Persistent Neck Pain

Many people suffer from persistent neck pain due to strain, injury, overuse or aging. There are two types of persistent neck pain, one which is not even felt just in your neck. The main cause of neck pain is keeping your head in an awkward position. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to treat and prevent neck pain. Persistent neck pain is a good reason to see a doctor as soon as you can.

Types

• There are two types of persistent neck pain. The first type involves dull pain in the neck that spreads to the shoulders and arms, with weakness in some of the arm muscles. The second type of neck pain involves weakness or numbness in your legs or arms, poor balance, difficulty walking and neck stiffness. There is pressure on the spinal cord. Since this kind of pain is not just felt in your neck, it is easy to misdiagnose.

Significance

• Having persistent neck pain is significant because the first seven bones in the neck make up the cervical spine. Volker K.H. Sonntag, a neurosurgeon and member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons states, "the spinal cord is the most delicate tissue in the entire body. Even minor damage to the spinal cord cannot be repaired."

Causes

• The primary cause of persistent neck pain is keeping your head in an awkward position. An awkward position for the neck is anytime your ears are pushed forward, in front of your shoulders. Some people are more at risk for persistent neck pain than others due to their occupations. Robert Kunkel, M.D. and head of the Section of Headache in the Cleveland Clinic Department of Internal Medicine explains that "beauticians, for example, work in a bent-over position all day long." Other causes of neck pain are aging, injuries and car accidents.

Prevention/Solution

• Fortunately, there are many natural ways to prevent and treat persistent neck pain. Sleep on a firm mattress. Many people who have neck pain feel better by sleeping without a pillow. Avoid lowering your head too often while working or reading. Sit in a chair that provides you a lot of back support. Use an ice pack when you first begin to feel neck stiffness. After the ice reduces your stiffness, heat (from a hot shower or heating pad) is very soothing.

Warning

• If you were in a car accident and have intense neck pain afterward, you might have whiplash and should see a doctor. In fact, as a general rule, persistent neck pain is a sign that you need professional medical attention. "It's extremely remote, but it's possible that neck pain could be a signal that there's a tumor on the spine," states senior physical therapist Joanne Griffin of the New England Center for Headache in Connecticut.