Many people who experience neck pain one time will experience another episode down the road – whether it be weeks, months or years later. This may occur for the majority of their lifetime, according to evidence.
Chronic pain can be debilitating, including that of chronic neck pain. The bones, ligaments and muscles that make up the structure of the neck are constantly under stress – not only to hold up our heads that weigh nearly 10 pounds but also to deliver range of motion and flexibility necessary for daily life. Few body parts are used as frequently as the neck. Resultantly, even the smallest amount of pain in the neck can put a damper in your range of motion and inhibit your ability to do what it is you need to do on a regular basis. Although there is some form of pain to be expected as the aging process goes on, steps do exist that can help to reduce neck pain. For neck pain treatment in Tucker, GA – trust the chiropractors at Complete Spine Solutions.
Chronic Neck Pain Symptoms
The first step in getting treatment for your neck pain is to learn to recognize the symptoms of the chronic neck pain to determine whether you are up against the condition:
- Decreased range of motion, which can manifest itself as an inability to turn the neck or head one way or another.
- Grinding or cracking in the neck.
- General soreness, often localized to one spot or a specific area of the neck.
- Difficulty picking up objects, often accompanied by numbness, tingling or weakness in the fingers, suggesting nerve damage.
- Jaw pain, which may be the result of grinding your teeth at night due to temporomandibular jaw disorder (TMJ).
- Headaches, typically the result of distressed muscles and nerves in the head. Muscles tighten as tension builds, leading to a headache or a pinch in the occipital nerve, which can also cause headache.
- Difficulty sleeping, due to neck discomfort.
- Sharp neck pain that is localized in one spot that often feels like stinging or stabbing deep within the neck.
- Pain that radiates from the neck into the shoulders and down the arms.
Possible Causes of Chronic Neck Pain Symptoms
Many conditions can contribute to the onset of chronic neck pain symptoms. The most common symptoms of this condition include:
- Diseases, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, meningitis and more.
- Muscles trains, often occurring when the muscles within the neck are overworked, overextended or overused. Poor posture can contribute to this as well as improper sleeping positions and more.
- Herniated discs/nerve compression or bone spurs on the neck’s vertebrae.
- Trauma from injury, such as an auto accident or another form of trauma that can lead to hyperextension or hyperflexion, pushing the neck past its intended range of motion.
- Joints that wear over time with age.
If you believe you or a loved one suffers from chronic neck pain, it is advised that you reach out to a healthcare professional to help, such as a chiropractor. A chiropractor can perform gentle manipulations to help get your spine and neck back in its proper position, enabling the spine, muscles, vertebrae, and surrounding soft tissues to heal over time, leading to a reduction in chronic neck pain. Act sooner than later to save you further pain or injury.