Neck pain

Neck pain is a common issue which most people will experience at some point in their lives. It can come on gradually over time or after sustaining an awkward position and, in most cases, is caused by stiff or overused muscles. An X-ray or scan is often not required to diagnose the cause of neck pain.

Below are some other reasons why we can get neck pain:

Non-specific Neck pain

This pain can arise due to tired or overworked muscles. There are lots of factors that can contribute to non-specific neck pain such as stress, anxiety, poor sleep and even depression. In most people this will settle with addressing unhealthy behaviours such as prolonged laptop/phone usage without breaks. Getting regular exercise has also been proven to help.

Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury related to a sudden movement or jerk of the neck, commonly experienced following a road accident or sports injury. The sudden movement causes a strain to muscles, tendons and nerves of the neck which can lead to temporary stiffness and pain.

Spondylosis

Spondylosis is a normal age-related condition where the cartilage that lines the bones begins to lose its smoothness. This can lead to a stiffness or loss of range of movement in the neck, and you may experience clicking or grinding. While these noises may be annoying, they are normal and not harmful. It is normal to have a flare up of symptoms which normally settles with time.

Cervical radiculopathy (Nerve related neck pain)

This is caused when a nerve root is being compressed or irritated in the neck. Along with neck pain, you may get pain shooting down your shoulder into your arm. Other symptoms such as pins and needles or numbness are also an indication that there is nerve irritation. In most cases this will resolve with time as the nerve root irritation settles. If you are experiencing weakness in your arm, or if you are experiencing the above symptoms in both of your arms you should arrange to see your GP.

Managing Neck Pain

Try to remain active, keeping up with exercise or work
Taking over the counter pain relief. Follow the instructions on the packet and speak to your GP if you are unsure what if safe for you to take. GPs can also prescribe stronger pain relief if appropriate
Heat packs can be beneficial to help relieve pain and relax muscles
Consider your working habits. Adjusting your computer screen to eye level can help alleviate excess strain on the muscles in the neck. Taking regular breaks can also help to avoid overloading the neck muscles
If your neck pain is worse in the morning, it may be worth looking at your pillow. Having a pillow that keeps your neck in a neutral position can help to limit pain in the mornings. It is worth trying several different pillows as everybody's preference will vary and what works for some might not work for others.

neck pain