Neck pain is not just a slight pain that you always have. When it comes to neck pain, there are several reasons for it and several ways to get rid of them. No one wants to be in the middle of work and suddenly feel their head go numb because they’ve done something wrong with their neck. Neck pain means that you need to determine its cause and take action immediately. An experienced pain management physician specializing in treating neck pain in Northern Virginia can help you get relief from your condition. This article looks at some of the common causes of neck pain. Read on to learn more.
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Poor Posture
If you have a habit of slouching, then it is time that you quit that. The constant slouching causes your neck muscles to strain. This means that these muscles will shorten and tighten up, making the surrounding area stiff. Over some time, this may cause pain in the back of your neck and also down into your shoulders.
Slouching also pinches the nerves in your neck. This pressure on these nerves can be excruciating and even lead to numbness or tingling down the arms.
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Osteoarthritis
This is the number one reason for neck pain in people over 50. Arthritis is inflammation of joints, which can cause stiffness and swelling in the muscles around it. If you have arthritis, you will likely experience painful inflammation in the hips, shoulders, or even knees. This pain may also radiate into the neck area that can become very uncomfortable. If you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, your doctor will recommend appropriate medications to ease the pain.
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Degenerative Disc Disease
Another prevalent cause of neck pain is degenerative disc disease. This condition is similar to osteoarthritis, but it happens when discs get damaged due to their stress over time. Instead of inflammation, you will feel a great deal of stiffness or pain that radiates into your shoulder area with this condition. If there is irritation, you may experience tingling, numbness, or ulcers forming on the skin.
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Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is an age-related condition that can affect your neck region. If you suffer from this disease, you may start feeling tingling or even weakness in your shoulders and arms. If left untreated, this may lead to loss of function in the extremities, like carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Herniated Disc
If there is a herniated disc in the spine, then it can put pressure on the nerves in your neck and cause pain. This usually leads to a stabbing sensation near your shoulder or upper arm. The pain gets worse with any movement. If you are suffering from this condition, your doctor will recommend immediate treatment by way of surgery.
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Cancer
Most people don’t associate neck pain with cancer. However, it is one of the significant causes of neck pain that can even lead to death if left untreated. The most common type of tumor that affects your neck region is lymph nodes. This may be caused due to throat cancer or prostate cancer. Whenever you experience this condition, seek immediate medical attention so that your doctor can determine the cause of it.
In summary, neck pain is extremely uncomfortable and can interfere with your daily activities. Some of the most common causes of neck pain include arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and cancer. If you are suffering from this condition, you should seek immediate medical attention.