Shmerling counsels against sudden, strenuous manipulation of the neck. Exercises to stretch and strengthen the neck, shoulder, and upper back muscles can speed recovery from a painful neck condition and possibly reduce flare-ups, although the evidence for this is not ironclad. Shmerling encourages his patients to see a physical therapist for guided therapeutic exercise. Here is what the therapist can offer:.
Finally, take inventory of your posture or daily habits that could trigger neck pain, like sitting for extended periods in positions that strain the neck during reading, TV watching, computer work, or sleeping.
Attending to the cause may stop some flare-ups of neck pain at the source. If neck pain is severe, lasts for weeks or months, drastically limits your ability to move your head, radiates into the shoulders, or feels worse in the morning, consider seeing a doctor. Fever or weakness or numbness in the arms are other "red flags" that warrant additional evaluation. In some cases, an underlying physical problem, such as arthritis, an infection, or a compressed nerve, may be the cause.
Depending on the diagnosis, you may need additional treatments or even surgery to relieve the pain and get back to your normal activities. Be sure to keep your head level; you should be gliding your head backward, not bending or tipping it. Hold for five seconds. Repeat five times. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Be prepared to tell your doctor about the specifics of your symptoms.
Treatment for neck pain depends on the diagnosis. In addition to a thorough history and physical exam by your doctor, you may also need one or more of the following imaging studies and tests to help your doctor determine the cause of your neck pain:. Depending on the results, your doctor may refer you to a specialist. Treatment for neck pain may include:. Many people experience neck pain because of poor posture and muscle strain.
Healthline and our partners may receive a portion of revenues if you make a purchase using a link on this page. Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, is common. Although it can be unpleasant, it usually isn't a reason to worry. Here's how to treat it. For many people, a slightly pinched nerve causes no discomfort. For others, symptoms can include pain, numbness, and general weakness in the shoulder…. There are many possible causes for neck spasms.
Most of the common ones can be treated at home. Pain Management , Neck Pain Share The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. What Causes Neck Pain? Strain or sprain is the most common cause of neck pain in day to day life. It can happen due to Sleeping in the Wrong Position Sleeping in an awkward position can lead to neck pain Sports Injury Moving the neck suddenly in an unusual way or experiencing a fall or collision.
Poor Posture This is one of the most common causes of neck pain. Repetitive Motions Moving the head in a continuous manner while swimming or dancing can lead to overuse of neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Unusual Position of the Neck Holding the head in an unusual position for long periods can cause neck pain, like having a long conversation while holding the phone between the shoulder and head. Whiplash When the head and neck suddenly move backward and then forward with great force, it leads to whiplash injury.
What Are Spinal Cord Stimulators? Intrathecal Pain Pumps Chronic pain is traditionally treated with potentially harmful opioid medications.
For some, neck pain is the result of poor posture, while for others neck pain can be the direct result of a car crash or other injury that causes the neck to jolt quickly, the experience otherwise known as whiplash. Sometimes neck pain is short lived. After sleeping on your neck poorly, or after carrying something that is exceptionally heavy there is a chance that you will develop neck pain that will hurt for a day or two, but will gradually start to get better until it is entirely gone after a period of days or maybe weeks.
But then there is chronic neck pain. As is the case with most issues of chronic pain, the resulting, lingering pain that follows you around indefinitely is often more frustrating and in some cases even more downright painful than the experience of the injury itself. Your neck needs to be supported during the night. Never sleep on your stomach, as this causes excessive strain on the neck muscles and joints, making symptoms worse.
Sleep on your back or side. When sleeping on your back you might need to use two pillows, layered in a way that the bottom pillow supports your shoulders, while the upper pillow is overlapped and supporting your neck.
For sleeping on your side, have a thick enough pillow or use two, so that the pillow is tucked all the way to the shoulders supporting the neck.
Be careful as to how you hold your posture throughout the day. Working at a computer, or spending prolonged time on a phone with a forward head posture, can put up to 40lbs of stress on your neck over hours!
When looking at your smartphone or tablet, try to bring the screen closer up in front of your face, rather than look down. When sitting, try to use a small rolled up towel in the small of your back to sit tall.
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