Important Things People Need to Know About Neck Pain

People feel it all too often and know it all too well. Neck Pain Palo Alto is a real problem that can cause anything from inconvenience to paralysis. Sometimes it feels like they have neck pain for no good reason, other times they can’t be sure exactly why they have it.

Understanding the root cause of neck pain is essential to treating it. The vertebrae that make up the neck and spine are separated by cervical disks. Cervical disks are gel like and thick, taking on the brunt of impacts people experience while going through the day to day motions, including anything traumatic. If these discs are upset by inflammation or abnormalities, they start to feel the sensation of pain. That’s because these disks are also protection for the nerve roots that lurk inside the vertebrate. Their exposure can cause extreme pain throughout the body, even paralysis.

If a person is dealing with neck pain in Palo Alto, here are four important things to consider:

What Causes Neck Pain

If they want to know how to stop neck pain, then it is important to be aware of how it's caused.

Some major causes of neck pain include:

 

Acute Neck Pain: usually caused from strenuous activities involving extensive neck movements or improper posture. Usually people can deal with this pain on their own using heat and ice or massage therapy. If they have more severe pain (but not ongoing) or muscle spasm, they might consider using stronger medicine than typical aspirin. Usually, a visit to a physical therapist or chiropractor, along with their own regimen of stretching, will revive the injured neck.

• Repetitive movements like jerking the neck 
• Constantly having poor posture while walking or sitting 
• Sleeping in an awkward position 
• Sitting at a desk while typing for extended periods

 

Chronic Neck Pain: If a person has been dealing with long-lasting neck pain from an injury or developmental defect then they will need to consult a doctor. Certain surgeries or medical treatments may be the only option for people to live pain-free.

What People Can Do for Neck Pain

 

If a person experiences neck pain in Palo Alto for longer than two days, then it is time to reach out to a specialist. Consulting a physical therapist would be a good first step for anyone experiencing acute neck pain. They can recommend to their patients a variety of treatments that can help them find relief from pain. Some of the more popular ways to relieve neck pain include:

Chiropractic therapy Heat therapy Exercising and stretching Medications Antibiotics are sometimes needed Neck Pain Can Be A Symptom Of Another Health Problem Chronic neck pain can also be a symptom of other underlying health problems including:
Osteoporosis Arthritis Fibromyalgia A herniated cervical disk

For a person is experiencing severe chronic back pain, they should talk with a doctor about any of these problems. These issues left untreated can put people at an even greater health risk than before.

Exercising with neck pain

Exercising with neck pain can be a bit of a challenge. Especially for those who suffer from chronic pain and experience heightened levels of discomfort when performing certain exercises. By performing the proper exercises, those with neck pain can efficiently stay fit and get their daily workouts in. In fact, some exercises may even help reduce the effects of neck pain and help control pain levels.

Stretches

Stiffness in the neck is a common cause of neck pain. Neck stretches will help loosen up the muscles in the neck and help relieve any stiffness. Neck stretches should be done every day and can be done multiple times throughout the day. Some stretches that are easy on the neck and will help improve flexibility include corner stretches, chin tuck and shoulder rolls.

Aerobics

Low impact aerobics can help increase the body’s blood flow, which will help relieve tension in the soft tissues of the neck. In addition to improving blood flow, 30 minutes of aerobic exercising can help increase the body’s level of endorphins. Endorphins will act as natural pain killers reducing the need to take medications. Some of the best aerobic exercises for those with neck pain include walking on a treadmill, riding a stationary bike or using an elliptical machine.

Yoga

Some yoga positions help reduce the pressure on the neck. However, it is important to be careful when practicing yoga, because some positions can put added stress on the neck and back. Yoga positions that do not involve headstands or putting pressure on the head or neck will help reduce tension and loosen up the muscles that are causing neck pain.

Breathing

Deep breathing exercises can help relieve neck tension and pain. Breathing in a shallow manner uses the muscles in the neck instead of those in the diaphragm. Sitting up straight and taking deep breaths using the diaphragm will help lessen the tension on the neck. Take time to sit down, relax and take 10 deep breaths at a time. Doing this multiple times throughout the day will help relieve some tension in the neck.

Those with chronic neck pain palo alto should speak with their area physician before starting any new exercise routine. The doctor will be able to advise if the exercises will help and if they are right for the patient’s condition.

4 Surprising Causes of Neck Pain and How to Avoid Them

Most people in the Palo Alto area will suffer from neck pain at some point during their lives. For many, neck pain occurs rather frequently and is often caused by bad habits/posture than any underlying medical condition. For those who are currently suffering from neck pain, there are some surprising causes that could apply. By simply avoiding these common causes of neck pain, one can alleviate discomfort and enjoy a pain-free life. Sleeping on the Wrong Pillow Believe it or not, the type of pillow one sleeps on can have a major impact on neck pain. Generally, the best types of pillows for neck support are memory foam and feather pillows. Anything else will likely not provide adequate support and will lead to neck pain. For those who go the feather pillow route, it's also important to replace with a new feather pillow about once a year.

Talking on the Phone Many people spend lots of time talking on the phone each day, whether it be for work or pleasure purposes. However, for those who have the bad habit of holding their phone between their ear and shoulder, Neck Pain Palo Alto could be an unwanted result. By investing in a headset instead, neck pain can be relieved and better overall posture can be enjoyed as well.

Not Drinking Enough Water Humans rely on the water-filled discs in the spine to help them avoid neck and back pain throughout the day. Unfortunately, when one doesn't drink enough water, these discs can easily become compressed and can cause serious neck and back problems. Therefore, making sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day is a must for those who want to prevent neck and back pain.

Poor Office Ergonomics Lat but not least, those who work in an office setting need to be especially careful about their posture so as to avoid neck and back pain throughout the work day. Specifically, using the right office chair and keeping computer screens at eye-level while working is a must for avoiding neck pain, as is taking breaks throughout the day.

Nobody enjoys living with neck pain, but on the bright side, it can be easily avoided by simply taking the time to follow these tips. From there, it's possible to live free from back and neck pain.

Typical Neck Pain Causes and Remedies

Most people experience neck pain from time to time without serious consequences. The pain and discomfort of neck strain, however, can interfere with daily tasks and make life uncomfortable, to say the least. By understanding the underlying causes of their neck pain, people can begin looking for solutions. In severe cases, individuals may need to consult a medical specialist for relief.

Neck Pain Causes

Various factors can trigger the pain and discomfort of neck muscle strains. Such factors include:

• Sitting in awkward positions for extended periods of time, such as hunching over a desk or steering wheel of a car
• Not distributing weight evenly when carrying heavy objects  
• Sleeping on pillows that are too high  
• Experiencing trauma to the neck area in an accident, such as whiplash, or sustaining neck injury from a fall

People suffering from neck strain may need to limit sudden head or neck movements until the healing process is done. Sometimes pain extends into the shoulders, further restricting a person’s movements.

Neck Pain Remedies

Individuals suffering from minor neck pain San Mateo may find that their condition improves on its own after a few days. In the interim period, people can often find pain relief through simple self-care remedies.   

For some people, applying cold packs to the area every 20 minutes or so helps to reduce swelling, if any, and minimizes pain. In like manner, applying heat to the area can get similar results. Many people find a hot shower or bath quite effective in reducing neck and shoulder pain. A heat wrap can also be used to stimulate healing results.

Over the counter pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs offer yet another option for reducing swelling and discomfort. Depending on the extent of a person’s problem, a mild massage may provide a healing touch to the area.  

Getting Medical Intervention

When symptoms are severe or last longer than several days, people should consider a visit to their physician to get expert diagnosis on their condition. It’s particularly important to consult a doctor if neck pain creeps into the arms or is accompanied by a tingling sensation or numbness. Neck pain related to a trauma such as a car accident or fall should be reported to a person’s local physician right away.

When in doubt, it’s always best to consult a physician concerning physical pain and discomfort to alleviate concerns of a more serious injury. 

A Focus on Chriopractic Therapy After Spinal Decompression Helps Speed Recovery

Patients who suffer from Neck Pain San Mateo simply want some relief. Simple and understandably enough, and professionals at alternative clinics and spinal centers want to help patients achieve this clear and reasonable goal. Of course, most patients feel substantially frustrated by the time they reach out for alternative treatments. Most traditional physicians frequently incorrectly diagnose neck pain and spinal pain, mixing one condition after the other, prescribing one medication after the next. At some point, patients begin to lose their patience; especially as the bills pile up and the pain and discomfort increase.

