10 Causes Of Neck Pain
The neck is responsible for supporting and carrying the head and connects the head to the rest of the body. The neck also bears the upper portion of the spine and the spinal cord. Whenever a person uses his or her eyes, mouth, nose, or ears, the neck will usually be involved. Therefore, the neck often has to perform different types of movements and positioning.
However, the neck faces a lot of challenges due to its location and functions. Many of its tasks put the neck at risk for injury and pain. It is estimated that neck pain affects about 70 percent of the population at some point in life. But what are the causes of neck pain?
Cause #1: Posture
Posture is one of the commonest causes of neck pain. Incorrect posture can, in fact, cause chronic pain. The curve of the spine directly affects the health of the neck as well as other parts of the body. Sitting or standing for long periods of time with the neck bent causes chronic strain that may present in the form of neck pain.
You should make a conscious effort to keep a straight and good posture. When sitting for many hours at work, make it a habit to periodically get up and walk around. While working with a computer, it helps to sit at an adjustable desk so that the screen can be placed at a level that does not require bending the neck.
Cause #2: Bad Sleeping Posture
One’s sleeping position may be the cause of neck pain, especially when a person uses a very large pillow, many pillows, a small pillow, or no pillow. Neck pain occurs because the head and, in effect, the neck are misaligned with the rest of the body.
Bad sleeping posture has results similar to incorrect posture when working or texting. The neck tends to bend forward, backward, or toward one side, which ultimately strains the neck and can lead to neck pain. To prevent this, use the right number and size of pillows that support the head and neck so that the alignment of the neck and spine is not changed.
Cause #3: Arthritis
The term arthritis is broad because it refers to a condition that affects joints in various parts of the body. The most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition while osteoarthritis occurs as a result of wear and tear. Both types of arthritis cause the cartilage that lines the bones within the joints to wear off. This increases friction between joint bones and is a common cause of chronic joint pain.
Arthritis can affect any joint in the body. When arthritis affects the neck, it can cause chronic neck pain. Arthritis that affects the joints in the neck is called cervical spondylosis. Arthritis of the spine, also known as ankylosing spondylitis, can also cause neck pain.
Cause #4: Emotional Stress
It might not be too obvious, but emotional stress is a common cause of neck pain. Some doctors have actually noticed an increase in neck pain cases around the time that taxes are due. This peak has been observed over tax period for several years.
Emotional stress causes neck pain because it leads to muscular tension, which causes the muscles of the neck, back, and shoulders to tighten. The result is neck pain as well as pain in the back and shoulders. Try meditation or yoga to reduce stress and the resultant neck pain.
Cause #5: Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury caused by a sudden, violet head movement, and it can result in neck pain. Whiplash typically occurs after a car accident, a sporting accident, a fall, or even physical abuse. The sudden force to the head and neck causes injuries of varying degrees to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues in the neck.
The injuries may also involve the vertebrae and nerves in the region. Whiplash can also cause headaches. All this can cause serious neck pain that may last for several days or weeks. In some cases, whiplash can last for months.
Cause #6 Meningitis
Neck pain that also involves stiffness in the neck and other symptoms like fever could be a symptom of meningitis. Meningitis is a disease that affects the meninges (the membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord). The disease is usually caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.
While neck pain and stiffness may also be indicative of other conditions, people should be wary of a stiff neck that is accompanied by other symptoms like fever. Meningitis is a serious disease that requires urgent treatment. Otherwise, it can lead to death within hours or a few days.
Cause #7: Texting
Texting may seem like a harmless activity. It is easy to do and can be done anywhere. However, texting and spending too much time on social media can take a serious toll on the neck. Texting or scrolling on the screen of a smartphone puts the neck in a bent position that stretches the neck at the back and compresses it toward the front.
Bending the neck strains both the vertebrae and the neck muscles, which can lead to neck pain. The longer the neck is in this position, the more likely it is that chronic neck pain will develop. To get rid of neck pain, text for only a few minutes at a time.
Cause #8: Herniated Discs
Herniated discs and other injuries in the cervical vertebrae are common causes of chronic neck pain. When one or more cervical vertebral discs slip out of place, it can lead to inflammation of the nerves. It may also cause weakness and pain in the neck and reduce the neck’s range of motion.
The neck pain may radiate toward the shoulder blades, and it becomes worse whenever the neck is held in one position for too long. Neck pain caused by a herniated disc can be excruciating and may require surgery to correct. Other cervical injuries include cervical discogenic pain, cervical facet syndrome, and cervical strain.
Cause #9: Carrying Heavy Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage in one hand or over a shoulder may end up straining the shoulders and the neck. If it is a habit , such as when women carry heavy handbags, it can lead to serious strain and may cause neck pain. Carrying heavy items like a handbag causes the opposite side of the body to compensate for the strain.
As a result, the body’s natural posture is thrown out of balance, leading to poor posture, neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain. This is more likely to happen when the bag is habitually carried on one side of the body. To prevent this type of neck pain, avoid carrying heavy luggage in one hand or over the shoulder. Also, whenever carrying hand luggage, make sure to keep alternating the side on which it is carried.
Cause #10: Extreme Workout
It is healthy to work out, but extreme workouts can have serious effects on the body. If, for instance, workouts involve overstretching or straining the neck muscles, they could cause neck pain. Neck strain usually happens as someone nears the end of a set.
When someone is worn out but is determined to complete a set, he or she is likely to overstress during the final few reps. Such strain can be extremely stressful to neck muscles and can lead to neck pain after exercising. It is always necessary to warm up before working out, but people should also stop exercising if they feel they could be overdoing it.
