Neck pain is something that every individual has experienced on occasion throughout their lives.
Regardless of how common it may be for some, it can be an extremely mind-numbing pain to deal with.
It doesn’t matter if the pain is minor or more severe; neck pain can be a significant distraction in everyday life.
Of course, you have numerous options when it comes to managing neck pain properly, but a lot of this has to do with discerning how the pain came to be in the first place.
Neck pain can be such a nuisance that it makes daily tasks more troublesome than they need to be.
In extreme cases, neck pain can require surgery depending on its source, but standard pain medication can help too.
This article will highlight the various types of neck pain, along with risk factors and what you can do to treat it.
What Causes Neck Pain?
It’s actually pretty easy to instigate neck pain, as everyday tasks can pose a strain on various areas of the neck. Many people have found that it doesn’t take much to strain the neck or pull a muscle.
Once you do, the pain soon follows, usually within 24hrs of the minor or more severe injury.
One of the most general causes of neck pain comes from how you sleep at night.
This cause is hard to avoid as you don’t even know you’re doing it. After waking up, you feel a new pain that you didn’t go to bed with, and it can put a damper right from the start of your day.
A side from sleeping patterns, there are a few other known causes related to various neck pains.
Some of these causes include:
- Walking or sitting with a poor posture
- Working on a computer that’s positioned too low or too high
- Lifting heavy objects too quickly and without proper technique
- Twisting your neck too hard
- Straining neck muscles during exercise
Each of these can generate neck pain that’s quite mild or extremely damaging. The neck is something that should be handled with care, as enough damage can lead to lifelong injury and discomfort.
Aside from physical injury, neck pain can also be caused by other medical or even psychological complications within the body.
Here are several causes of neck pain that are less common:
- Infections in the spine
- Cancer in the spine
- Cervical arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- General sprains
- Ruptured disk
Even if you’re sure you can handle the neck pain on your own, it never hurts to have a medical professional offer some guidance.
Neck pain is something that can become more damaging with time if left untreated.
The last thing you should consider is diving into surgery to handle neck pain, so it’s always wise to be as proactive as possible.
Aside from seeking out medical care, there’s plenty you can do at home to manage neck pain and potentially find relief on your own.
Managing Neck Pain at Home
It’s understandable to try and handle neck pain on your own at first, especially if the symptoms are relatively mild. Better yet, there are numerous solutions for home remedies that can significantly decrease the presence and debilitating nature of neck pain.
Starting with home remedies should be the first step. If the neck pain isn’t getting any better or becomes unbearable, that would be your sign to contact a medical professional.
Aside from home remedies, there are a few aspects you want to consider before going down this route.
- What solutions do you have to relieve the pain?
- Can you identify what caused the pain?
- Which medicines are safe to take regarding your particular health?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you can safely move forward with treatment options at home. Don’t feel overwhelmed, as there are plenty to choose from, and in most cases, they work pretty well for most people.
It’s essential to mention that a lot of these solutions focus on minor cases of neck pain. Those who suffer from more severe circumstances may only find solace in the help of a medical professional.
Consider the following solutions to manage minor cases of neck pain:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
- Utilize slow range of motion exercises to help reduce inflammation
- Consider switching to a more firm mattress or pillow set for better bodily and neck support
- Refrain from partaking in strenuous activities
- Apply heat with warm compresses, hot showers, or even a heating pad
- Switch between hot and cold compresses
- Look into utilizing massaging techniques
You can utilize one or several of these methods to achieve substantial results. Neck pain may be a considerable hassle, but it doesn’t have to control your everyday life.
Many people never need the help of a doctor to eliminate neck pain, as it’s a common issue that can be relatively easy to manage.
In Conclusion
Yes, neck pain can be a massive distraction at all hours of the day. However, with the help of home remedies, lifestyle changes, and medical professionals, you can eliminate the presence of neck pain in a short amount of time.
Using the information in this article can ensure neck pain is a short-lived experience, and you can go back to living your daily life as usual.
