What is Neck Pain?
Neck pain refers to the pain in and around the spine that lies below the head. Neck pain also goes by another name, which is cervicalgia because the neck is also referred to as the cervical spine. Neck pain has various reasons and is either acute(few days to 6 weeks or the pain may be chronic(more than 3 months). Neck pain can affect the regular working of the individual in the routine work and most of the neck pains are not grave and can be managed by means of medicines, exercises or stress management.
What Are The Various Causes of Neck Pain?
Various causes of Neck pain are:
Physical strain
Individuals utilize their neck muscles for an extended period, such as using mobile phones for extended hours. Sitting in front of a computer screen for extended hours with one posture stretches the neck. Neck strain can also be caused by sudden strains or neck movement, leading to muscle lock. Incorrect sleeping posture with no support for the neck can also lead to neck pain.
Persons Age
Ageing influences the muscles of the individual. Muscles weaken with age and can’t endure pressure for a long period of time. Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative conditions of the muscles lead to neck pain. Herniated disks or pinched nerves are other conditions related to aging.
Worn joints
Joints of the cervical bones are worn out over time and the individual experiences neck pain due to worn-out joints in the neck. Bone spurs result from wear and tear which impair joint movement and cause neck pain.
Mental stress
Stress also contributes to the pain in the neck, this results in the contraction of the neck muscles. This results in stiffness and neck pain in the patient. The majority of individuals fail to consider this factor until the neck begins to ache.
Nerve compression in the neck
Various medical conditions such as herniated disks and bone spurs on the vertebrae result in the compression of the nerves in the neck. This condition results in restricted movement of the neck and pain.
Neck Diseases
Different diseases contribute to neck pain problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancers, meningitis, abnormal cell clusters etc. that can result in neck pain conditions.
Fractures or injury
Any damage resulting in neck abnormalities, like bone dislocation, muscle or ligament injury, vertebral joints, etc., can result in neck pain. Car crashes induce whiplash, the most frequent injury.
Which test Used to Identify Neck Pain?
Neck MRI or cervical spine MRI is considered as the best diagnostic imaging examination that utilizes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to generate detailed images of the structures of the neck area.
It enables medical practitioners to visualize the bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues in the neck region. Neck MRI is an innocuous and non-invasive test that offers useful information in diagnosing and managing many conditions of the neck.
Conclusion
Neck pain is the deviation in the neck causing pain and inhibiting the motion of the neck. The causes of neck pain are ageing, injury, nerve compression, stress, physical exertion etc. Different tests for identifying the causes of nerve pain are CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs
Q. What is Neck Pain?
Neck pain is the pain or abnormality that restricts the movement of the neck. Neck pain is also referred to as cervicalgia and may be caused by various reasons such as stress, injury, strain etc.
Q. What are the Causes of Neck Pain?
Neck pain may have various types of causes such as stress, strain, injury, ageing, nerve compression, worn joints etc.
Q. Which tests are used for Neck Pain diagnosis?
Various tests are utilized for diagnosing neck pain such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray etc.
