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What is neck pain?
Talk to your doctor if you're interested in trying complementary and alternative neck pain treatments. Your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks of various alternative neck pain treatments.
Read more on www.mayoclinic.com
neck pain information from trusted sources:
Neck pain
Most people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain can be acute, meaning it lasts a few hours to a few weeks, or it can be chronic. Neck pain that lasts several weeks or longer is considered chronic neck pain. Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Neck pain
Pain - neck, Neck stiffness Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Shoulder and Neck Pain
Your neck and shoulders contain muscles, bones, nerves, arteries, and veins, as well as many ligaments and other supporting structures. Many conditions can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area. Some are life-threatening (such as heart attack and major trauma), and others are not so dangerous (such as simple strains or contusions). Read more on
www.emedicinehealth.com
Pain
Pain is an alarm bell! Natures way of saying something is wrong. Pain is a message from the body that it is having trouble in a particular area. Without pain you would remain unaware of any health problems and would never know when the body needed help repairing itself. Disease, injury, and strenuous activity may cause pain in the affected body part, signaling that damage has been incurred. It also signals you to rest the injured area so that tissues can be repaired and so that additional damage can be prevented. Pain motivates you to seek treatment as well. Some people are born with a rare neurological disorder that makes them insensitive to pain. Unfortunately, they do not experience pain when the incur various injuries such as burns, cuts, and fractures, or if they bite their tongue. Because they are unaware of the pain, they cannot prevent damage or seek fast treatment. Pain can result from a combination of physical and mental pain. Some people can tolerate pain better than others. In some people, pain is cyclical, pain produces anxiety and this anxiety intensifies the pain. Fear of the physical problem and anticipation of the pain can also heighten the pain. People with an uneasy mind will suffer more from chronic pain. If one knows why one is experiencing pain, one can tolerate it better. Read more on
www.emedicinal.com
Neck Pain (Cervical Pain) Causes, Home Remedies, Treatment and ...
Mar 19, 2011 ... Read about neck pain treatment, symptoms and home remedies. Cervical pain causes include whiplash, pinched nerve, herniated disc and ... Read more on
www.medicinenet.com
Neck Pain and Shoulder Pain Symptoms and Causes
Neck pain and shoulder pain management including causes, diagnosis and treatment. Read more on
www.webmd.com
Neck Pain -- familydoctor.org
Neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, stress or some other health problem. If you are suffering from a type of neck pain, ... Read more on
familydoctor.org
Neck pain
Aug 19, 2010 ... Neck pain can be caused by a number of factors, including muscle strain, ligament sprains, arthritis, or a pinched nerve. Read more on
www.uptodate.com
Neck Pain - Your Orthopaedic Connection - AAOS
For many people, neck pain is a temporary condition that disappears with time. Others need medical diagnosis and treatment to relieve their symptoms. ... Read more on
orthoinfo.aaos.org
Neck Pain: Articles and Videos on Neck Pain Causes and Treatment
Neck pain information, including neck pain causes, symptoms and treatment. Articles and videos created by physicians who specialize in neck pain. Read more on
www.spine-health.com
Contents
Causes
A common cause of neck pain is muscle strain or tension. Usually, everyday activities are to blame. Such activities include bending over a desk for hours, having poor posture while watching TV or reading, placing your computer monitor too high or too low, sleeping in an uncomfortable position, or twisting and turning the neck in a jarring manner while exercising.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Considerations
Neck pain may begin in any of the structures in the neck. These include muscles and nerves as well as spinal vertebrae and the cushioning disks in between. Neck pain may also come from regions near the neck, like the shoulder, jaw, head, and upper arms.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Home Care
For minor, common causes of neck pain:Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).; Apply heat or ice to the painful area. One good method is to use ice for the first 48 - 72 hours, then use heat after that. Heat may be applied with hot showers, hot compresses, or a heating pad. Be careful not to fall asleep with a heating pad on.; Stop normal physical activity for the first few days. This helps calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation.;...
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Medical advice
Seek immediate medical help if you have a fever and headache, and your neck is so stiff that you cannot touch your chin to your chest. This may be meningitis. Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or get to a hospital.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Prevention
Use relaxation techniques and regular exercise to prevent unwanted stress and tension to the neck muscles. Learn stretching exercises for your neck and upper body. Stretch every day, especially before and after exercise. A physical therapist can help. If you tend to get neck pain from exercise, apply ice to your neck after physical activity. Use good posture, especially if you sit at a desk all day. Keep your back supported. Adjust your computer monitor to eye level. This prevents you from continually...
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Symptoms
Neck pain takes many forms. Signs and symptoms of neck pain may include: Pain in your neck that may feel sharp or dull; Stiffness in your neck; Difficulty going about your daily tasks because of pain or stiffness in your neck; Shoulder pain in addition to neck pain, in some cases; Back pain in addition to neck pain, in some cases
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www.mayoclinic.com
Tests and diagnosis
Your doctor often will be able to diagnose the cause of your neck pain and recommend treatment just by asking questions about the type, location and onset of your pain.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Treatments and drugs
Most neck pain responds well to home care. If neck pain persists, your doctor may recommend other treatments.
Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Neck pain may begin in any of the structures in the neck. These include muscles and nerves as well as spinal vertebrae and the cushioning disks in between. Neck pain may also come from regions near the neck, like the shoulder, jaw, head, and upper arms.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov