What can your neck pain be?
Continuing our theme, we continue to identify some of the reasons people suffer with neck pain. Neck pain is the 2nd most common musculo-skeletal problem a physiotherapist will see. If your neck hurts when you turn it, you’ll soon realise just how often you need to turn your head throughout the day.
If your computer screen is at too low an angle, it can trigger neck pain and stiffness. But a stiff neck can be more than just an annoyance, it may be a sign of an underlying problem that needs medical attention.
Most people who experience a stiff neck will have soreness and difficulty moving the neck, causing them to turn their whole body to look to the side, IE: avoiding moving the neck. Ironically, this is the worst thing you can do! Avoiding neck movements just makes the signs worse!
If you have a stiff neck, symptoms may last from just a day or two to a couple of weeks, and may be accompanied by a headache, shoulder pain, and/or pain that radiates down your arm.
The good news is that a stiff neck is usually not caused by a serious medical condition. However, it is a good idea to take note of any accompanying symptoms, as additional symptoms may indicate a need for medical attention.
1. Muscle strain
Any activity that places your neck in an awkward position for an extended amount of time could cause the muscles around in your neck to become fatigued and spasm. For example, holding your phone against your shoulder while you talk, sleeping with your neck at an awkward angle, carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder, or having to look downward to view your computer screen can all cause neck stiffness.
A newer cause of neck strain is known as text neck,, which I have blogged on recently. This is neck pain and stiffness caused by people spending more and more time looking down at their smartphones, putting undue strain on the associated musculature.
An age related disc degeneration in the cervical spine may cause a stiff neck. Click on the video below
2. Cervical spine disorders
The cervical spine encompasses all of the bones, joints, muscles, and nerves in your neck. Your spinal cord also runs through center of the vertebrae in your cervical spine.
Any one or combination of these parts of your cervical spine may become worn down over time or injured, causing neck stiffness, pain, and/or possible neurological problems. Some cervical spine disorders that commonly occur include:
Spinal stenosis. Over time, the facet joints in the back of your spine can start to encroach on your spinal nerve roots and possibly into the spinal cord area. This may develop in conjunction with spinal osteoarthritis, so you may hear your doctor refer to both conditions. Symptoms may include neck stiffness, arm pain and/or tingling, and possibly difficulty walking if the spinal cord is involved.
Cervical disc problems. Spinal discs are soft tissue structures that provide cushioning between each vertebra of your spine. Over time, one or more discs in your neck may herniate or degenerate, and this process may in turn irritate nerve roots, causing pain and stiffness in your neck and possibly down into your shoulder, arm, and/or hand.
These conditions should be diagnosed and treated by a qualified physiotherapistl. Even if you feel your symptoms are mild, it is a good idea to seek treatment as the right exercise program can go a long way in preventing many cervical spine problems from getting worse over time.
3. Infection
A stiff neck caused by an infection (such as meningococcal disease) please be aware this is rare compared to the other causes above, but is a serious medical condition. If you experience fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, or other signs of an infection along with your stiff neck, call your GP immediately.
See the enclosed video below
If you can relate to any of these symptoms and would like further advice, then please contact us or follow us on Facebook
