Neck pain is one of the most common symptoms that most people experience for many reasons, including a busy, hectic day. Neck pain can be dull or sharp, sudden or gradual, brief or chronic, and the causes can range from benign to life-threatening; it all depends on how it started.
Whether you need to see a Neck Pain Doctor or can treat your pain at home is determined by what happened just before the pain began and any other symptoms you may be experiencing apart from the neck pain.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
The neck contains a dense concentration of important muscles, bones, blood vessels, and nerves. As a result, any injury or illness that affects one or more of those systems can result in a sore neck. The following are some of the most common causes of neck pain:
● Due to carrying heavy loads
● Bad angle sleep
● Emotional stress
● Tension
● Trauma from an injury or fall
These are a few common reasons that can be the cause of your neck pain. However, a painful or stiff neck can be caused by a serious or life-threatening medical condition such as a heart attack, meningitis, or Lyme disease in some cases.
Treatment at home
A minor muscle strain or tension frequently causes neck and shoulder pain. If you don’t have any other symptoms and don’t recall any traumatic event that started the pain, everyday stress could be the source of the problem.
Fortunately, this can be treated alone only, and you don’t have to see a Neck Pain Doctor so soon. With gentle stretching, massage, and applying ice or heat a few times per day, this type of pain usually subsides within a few days without making things difficult for you.
It is always suggested to check your posture and whether you are sleeping in a position that puts strain on your neck or shoulder. This would help you to avoid neck pain later.
When to See a Neck Pain Doctor?
If your neck pain occurs due to a traumatic accident or fall, such as a car accident, diving accident, or head injury, see a doctor right away. While some pain and stiffness are expected following such an event, it is critical to determine whether those symptoms are related to a more serious condition, like a bone fracture. If
a traumatic injury does not cause your pain, keep an eye out for other symptoms. While many neck pain or stiffness cases are unrelated to anything serious, some underlying causes of the pain may be. See a Miami’s Neck Pain Doctor if your pain is getting worse day by day.
If the following symptoms accompany your neck pain, go to the nearest emergency room right away. A few symptoms include fever or chills, severe, persistent headache, nausea or vomiting, rash, sensitivity to light, racing or irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, pain or numbness radiating down the arms and many more.
The last words
Neck pain is extremely common. It affects about one out of every three people at least once a year. It is more common in women than in men, and the risk of developing it rises with age. If your neck pain is accompanied by any emergency as mentioned above symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, an orthopedist, or a neurologist if you do not have any emergency symptoms. Once you and your doctor have determined the source of the problem, you may want to include visits to a massage therapist or chiropractor in your treatment plan. So, if you are facing any related issues, do check out more.
