Neck Massage
What’s neck pain?
Your neck is made up of vertebrae that extend from the skull to the upper torso. Cervical discs absorb shock between the bones.
The bones, ligaments, and muscles of your neck assist your head and allow for motion. Any abnormalities, inflammation, or injury can cause neck pain or stiffness.
Many people suffering neck pain or stiffness sometimes. In many cases, it’s because of poor posture or overuse. Sometimes, neck pain is caused by injury from a fall, contact sports, or whiplash.
Most of the time, neck pain isn’t a severe condition and can be relieved within a few days. But in some cases, neck pain can indicate severe injury or illness and require a doctor’s care.
If you have neck pain that goes on for more than a week, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical attention without delay.
Reasons for neck pain
Neck pain or stiffness can happen for a variety of reasons.
Muscle tension and strain
This is generally because of activities and behaviors such as:
- Poor posture
- Working at a desk for too long without adjusting the position
- Sleeping with your neck in a bad position
- Jerking your neck during exercise
Injury
The neck is specifically susceptible to injury, especially in falls, car accidents, and sports, where the muscles and ligaments of the neck are forced to move outside of their normal range.
If the neck bones (cervical vertebrae) are fractured, the spinal cord may also be harmed. Neck injury because of sudden jerking of the head is commonly called whiplash.
Heart attack
Neck pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack, but it often presents with other symptoms of a heart attack, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Arm or jaw pain
If your neck hurts and you have other symptoms of heart attack, call an ambulance or go to the emergency room immediately.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. In people who have meningitis, a fever and a headache often occur with a stiff neck. Meningitis can be fatal and is a medical emergency.
If you have the symptoms of meningitis, seek to assist immediately.
Other causes
Other causes include the following:
Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, swelling of the joints, and bone spurs. When these arise in the neck area, neck pain can result.
Osteoporosis weakens bones and can cause small fractures. This condition often occurs in the hands or knees, but it can also occur in the neck.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes muscle pain throughout the body, especially in the neck and shoulder region.
As you age, the cervical discs can degenerate. This is known as spondylosis, or osteoarthritis of the neck. This can reduce the space between the vertebrae. It also adds stress to your joints.
When a disk protrudes, as from a trauma or injury, it may add pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This is called a herniated cervical disk, also known as a ruptured or slipped disk.
Spinal stenosis happens when the spinal column narrows and causes pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots as it exits the vertebrae. This can be due to long-term inflammation caused by arthritis or other conditions.
In rare instances, neck stiffness or pain occurs due to:
- Congenital abnormalities
- Infections
- Abscesses
- Tumors
- Cancer of the spine
When to see your doctor
If symptoms continue for more than a week, consult with your doctor. You should also see a doctor if you have:
- Severe neck pain without apparent cause
- Lump in your neck
- Fever
- Headache
- Swollen glands
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Pain that radiates down your arms or legs
- Inability to move your arms or hands
- Inability to touch your chin to your chest
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
If you’ve been in an accident or fall and your neck hurts, seek medical care immediately.
How to ease neck pain at home
If you have small neck pain or stiffness, take these simple steps to reduce it:
- Apply ice for the first few days. After that, apply heat with a heating pad, hot compress, or by taking a hot shower.
- Take OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Take a few days off from sports, activities that aggravate your symptoms, and heavy lifting. When you continue the normal activity, do so slowly as your signs ease.
- Exercise your neck every day. Slowly stretch your head in side-to-side and up-and-down motions.
- Use good posture.
- Avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder.
- Change your position often. Don’t stand or sit in one position for too long.
- Get a gentle neck massage.
- Use a special neck pillow for sleeping.
- Don’t use a neck brace or collar without your doctor’s approval. If you don’t use them appropriately, they can make your symptoms worse.
- Use Neck massage Gun
