The neck region of the spinal column, also known as the cervical spine, comprises bones, nerves, ligaments, muscles, and several vertebrae that connect the torso to the head and cervical discs that absorb daily shock. The neck holds the head up and allows for movement, such as turning left or right and looking up or down.

Neck pain usually stems from overuse and bad posture. Most people experience neck pain or stiffness at some point in their life; however, typically, this is short-term pain that clears up on its own. Most of those with neck pain will feel better in one to two weeks, and 90% of people will have no pain after eight weeks. However, for some, neck pain can last significantly longer and requires the expertise of a professional neck pain management specialist to help relieve your discomfort.

​

Causes Of Neck Pain

The neck is designed to support the head’s weight and is therefore vulnerable to daily wear, leading to pain and restricting your entire range of motion. Other conditions can also cause neck pain in individuals. Some common reasons for neck pain include:

 

Injury: Trauma, such as the neck being suddenly forced to move or rebound in the opposite direction (i.e., whiplash from the result of a car accident), can leave someone feeling sore for days. Serious injuries, such as those involving sports injuries or slip-and-fall accidents, are more likely to lead to spinal fractures and other issues that can cause long-term neck pain.

 

Muscle Strain: This is one of the leading causes of neck pain. Sitting hunched over at a desk/computer for hours without changing positions can strain the muscles in the neck and create a sore or “crick in your neck.” Another way to strain the neck muscles is by sleeping in the wrong position, sleeping someplace other than your bed, or using a pillow that does not offer enough head and neck support can result in discomfort.

 

Age: During the natural aging process, there is a higher risk of wearing down the joints and cartilage in your neck. Degenerative diseases, like Osteoarthritis and Spinal Stenosis, are some of the leading causes of joint and cartilage damage. Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces within your spine that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Osteoarthritis is the actual wearing down of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones. This affects millions of people worldwide.

 

Herniated Disc: Also known as a bulging disc, a herniated disc occurs when the ‘inner jelly-like substance’ pushes out of the disc because of tears or defects in the outer cartilage layer. This puts pressure on the spinal nerves, causing pain. Herniated discs can develop anywhere along the spine, although seen more in the lower back or neck. Discs that are particularly susceptible to herniation are usually at the early stage of degeneration.

 

Fibromyalgia: is a painful condition that causes musculoskeletal pain all over the body, along with fatigue, sleep problems, difficulty with memory, and moodiness. About 4 million adults in the U.S. are affected by Fibromyalgia. People who are middle-aged or older tend to be diagnosed more often with this condition than younger individuals.

 

Stress: Stress can significantly increase tension in the body. This can cause the muscles in the neck to tighten and become sore as a result.

Other Conditions: Some other health conditions that can lead to neck pain are Bone Spurs, Meningitis, and Cancer.

 

Who Is More At Risk: While anyone of any age can experience neck pain, certain groups experience a higher risk for neck pain than others.

Neck pain tends to occur more frequently in women than men between the ages of 40 and 60. Neck pain is also found more often in jobs requiring individuals to sit at a computer desk all day. This is because this work usually involves being hunched over their work with very little movement throughout the day. Anyone who works in a hazardous job that can potentially result in injury (i.e., contractors and construction workers) may develop neck pain from these work-related injuries.

 

Symptoms Of Neck Pain

Neck pain may either occur in a specific area of the neck or it may radiate along nerves. For example, down your arm. When neck pain is widespread, it can affect reflexes and muscle strength in the affected areas and can even cause tingling sensations. Some neck pain symptoms, or symptoms that coincide with neck pain, require urgent medical attention. These symptoms include:

 

• Signs of paralysis, such as difficulty moving your fingers

• Neck pain after an accident

• Unintentional weight loss

• Fever or chills

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Frequent numbness or tingling sensations in your hands or legs

• Trouble keeping your balance when walking.

 

Ways To Prevent Neck Pain

In the digital age, neck pain has become increasingly common. Sitting at your computer or staring at your smartphone can add to tension, stiffness, and neck pain.

 Although neck pain is not always preventable, you can make changes in several ways to minimize your chances of experiencing neck pain. Our neck specialist at TIPI Pain Management in Houston can assist you with chronic neck pain to enhance the quality of your life.

Ergonomic workstations: These are work areas that are comfortable and efficient. Not having an ergonomic workstation is one of the most common culprits of neck pain, especially for people who work from home or continually look down at a laptop screen.

To improve your workstation’s ergonomics in the office or at home, you may:

 

• Adjust your chair so that your feet can plant firmly on the floor with your thighs parallel to the ground.

• Choose a desk with a height that allows your forearms to parallel the floor when you type.

• Position your monitor or laptop so that your gaze is on the top third of the screen rather than looking down.

• Keeping your head buried in your phone isn’t just rude – it can harm your neck. Over time, continually looking downward can injure your neck’s discs, joints, and ligaments. This damage is so common that medical providers have coined the term “tech neck” to describe what happens to your neck when you’re constantly looking down at a screen.

 

Exercise: Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. Exercise strengthens your muscles and bones, increases blood flow, and reduces your risk of injury. Specifically, strengthening your back muscles helps support proper posture, lessening your neck pain risk.

 

Quit smoking: Tobacco constricts your blood vessels and decreases blood flow. It also accelerates how quickly your cervical discs dry out. If you need help quitting smoking, speak with your healthcare provider. If required, they can offer resources to help you stay committed to leaving, including smoking cessation classes.

 

Stay hydrated: Your discs are mostly water, so hydration is crucial to keeping your discs healthy. In general, most people need around 64 ounces of water daily. But you may need more depending on where you live, how much you exercise, and your body size. If staying hydrated is challenging, try setting alarms every one to two hours. When the timer goes off, chug a full glass of water. Low-sugar juices, teas, and other liquids can also count toward your hydration goals, but caffeine and extra sugar can dehydrate you and have counteractive effects.

 

Best pillow for neck pain: What’s the best pillow for neck pain? No pillow can guarantee your comfort though they may try. But a few tips can help you ensure that the wrong pillow isn’t the root cause of your neck pain. You may:

 

Choose memory foam, which shapes the structure of your spine.

Find a comfortable travel pillow to take with you on overnight stays

Keep an eye out for flatter pillows that allow you to align your head closely with your spine.

Replace it every year.

Positioning your pillow while you sleep can also affect your neck pain risk. If you sleep on your side, set the pad between your neck and shoulder to support your neck muscles. While on your back, place a pillow under your thighs to keep your spine alignment. Sleeping on your back rather than your stomach will take the most weight off your neck. If you have chronic neck pain, try to lay on your back with a wedge pillow to help relieve tension.

 

Neck Pain Treatments: Our neck pain specialist Dr. Brett Warfield provides a wide range of neck pain treatments in Houston that are tailored to your individualized needs. Available treatments include:

​

• Injection therapy

• Stellate Ganglion Block Injections for Pain Relief

• Trigger point injection

• Alternative therapies

• Medication management

​

​