Cervical Pain: Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Are you suffering from Cervical pain? Are you looking for details related to it so that you can proceed ahead with the treatment with complete clarity. You have certainly come to the right page. We are here to help you with all the details related to it so that you can proceed ahead knowing what is there to come and how you can have it cured Let’s dive in.

Cervical Pain: An Overview

Cervical pain refers to any kind of discomfort or ache felt in the neck region. The cervical region consists of the 7 vertebrae in the neck known as C1 to C7. Any injury, strain or underlying condition affecting these vertebrae or surrounding muscles, ligaments and nerves can lead to neck pain.

The pain may be experienced as Dull ache that is felt deep within the muscles and joints. It can be also Sharp pain that is usually felt with sudden neck movements or positioning. You can also experience Stiffness, a feeling of tightness and reduced mobility in the neck.

The pain can range from mild to severe depending on the underlying cause. It may radiate from the neck to other areas like shoulders, arms, hands etc. In some cases, numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms may also be experienced.

Cervical Pain: Reasons Behind It

Some common causes of cervical pain include:

Muscle strains or sprains

Overusing the neck muscles through activities like looking down for long hours at screens, lifts heavy objects etc can strain the muscles.

Whiplash injuries

Sudden hyper-extension or flexion movement of the neck like during car accidents can cause ligament sprains or muscle tears.

Degenerative disc disease

Natural wear and tear of the cervical disc material with ageing leads to early degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae. This puts pressure on nerves.

Herniated disc

Rupture or bulging of the cervical disc pressing on the nerves can cause arm/neck pain.

Arthritis

Conditions like osteoarthritis or cervical spondylosis where the joints between vertebrae get inflamed and bone spurs develop are common causes.

Posture issues

Poor sitting or standing posture for long hours with a flexed neck can strain the muscles over time.

Tumours

Though rare, spinal tumours can also compress nerves causing neck pain.

Identifying the exact cause is important for effective treatment. Specialists at reputed neuro surgery hospital in Bangalore like Sanjeevini Hospital can properly diagnose the underlying cause.

Cervical Pain: Treatment Options

The treatment plan is decided based on the severity of pain and its underlying cause. Mild pain can be managed with conservative or non-invasive treatments initially.

Physiotherapy and exercise

Specific neck and back stretches under physiotherapist guidance helps improve mobility and strengthen muscles over time. Certain yoga poses also help.

Massage therapy

Gentle massages by a trained therapist relax tight muscles and improves blood circulation for faster healing.

Medications

Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or prescription medications prescribed by a neuro surgeon in Bangalore or orthopaedist helps provide relief.

Cervical traction

A mild stretching device helps alleviate pressure on discs and nerves in some cases.

Surgery

In severe cases with significant neurologic symptoms or no relief from conservative treatments, cervical discectomy or fusion surgery may be required. Eminent neuro surgeons at Sanjeevini Hospital are well-equipped to perform such complex spine surgeries.

Prevention of Cervical Pain

Adopting certain lifestyle changes and ergonomic practices can go a long way in preventing cervical pain issues:

• Maintain correct posture while sitting, standing, lifting etc. and avoid hunching.
• Use an ergonomic desktop setup with monitor at eye level and proper lumbar support while working long hours on computers.
• Take short breaks every 30 mins to change posture and stretch neck muscles.
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on spine.
• Avoid activities that overwork neck like heavy lifting without support.
• See a doctor promptly if you experience recurring or persistent cervical pain rather than neglecting.

Final Thoughts

Living a balanced lifestyle while addressing posture issues, adopting safety measures at work and seeking timely treatment helps manage and prevent worsening of cervical pain conditions. With advances in diagnostic techniques and comprehensive treatment approaches available at renowned facilities like neurosurgery hospitals, long-term relief from neck pain is certainly possible.