Causes and risk factors
Neck pain can be caused by various reasons. Wrong postures while sitting or sleeping is the most common contributing factors for neck pain. Sudden jerk or trauma due to fall or accidents can also lead to neck pain, such neck injury caused due to jerk is called as whiplash. Musculoskeletal disorders of neck region like cervical spondylosis, ankylosing spondylosis, protruded/ prolapse disc, weak ligament are common cause for neck pain. Certain diseases like osteoporosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, meningitis, spinal erosion can also lead to neck pain. Neck pain can be referred pain of cardiac in origin (Acute coronary syndrome), or gastro esophageal origin etc.
Clinical presentation:
As the name suggest the person complaints of pain in neck. Stiffness can also occur. The pain can be continuous or intermittent. The sensation can be aching, piercing, burning, shooting or stabbing. The pain can be restricted to a specific area or it can radiate to the back or shoulder region or to the hands. The person may experience difficulty in movement of neck or frozen neck (torticollis) in certain cases associated symptom can be present like numbness or tingling in upper extremities where there is severe nerve compression in the vertebral column.
Investigations:
In cases of pain in neck diagnosis is done of the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and the physical examination is carried out by the doctor. Certain investigations which can be done are X-ray of the cervical region or spine, MRI or CT scan can be done. In rare cases bone scans and nerve studies like electromyography (EMG, NCT) can be done.
Treatment:
Generally acute neck pain is self limiting in nature, disappears with or without medications in few days. Change in lifestyles is necessary to correct the pain where there is no underlying pathology. Adequate rest, correction of wrong postures and regular exercises needs to be adopted. Cold and hot compressions along with pain relieving medications can be advised. In addition application of local pain relieving gels is advised. In severe cases with underlying causes as disc protrusion etc are treated with surgical intervention. Long term rehab measures are advised in patients with chronic neck pain. Conservative mode of treatment in treating neck is the preferred mode.
Other Modes of treatment:
Certain other modes of treatment can also be helpful in coping up the symptom. Taking into consideration the symptoms in holistic way, homoeopathy can offer a good aid for the relief of the symptoms. The Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbs and synthetic derivates can also be beneficial in combating the complaints. Acupuncture which is the science of insertion of fine needles on the certain stimulating spots on the body has proved to be effective. Certain yoga exercises can also be helpful in relieving the pain and strengthening the muscles. Cheropathy is another science
Recent updates:
The American heart association has published that Manipulating the neck has been associated with cervical dissection, a type of arterial tear that can lead to stroke. Although a direct cause-and-effect link has not been established between neck manipulation and the risk of stroke.
A study carried University of North Carolina Health Care showed chronic pain to be common among people involved in car accidents.
