Neck Pain

WHAT IS NECK PAIN

Neck pain is a common complaint. Neck muscles can be strained from poor posture —

whether it's leaning over your computer or hunching over your workbench. Osteoarthritis

also is a common cause of neck pain.

Symptoms of neck pain

Signs and symptoms include:

• Pain that's often worsened by holding your head in one place for long periods,

such as when driving or working at a computer

• Muscle tightness and spasms
• Decreased ability to move your head
• Headache

Causes of neck pain

Your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, so it can be vulnerable to

injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes include:

• Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over your computer or

smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in

bed or gritting your teeth, can strain neck muscles.

• Worn joints. Just like the other joints in your body, your neck joints tend to wear

down with age. Osteoarthritis causes the cushions (cartilage) between your bones

(vertebrae) to deteriorate. Your body then forms bone spurs that affect joint motion

and cause pain.

• Nerve compression. Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck

can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord.

• Injuries. Rear-end auto collisions often result in whiplash injury, which occurs

when the head is jerked backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of

the neck.

• Diseases. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer,

can cause neck pain.

Prevention of neck pain

Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related wear and

tear. To help prevent neck pain, keep your head centered over your spine. Some simple

changes in your daily routine may help. Consider trying to:

• Use good posture. When standing and sitting, be sure your shoulders are in a

straight line over your hips and your ears are directly over your shoulders.

• Take frequent breaks. If you travel long distances or work long hours at your

computer, get up, move around and stretch your neck and shoulders.

• Adjust your desk, chair and computer so that the monitor is at eye level. Knees

should be slightly lower than hips. Use your chair's armrests.

• Avoid tucking the phone between your ear and shoulder when you talk. Use a

headset or speakerphone instead.

• If you smoke, quit. Smoking can put you at higher risk of developing neck pain.
• Avoid carrying heavy bags with straps over your shoulder. The weight can

strain your neck.

• Sleep in a good position. Your head and neck should be aligned with your body.

Use a small pillow under your neck. Try sleeping on your back with your thighs

elevated on pillows, which will flatten your spinal muscles.

• Treatment for arthritis
• Comprehensive treatment for arthritis by Dr. Ravi Shinde, Chiropractor at clinics Mumbai / Thane / Pune