Neck Pain Symptoms:
Neck pain can occur from the top of your shoulders to the bottom of your head. Neck pain symptoms may be mild to severe and may limit your range of motion.
Neck Pain Causes:
As we age, neck bone and joint pain can be caused by the wear and tear of tissues and joints. Neck pain can have many causes, but most of these are not serious conditions. Neck muscles can be strained or pulled from poor posture or even from sleeping in an awkward position. Over time, normal wear and tear or arthritis can also lead to neck pain. Certain injuries can lead to bone and joint pain in the neck, as well as nerve compression in the area, causing one to seek neck pain treatment.
Neck Pain Risk Factors:
The weaker or more degenerated the tissue or joints in the neck become, the more susceptible the neck is to injury.
Age: As you age, you are more likely to have increased wear and tear on vertebrae, discs, muscles and joints. This can often lead to neck pain and arthritis.
Occupation: If your job requires you to hold your head in the same position for prolonged periods (professional driver, computer work), you may increase your risk for neck pain. The good news is that simple stretching and strengthening exercises can help you reduce your risk for neck pain.
Neck Pain Testing:
There are many diagnostic tests that can be performed by neck pain specialists to determine the cause of neck pain and what type of neck pain treatment is best. These include facet joint injections, medial branch block and EMG testing. Imaging scans done by a doctor or neck pain specialist may be used to identify neck pain or rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
Neck Pain Treatment Options:
There are a number of neck pain management treatment options that help reduce neck pain, which include: