More than 46% of French people complain of having neck pain . In France, neck pain is a frequent reason for consulting a general practitioner or a specialist such as an osteopath.
Do you often have neck pain
We talk about neck pain when we feel stiffness or pain of varying intensity in the cervical region. This is called “cervical pain”.
Neck pain, what is it?
Neck pain is both a muscular and skeletal disorder . Although it can sometimes be debilitating, it is a fairly common disorder. According to the French association of chiropractic, it would affect nearly 50% of adults.
What are the symptoms ? Neck pain is easily recognized. They are manifested by pain in the neck , at the back of the head. They are often accompanied by muscle tension in the shoulders, upper back and arms. You may have difficulty moving your head because of its stiffness.
In addition to pain, the person with neck pain may have a headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and blurred vision.
The meaning of neck pain
The vast majority of neck pain is trivial and does not conceal anything serious. You have pain in your cervical spine for various reasons: poor working posture, jerky neck movement, too much time behind the wheel, in front of a computer or sleeping in a bad position.
Pain in the cervical vertebrae can also be a sign of high anxiety . It’s no wonder they happen when you’re stressed.
Typically, neck pain eventually subsides after one to two weeks. If it persists, it is better to consult a health professional. This is essential, if only to rule out possible neurological problems or trauma.
Neck pain: possible causes
Neck pain can have many causes. It can be caused, among other things, by age-related degeneration of the mechanical structures of the neck , but also by excessive strain on the cervical vertebrae.
Torticollis
Torticollis is the most common cause of a sore neck. It intervenes by a muscular contracture due to the adoption of a bad posture or by the use of an unsuitable pillow during sleep.
Cervical sprain
Neck pain can occur from whiplash. It is often due to movements of the neck that are too sudden or too violent, having caused:
Diseases
In rare cases, neck pain can be linked to diseases such as meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis, herniated disc, inflammation, infection or cancer.
Good to know :
A few stretching exercises and message sessions may be enough to treat neck pain. Some doctors may resort to surgery , but only if they fear pinching between the vertebral discs. In which case, he will request additional examinations such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI to confirm his diagnosis.
Advanced methods to relieve neck pain
Neck pain is a common infection and not very prone to complications. There are several remedies to relieve and treat your neck pain:
Unless it’s due to underlying health conditions, neck pain doesn’t require any special treatments. Most of the time, painkillers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are enough to relieve the pain.
Targeted therapies
In addition to medication, doctors can prescribe rehabilitation sessions with specific health professionals: osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist . Physiotherapy has also proven itself in the treatment of neck and lumbar pain.
If the pain is persistent, you have the possibility of having an enhanced teleconsultation with a general practitioner online and without an appointment. He will be able to establish a medical diagnosis and give you personalized advice to treat your neck pain.