Various Causes Of Pain In The Neck
Various causes of pain in the neck
The human neck is made up of vertebrae extending from the skull to the upper torso. The bones, ligaments, and muscles present in the neck region provides support to our head and allow for any kind of motion. The cervical discs present between the bones helps to absorb any kind of external shock.
Why do you experience pain in your neck?
The main cause of neck pain or stiffness can be due to the presence of any abnormalities, inflammation or injury. In many cases, people experience neck pain or stiffness due to poor posture or overuse.
What causes neck pain?
Neck pain and stiffness can happen due to a variety of reasons which are as follows:
- Muscle tension and strain: Certain activities can result in muscle tension and strain such as poor posture of neck and body during working or sleeping. It could also be due to accidentally jerking your neck during exercises.
- Injury: An injury caused due to accidents or sports can force the muscles and ligaments of the neck to move outside of their normal range leading to neck pain and stiffness.
Are there any rare causes of neck pain?
Yes, even though there are rare cases, neck pain can be also be attributed to:
- Congenital abnormalities
- Infections
- Tumors
- Spine cancer
When is it time to seek a Doctor?
Most of the times, a neck pain isn’t a serious issue and gets resolved within a few days. But, if you experience neck pain that persists for more than a week and is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, etc, then it is advisable to seek a doctor immediately.
The symptoms that can show along with your neck pain are as follows:
- Formation of a lump in your neck
- The onset of sudden fever
- A headache
- Swollen glands in the neck or throat region
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trouble swallowing and breathing
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Inability to move your arms or hands
- Inability to touch your chin to your chest
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
In case, your neck pain is associated with above-mentioned symptoms, then pay a visit to your doctor immediately and tell him or her about the specifics of your symptoms. Your doctor may have to perform several physical tests or exams to find out the definitive cause of your neck pain.