The Causes and Treatment Options for Upper Neck Pain
Have you noticed an increasingly annoying upper neck pain lately? Maybe this is something you've been dealing with for some time but chalked it up to stress. There are many causes for upper neck pain and just as many suggested treatments available; however, the first step in finding the proper treatment for your upper neck pain is to figure out where this pain is coming from. We are going to talk about the most common causes behind upper neck pain and go over a few of the preferred treatment options based on each cause.
First, let's go over the different types of neck pain. Yes, there are certain levels of severity of pain as well as different sensations that may help to determine the cause behind your pain. Does the pain seem to occur suddenly and very strongly all at once? This is usually caused by a crick in the neck, which is often caused by letting your head rest at an awkward position for too long, or even when your neck is exposed to a draft for several hours (such as sleeping with the fan on or the window open). If the pain is persistent for a period of over three months, then it is considered to be a chronic condition.
Chronic upper neck pain can be caused by a number of things. Stress is one very common cause behind neck pain as well as many other physical issues. If you have a pretty good feeling that stress may be causing your neck and back tension, then it may be time to re-evaluate your day to day life. How many hours do you put in at work? Do you work long hours or do you have a particularly stressful job? Maybe you've recently lost a loved one or have experienced a traumatic incident. Finances are a leading cause in stress and may be the reason behind your stressed-out muscles. Relieving stress is not always easy, especially if the circumstances are beyond your control, however you can give your body a break once in a while. How? Indulge in an active hobby such as yoga, swimming, or walking/jogging. If you can't find time at home to get some exercise, try taking a walk on your lunch break. Carve out a bit of time from your schedule each day to give yourself a chance to chill out. This "you time" can be spent in a quiet place listening to relaxing music, reading, or even just closing your eyes for fifteen minutes.
If you feel that your stress levels are within the healthy range, your problem could be related to an injury you have unknowingly sustained. The neck is chock full of tissues, muscles, and bones that are virtually exposed to all types of injury as the neck does not have a great deal of natural protection. In this case, the most common incident has been repetitive wear and tear on the tissues making it difficult to heal. Sometimes a couple of massage appointments will help the neck work through the bulk of the pain, however the cause could also be bone-related. Sometimes nerves can become "pinched" if the surrounding muscles have become too constrictive. If massages have no effect, it is possible that a visit to the chiropractor may be in order. Most bone issues cannot be treated in one instance, so don't be surprised if you have to make a few trips back before you notice a real improvement in the pain. Something you can do on your own is to take a regular soak in a hot tub. Many find that the warmth of the water helps to loosen muscles that are difficult to loosen through massage.
If these traditional treatments are not effective, you may want to schedule an appointment with your family doctor, as there are other issues that may be underlying such as tumors, serious back or shoulder injuries, or a weakened or thin disk in the neck. Or if the pain has become excruciating or your range of motion has become so hindered that you can no longer turn your neck a certain way, you should schedule an immediate appointment with your doctor.