down your shoulders and arms.

C6 herniated disc symptoms, for example, often include tingling or numbness down one arm into the fingers.

Weakness is another symptom people experience with cervical disc herniation.

It typically affects wrists and the bicep on one side of the body.

The tricky part about cervical disc herniation is that it’s actually more common in women. Research shows that cervical disc herniation accounts for over 60% of cases in women versus men.

Interestingly enough, the most frequently diagnosed age group for herniated discs in the neck is between 51-60 years old.

Age isn’t the only risk factor that leads to cervical disc herniation. Some others include:

• Obesity
• Jobs requiring heavy lifting
• Smoking history
• Repetitive neck motion
• Prior neck injury

How severe the pain in your neck is depends on the size of the herniation as well as its location. Some people can feel mild pain while others experience intense burning or shooting pain that makes it difficult to turn their head.

Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Not all neck pain is created equal.

While some causes can be safely managed with rest and proper care at home, other more severe symptoms require you to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

If any of the following apply to you, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention:

• You feel numbness or tingling that travels down your arm and into your hand
• Weakness in your arms, hands, or fingers
• Neck pain that makes it difficult to perform daily tasks like driving, working, or enjoying hobbies
• Pain that intensifies when you lay down to sleep
• Loss of bladder or bowel control (Seek emergency medical attention)
• Pain that doesn’t go away after a few weeks of resting at home
• Neck pain following a serious trauma like a car accident or fall

Many of these symptoms are caused by a herniated disc pressing on a nerve. It could also be a sign that your spinal cord is involved. Either way, you shouldn’t delay making that appointment.

Here’s some food for thought:

Neck pain was the fourth leading cause of disability around the world in 2020. Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study estimates that approximately 203 million people suffered from neck pain that year.

By 2050, that number is estimated to reach over 269 million people worldwide.

Needless to say…

Neck pain isn’t going away. If you’re part of the statistics and suffering from neck pain, don’t wait too long to seek care or your symptoms can become permanent.

When To Visit a Specialist

Alright, you probably have neck pain. You’ve tried taking it easy for a few weeks.

But when should you actually make the appointment to see a specialist?

If you’re still in pain after 4-6 weeks of self-treatment, it’s time to go see your doctor.

Other things to consider are:

• How severe is your pain? If it’s impacting your quality of life, then you shouldn’t have to suffer through it.
• Are your symptoms progressively getting worse? Things like increasing weakness should be addressed immediately.
• Did your doctor recommend an MRI? Herniated discs and spinal stenosis show up on imaging studies.

Generally, your appointment will start with a thorough physical exam and possibly diagnostic testing. An MRI or CT scan will reveal if there are any discs in your neck that are herniated or bulging.

Fortunately, the majority of disc herniations can be treated without surgery. Physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications often help relieve pain and manage your condition.

There are always cases that require surgery. Luckily, advancements in technology have made minimally-invasive procedures much more effective and safe.

Wrapping It Up

Neck pain is extremely common these days but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention to it.

Here’s your quick take away:

• Neck pain is typically caused by muscle strain, degenerative disc disease, and/or herniated discs
• Disc herniations in your neck are most commonly seen at the C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels
• Symptoms like radiating numbness, weakness, and pain that persists after weeks of resting should be checked out by a professional
• Most cases can be treated without surgery but you shouldn’t wait too long to seek care. The longer you wait, the worse your condition can become.

It’s always a good idea to listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, get it checked out.

Remember, when it comes to your spinal health, always choose early intervention over waiting for your condition to progress.