How can you decide if your neck pain is minor or if it needs a doctor’s attention?
Neck pain is a cumbersome bother that can make it difficult for you to function normally. It can be caused by a number of reasons. In the beginning, you may treat it yourself with a neck pain relief spray. But if the pain is a progressive one, you might need medical treatment.
Neck pain can make it really uncomfortable for you to sleep, move or even work at your desk. It needs investigation if the pain is so severe that it hampers your mobility.
More often than not, neck pain is the result of:
- Strain or sprain
- An injury arising out of lifting a heavy object, a heavy fall, etc.
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylosis
- Lymph node swelling from a viral infection in the throat
- Tuberculosis of the neck
- Infection in the spinal column (septic discitis)
- Meningitis
- Fibromyalgia, which affects the neck muscles
- Wrong sleeping habits such as using an overly soft pillow which makes the neck dip below the shoulders
Dealing with it yourself
Most neck pain is caused by stiffness in the shoulders and upper back, which also translates into neck pain. It is most commonly seen in people who work for long periods on their computers, or people who use their mobile phones excessively (thereby keeping the neck down as they stare at their phone screens.
When you feel that your neck pain is the result of strain owing to overwork or wrong posture, you can easily remedy the situation. Start by sitting properly, with your shoulders pushed back and the eyes in level with the top of your computer. Take periodic breaks and lightly swivel your neck from side to side and up and down to keep the muscles relaxed.
If you feel too much pressure and small tingling pain in your neck, reach out for a good neck pain relief spray such as Moov. You can apply it discreetly in your office’s shower cubicle, and wait for the skin to absorb the liquid completely. Within minutes, you will begin to feel the tension lifting and the pain reducing to a large extent.
Getting a doctor’s opinion
Only minor neck pain can be treated at home using a neck pain relief spray or cream. In most cases, the pain is sharp and indicative of a deeper malaise. Make haste and see a neurologist who can prescribe scans and blood tests to study the problem further.
The first signs that the neck pain is serious come when you are unable to move your neck at all. Your neck might feel frozen in a certain position, or it might be extremely painful to look from side to side. Some people report a tightening of the muscles in the neck over time, as if there is increasing pressure on them. Still others might even get headaches and stiff shoulders arising out of severe neck pain.
Often, physiotherapy and regular medication eliminate the problem. However, recovery is slow, especially if the neck pain is a result of infection in the spinal column. You might need to modify your lifestyle and stay away from any activity that strains the neck. Many people are advised to wear a neck brace while they get treatment, so that the neck maintains its alignment.
Whatever the cause, if you feel that your neck pain feels abnormal or that it worsens over time, do not hesitate to seek your doctor’s opinion at the earliest.