What Do Spinal Decompression Centers Do Differently? Progressive spinal therapy centers provide gentle and highly effective treatments for people suffering from chronic pain stemming from a spinal condition or injury. Most importantly, these centers focus on non-surgical treatments to help patients heal naturally while removing the need for extensive recovery time. Again, patients have usually had more than enough different medications by the time they reach a spinal decompression center, so these facilities try to avoid excessive use of medications too. While the medical professionals at these centers do their best to avoid both, they also know that here is a point at which patients need more invasive care and will let each patient know, based on the specific facts of their case and medical condition.

What Type of Chiropractic Therapy Is Available For Neck Pain Patients? Once patients go through the initial phases of their treatment, which include spinal decompression and deep tissue therapy, they can start working on putting their neck and spine back in proper alignment. Professional chiropractors will assess each patient's condition. Since the neck is highly susceptible to injury is that it sits atop the cervical spine and supports, via balance and strengthen, the brain and skull, which can easily weigh up to 12 pounds.

Additionally, the neck is responsible for turning the head around in various directions, and to varying degrees, creating even more risk of injury. The neck's very flexibility can make injury easy. Regardless of the cause of the injury, the professionals at the alternative spinal clinic will do their best to find out what is wrong and the best course of treatment to help speed up recovery. Chiropractors will start therapy by performing gentle neck and upper back manipulations to help return mobility and space for bones to move in their original space.

Main Causes of Neck Pain

Suffering through neck pain is never fun, but knowing what causes the ailment is the first step in prevention. Neck pain can caused by anything from an auto accident to a football hit to a medical condition like meningitis. 

Injury

Anyone who has been in a car, sports or biking accident and experienced whiplash is likely to be the victim of stiffness and neck pain. Moving one's head from side to side in a violent manner or having a jarring contact with another person or object is likely to result in debilitating pain. If involved in an accident, always be sure to reach out to a neck pain San Mateo for proper guidance.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that occurs in older age and is the result of damage to the joints. This type of arthritis makes it difficult to move the joints because of stiffness. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that is often hereditary. This disorder is known for causing sever pain in the joints and can result in difficulty moving and walking. It often results in pain in the upper half of the neck.

Pinched Nerve

The causes of a pinched nerve can range from arthritis to a herniated disk to a sports related injury. Because it can be the result of many different conditions, it is important that a pinched nerve be examined by a specialist. Pinched nerves can result in neck stiffness that can be felt all the way down to a person's arms and legs.

Fibromyalgia

Although rare, fibromyalgia is a condition that is connected with achy muscles and joints. If the muscles contract inwards, it can result in a stiff neck that is painful an difficult to turn from side to side. Luckily, people who suffer from fibromyalgia are able to control it through everything from lifestyle changes to stress management to prescription medications.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that is between the brain and spinal cord. Contracting meningitis is a serious and life threatening infection that needs to be treated by a doctor immediately. Suffering from a stiff neck, fever and headache are all symptoms of meningitis. 

Complications From Chronic Neck Pain

Chronic pain seems to be an epidemic throughout the world. Studies show that nearly 1.5 billion people around the world suffer from chronic pain. Of those pain suffers, about 100 million are Americans. Chronic pain is pain that persists without going away. Chronic pain generally lasts for months or even years. One type of pain that seems to be really common among individuals coping with chronic pain is neck pain. Neck pain in San Mateo can result from an injury or from someone placing strain on their body. It can also develop as a result of another painful condition that exists in a person’s spine.

When to Get Treatment for Neck Pain Having full control over one’s neck is central to having a good quality of life. Without the ability to turn one’s head from side to side because of pain, many people find staying at home a better option. Getting rest is a great way to ensure people with Neck Pain San Mateo recover, but when people significantly reduce their activity levels because they are in pain, then they need to seek medical attention.

Neck Pain Complications Even after adjusting their lifestyle, many people still fail to get the medical attention they need to alleviate their pain. Unfortunately, this can lead to complications, particularly, cervical spondylolysis. Cervical spondylolysis is the medical term used to describe worn discs in a person’s spinal cord. Many people experience this condition as a result of aging. Most of the time, it’s referred to as spurs on the spine. People who develop the condition could ultimately suffer from pinched nerve endings, which can lead to challenges walking, weak arms and legs, and numbness in a person’s arms or legs.

It is always prudent for anyone suffering from chronic neck pain to visit their medical professional. Doctors have the ability to prescribe pain medications and therapeutic treatment options that help neck pain suffers cope with the pain. Conversely, if a person fails to get the treatment they need, it could make matters worse by increasing their chances of developing cervical spondylolysis. Allowing neck pain to persist jeopardizes one’s quality of life; therefore, getting treatment is the best option for many.