Neck pain or stiffness is common these days. It is mostly due to improper posture while sitting, standing, or sleeping. But sometimes, it can indicate serious injuries like whiplash or an illness, which require immediate attention and neck pain treatment from specialists. 

Numerous causes of neck pain exist. If the pain persists for more than a week, understand its severity and seek immediate medical attention. 

Neck Pain Symptoms

Neck pain symptoms may vary depending on the cause. It can be mild or so excruciating that a person finds it difficult to move. 

Common neck pain signs and symptoms include:

• Stiff neck, muscle tightness, and spasms
• Sharp pain like stabbing or stinging
• General soreness
• A nerve from the neck may travel through the shoulder and arm to cause radicular pain. 
• Unable to move the head
• Headache 

Possible Neck Pain Causes

Possible causes of neck pain include:

• Poor posture
• Sleeping in an awkward position
• Nerve compression or a slipped spinal disc (herniated disc)
• Muscle strains
• Worn joints with aging
• Injuries, such as whiplash
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Infection
• Diseases like osteoporosis-related bone damage or fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer
• cervical spondylosis, or degeneration of the spinal discs. 

Prevention

Most neck pain is due to poor posture. Adopting good habits and making simple lifestyle changes may help prevent the pain. Consider these preventive measures:

• Maintain Good Posture

Maintaining correct posture, whether sitting or standing, plays a crucial role in avoiding neck pain. To maintain good posture, keep your shoulders in a straight line over your hips. Avoid bending your head too much while using mobiles, tablets, or laptops. 

• Take Frequent Breaks

Take regular breaks if your desk job requires you to spend hours in front of a computer. Get up, move around, and stretch your neck and shoulders every hour.

• Adjust Your Desk, Chair, and Computer

Use ergonomic furniture, and adjust your desk and computer to keep the monitor at eye level. It is ideal for your knees to be slightly lower than your hips.

• Quit Smoking

Smoking is injurious to health in many ways. Surprisingly, it can also increase the risk of neck pain. So, if you smoke, try quitting it immediately. 

• Avoid Carrying Heavy Shoulder Bags

Carrying heavy bags puts strain on your neck, resulting in pain. Avoid carrying heavy bags over your shoulders.

• Sleep in a Healthy Position

Keep your head and neck in alignment with your body to maintain correct sleeping posture.

• Stay Active

Maintain your exercise routine and increase your activity level.

When To See A Doctor

If the pain is severe and doesn’t ease up in a week or so, it is time to seek medical attention and immediate neck pain treatment from the specialists of top healthcare centers, such as ANSSI Wellness. Neglecting the pain may cause fever, sweats, chills, and weakness in your arms and legs. You may also start feeling numbness, tingling, or pins and needles in your arms and legs, plus difficulties with your bladder or bowel. 

Do not ignore the neck pain and seek your doctor’s help as soon as possible if you encounter any of the previously mentioned signs.