Neck pain can be an uncomfortable condition to deal with because of the effects that it could potentially have on activities of daily living. What makes neck pain a difficult condition to treat is that the pain itself is subjective.
There is no clear way to determine the intensity and height of discomfort that the pain could cause. What is important to try and avoid some of the most common causes of neck pain, so it does not become a chronic issue to deal with. For further information on this kind of pain and how to avoid it, you should consult an expert in the field like Dr. Donald Littlejohn.
Injury
A direct injury to the neck is one of the most common causes of neck pain. The neck happens to be one of the most vulnerable parts of the body, and when it comes to trauma that comes from falls and car accidents, there are limited ways to protect it. Direct contact with the neck could cause muscles and ligaments to be moved outside of their normal position, which could cause tremendous pain.
In addition, if there are fractures of the bones in the neck, also known as cervical vertebrae, the spinal cord could face residual damage as well. A common injury of the neck that takes place from car accidents is whiplash. This is what happens when the neck gets injured due to a sudden jerking of the head. This is fairly common in head-on collisions at high velocities.
Muscle Strain
Neck pain can also be triggered if you happen to have muscle strains. This is commonly seen in situations where the neck muscles are being overused. This can be precipitated by engaging in a poor neck position for activities such as computer or office work. If this is done for hours on end, this can cause a tremendous strain on the neck, causing aches and pain later.
The pain associated with muscle strains can be made even worse with movement. Other conditions that can be associated with muscle strains include muscle spasms, headaches and restriction of neck movement due to the pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease
This is a condition that many may suffer from as the body ages. Over time, the gelatinous center of the discs in our spines dry out. This can cause an intense narrowing and a decrease in the distance between each vertebra. This has been known to cause chronic pain in the neck as the patient ages.
Cervical Spondylosis
Another degenerative condition that can predispose to neck pain is cervical spondylosis. This is a condition involving the cervical spine in which the gradual wear and tear begins to take its toll.
What makes this condition difficult to deal with is that along with cervical spondylosis, bone spurs will often develop. Bone spurs are small growths of tissue that grow outward. The spurs are actually meant to protect the surface of the bone, but these spurs can also be harmful because they can press on nerve roots as they depart the spinal canal.
Cervical spondylosis also does not come with any obvious symptoms, but neck pain soon follows after and may potentially radiate to the shoulder blades.
Cervical Spinal Canal Stenosis
The vertebrae can suffer from degenerative changes as well, and pressure can be applied upon the spinal cord. The neck pain that is associated with this activity is exacerbated with movement and physical activity. Weakness in the arms or legs could also occur.
Just like cervical spondylosis, there are no obvious symptoms with this condition. However, on occasion there may be the sensation of Lhermitte’s sign. This is a physical, electric shock like feeling when the neck is bent in a forward manner.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
The temporomandibular joint is what gives you the ability to open and close your jaw on command. If there is damage to this joint, it may cause neck pain. Damage here can cause headaches, difficulty opening the mouth, ear pain and a popping sound upon movement of the jaw. All of these activities could potentially cause extra strain on the neck and cause discomfort.
It is recommended that if there is damage here, to eat softer foods, apply heat to the jaw for at least half an hour twice a day and to avoid unnecessary chewing. For more information on all of the possible causes of neck pain, you could consult expert information from your local chiropractor or specialist, such as Donald Littlejohn.
Myofascial Pain
After a neck injury, myofascial pain can develop. This is the kind of pain that comes from tender areas of muscle that can be sensitive to touch with applied pressure. They come through trigger points and can be tangibly felt. When these specific trigger points are pressed, they can become very painful and radiate to other parts of the body. Neck pain is commonly associated with myofascial pain and can gradually grow worse over time.
Central Cord Syndrome
If the spinal cord is damaged due to a neck injury, it can result in serious neck pain and decreased range of motion. Central cord syndrome happens when this part of the body is injured. Sometimes, there may be a tumor that is embedded within the spinal cord that causes the problem.
In severe cases of this syndrome, people may suffer from poor bladder control, difficulty walking and sexual dysfunction. Central cord syndrome affects more than just spinal nerve roots and can affect the human body in other ways beyond just the neck.
As you can see, there are many conditions and events that can predispose to neck pain. The neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body, and serious damage to this area can result in not only severe neck pain, but damaging symptoms throughout the entire body.