The term “pain in the neck” is more than just a phrase for a lot of people, it’s a way of life. You don’t have to live with pain. Neck pain is one of the most often heard complaints by doctors. According to A National Institute Of Health Statistics, a recent survey found that there are four main types of complaints. These include the following:
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Facial pain
- Migraine pain
In fact, neck pain is so very common that nearly 30 to 50% of people will experience some kind of neck pain during their lifetime. Most of them will have pain on an annual basis. Pain in the neck may be severe enough to limit activity for as many as 11 to 14% of the population on an annual basis. The first thing to know is that you’re not alone. Many are suffering from neck pain and there is something you can do to reduce, manage, and alleviate your neck pain.
Common Causes
There are many causes of neck pain. The first thing that you’re going to want to do is determine the cause. Here are the most common risk factors for neck pain.
- Age
- Repetitive motion
- High-stress in the workplace
- Injuries to shoulders or the neck
- Gender (women are far more likely to have neck pain)
Although neck pain is very uncomfortable and can disrupt your life, it’s not typically a reason to be alarmed. Here are some of the reasons for neck pain.
Strain
This is one of the most common causes that a person will have neck pain. If you spend the day sitting at your desk or looking at a computer, you’re far more likely to have this type of pain. It may be caused by simple subtle things that you do without realizing it like clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, sleeping in an odd position or something else as simple.
Acute Injury
Obviously, if you’ve been in a recent wreck or had some other form of injury, you’re more likely to have neck pain. Whiplash is a very common reason for neck pain.
Worn Down Joints
Those who have reached middle age have achieved many milestones, one of these milestones is that their joints are wearing out. This can put them at a higher risk for neck pain. Simple wear and tear can erode joints and lead to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. While not uncommon, you can at least monitor your body and know what is going on. If you’ve tried for a time to reduce symptoms and are still in pain it may be a good time to visit your family doctor. He or she may be able to pinpoint or at least narrow down the cause of the pain.
How To Treat And How To Prevent Neck Pain
After determining the cause of neck pain, you can find out if it’s due to strain and not something more serious. There are many different ways to address such discomfort. Consider basic home care like:
- Heating pads
- Warm showers
- Ice packs
- Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, and others to help reduce inflammation and subsequent pain caused by inflammation.