What causes neck pain?:

Millions of Americans suffer with acute or chronic neck pain. A modern lifestyle where too much time is spent in poor posture, hunched over a desk, tablet, or smartphone is one of the most common causes of neck pain. This poor posture leads to misalignment and subluxation throughout the spine, which causes not only neck pain but often radiant pain throughout the body including the shoulders and arms. Whiplash and other injuries sustained in car accidents are another major contributing factor to the development of neck pain. Medical conditions like osteoarthritis, degenerative diseases, and abnormalities in the bones and joints can also contribute to neck pain. 

 

While many people discount neck pain as a fact of life, there is no need to live in pain. Patients should seek immediate medical attention if their neck pain is accompanied by shooting pain, numbness, or loss of strength in arms or hands.

 

How is neck pain diagnosed?:

Dr. David performs comprehensive manual examinations of the neck and spine. He takes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing so will also ask questions about the patient’s lifestyle, general health, and any possible accidents or activities that could contribute to the neck pain.

 

If a patient has been in an accident, he or she should seek assessment and care as soon as possible, even if there are no symptoms. Often the adrenaline surge following an accident masks any painful symptoms for several days. Dr. Billauer will be able to diagnose any issues even if there isn’t any pain.

 

Stretching can keep pain at bay:

Putting your monitor at eye level, sitting up straight and avoiding tilting and twisting your head down or to the side while you’re on the computer can help you avoid neck pain. When you’re driving or looking at your smartphone, be sure to take frequent breaks and avoid having your neck bent forward for long periods of time, Dr.David  says.

The key to relief for a stiff neck is proper stretching and manipulation, Dr. Bang says. Here are some stretches you can try at your desk or in the car that may help you to avoid a stiff neck:

• Roll your shoulders backward and down 10 times

• Squeeze your shoulder blades together 10 times

• Push your head or hands and hold for 30 seconds backward into your car headrest

• Bring your ear to your shoulder 10 times on each side

 

Stay hydrated:

The discs between the vertebrae in your spine require water to maintain disc height and spinal alignment and to take pressure off the spine. Each individual spinal disc is roughly 80 percent water at when we're born, with this ratio decreasing as we age and the disc degenerates.

Over time, maintaining strong daily hydration habits may prevent further degeneration of cervical discs, which may reduce neck pain.

Here are tips for drinking more water:

• Some of our forum members have reported that carrying a 1-liter water bottle with them all day serves as a reminder to stay hydrated.

• Pair your water intake with your daily habits, such as drinking a full glass of water after each time you brush your teeth.

 

Take care when you sleep:

Dr. David says if your neck is bothering you, you also should pay attention to your sleep positions. Sleep only on your side or on your back – never on your stomach, he says.

“When you sleep on your stomach, often you will end up twisting your head one way or the other for hours at a time,” Dr. Bang says. “Sleeping on your stomach also can affect your low back because your belly sinks into the bed if you don’t have enough support.”

For minor, common causes of neck pain, try these simple remedies:

• Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat after that. Heat may be applied with warm showers, hot compresses or a heating pad. Be sure not to fall asleep with a heating pad or ice bag in place to avoid skin injuries.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

• Keep moving, but avoid jerking or painful activities. This helps calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation.

• Do slow range-of-motion exercises, up and down, side to side, and from ear to ear. This helps to gently stretch the neck muscles.

• Have a partner gently massage the sore or painful areas.

• Try sleeping on a firm mattress without a pillow or with a special neck pillow.

• Ask your health care provider about using a soft neck collar to relieve discomfort. Do not use the collar for a long time. Doing so can make your neck muscles weaker.

If the pain gets in the way of your daily activities, Dr. David says to call your doctor.