The neck supports the entire weight of the human head and is extremely flexible in order to allow full range of motion of the head. Therefore, the neck can be extremely vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain. There are a variety of things that may cause neck pain including the following:
Causes
- Overuse. Too many hours in a hunched position such as working at a computer desk can trigger the neck muscles to strain themselves. Other ways one may overuse their neck muscles is by looking down at a phone or tablet, reading in bed, or gritting their teeth.
- Worn down joints. Just as other joints in the body wear down, neck joints also wear down with age. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage between the vertebrae to deteriorate in turn, forming bone spurs that affect the joint motion and cause pain.
- Injuries. Perhaps the most common reason individuals suffer from neck pain is due to injuries. Car accidents, sports injuries, improper lifting, diving into shallow or unknown waters, as well as repetitive movements all play a role in neck pain.
Mild or moderate neck pain may respond well to self-care within a few weeks; however, there are other forms of Neck Pain Treatment in Nitro West Virginia that a health care professional may recommend.
Treatments
- Medications. Medications may include stronger pain medication than what is available over-the-counter, as well as muscle relaxants.
- Physical therapy. Physical therapists aid in teaching correct posture, alignment, and neck-strengthening exercises.
- Traction. Traction is the use of weights or pulleys to gently stretch the neck. Traction is done under the direct supervision of a medical professional and physical therapist.
It is important to seek services of a medical professional for Neck Pain Treatment in Nitro West Virginia if the neck pain becomes severe, persists for several days without little to no relief, or is accompanied by headaches, numbness, or weakness.
There are many things an individual may do to prevent neck pain including using good posture, taking frequent breaks from working at the computer, and adjusting their desk chair and monitor to eye level. For more information on how to prevent neck pain or to schedule a neck pain assessment, visit Improve Physical Therapy & Hand Center LLC today. You can also follow them on Instagram for more information.
