Why Does My Neck Hurt?
Neck pain is a common complaint in the United States. In fact, nearly 50% of individuals will continue to experience some degree of chronic neck pain or frequent occurrences. The neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, making it vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion.
Symptoms of neck pain:
Signs and symptoms of neck pain can vary widely. Some may experience mild issues, while others have to avoid any excessive movement at all costs. Neck pain usually involves one or more of the following symptoms:
- Stiff neck
- Sharp pain, such as stinging or stabbing feeling, in the lower neck
- General soreness
- Trouble with gripping or lifting objects
- Headaches
What causes neck pain?
The most common causes of neck pain are muscle and tendon strains. Many cases of strains and sprains result from overuse or overextension, such as:
Poor posture
Incorrect posture can affect the muscles, nerves, connective tissues, joints, or spinal discs. When you spend long periods of time slouching or hunched over in front of a computer screen, this position places extra stress on the neck. Fixing your posture can help prevent pain, injuries and other health problems in the future.
Repetitive motion
Repetitive motions usually results in an overuse injury. Overuse injuries trigger muscle strains, which can affect the neck. When you are turning your head in a repetitive manner, such as side to side while swimming, you are overusing the neck’s muscles, tendons and ligaments, which can cause sharp pain and stiffness.
Bad sleeping habits
Have you ever woken up in the morning and had a stiff neck or headache? This was most likely caused by your pillow or your sleeping posture. A study suggests that the correct sleeping posture is important to prevent neck and shoulder musculoskeletal pain.
Worn joints
Similar to the other joints in our body, the neck joints and discs tend to wear down with age. Cervical spondylosis, also known as arthritis of the neck, is the medical term for these age-related, wear-and-tear changes that occur over time.
Injuries and trauma
Any type of fall or impact to the body can cause neck pain. This can include sports-related collisions or auto collisions that often result in whiplash injury. This jerks the head backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck.
Neck pain is a common condition that can affect anyone at any age, so it is important to recognize what is causing it from the beginning. Here at the Brain2Spine Institute, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of service and care to our patients. If you are experiencing chronic neck pain, call us at (727) 500-2318.