10 Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain has become an everyday concern for people of all age groups. Neck pain persists on a large scale due to long work hours, constant screen time, and lifestyle changes. Understanding the causes of neck pain is very necessary because occasional stiffness can also lead to some serious issues.

You should get neck pain treatment in Bangalore from specialised clinics if the pain persists. Here are the top 10 causes of neck pain.

1. Poor Posture

Neck​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ muscles gets strained due to slouching over a laptop, looking down at a phone for a long time, or hunching while reading. Such a “forward head posture” makes the cervical spine bear more load than usual, making it stiff and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌painful.

2. Muscle Strain

Muscle​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ strains are sometimes caused by simple everyday actions. For example, if you sleep in an awkward position, carry a heavy bag on one shoulder, or make a sudden jerky movement, your neck muscles can be overstretched, and you may experience pain that lasts for several ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌days.

3. Stress and Anxiety

The head and shoulders are the most sensitive parts of the body and they respond very quickly to emotional stress. When the whole body is in a state of tension, the muscles that are situated near the neck become tight. Prolonged tightening of this muscle may cause tension headaches and even chronic neck ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌pain.

4. Cervical Spondylosis

The natural ageing process causes the spinal discs to wear out. Gradually, the discs that separate the vertebrae lose their elasticity, which is called cervical spondylosis. It can lead to chronic neck stiffness, limited movement, and nerve irritation.

5. Injuries and Whiplash

If a sudden impact occurs due to a road accident or a sports injury, it can cause whiplash, which is a condition where the head is thrown backwards and forward rapidly. The soft tissues around the neck get damaged, causing acute pain, low mobility, and swelling.

6. Herniated Cervical Disc

Sometimes, the gel-like part of the spinal disc comes out to the outer layer through a rip. In this case, the cervical spine will put pressure on the nearby nerves, causing pain along with numbness.

7. Long Hours at the Desk

Sitting for long hours without proper breaks can affect blood flow and strain the neck muscles. Arrangement of workstations also plays a key role in avoiding neck pain, because poor screen height or rigid chairs can worsen the pain over time. Just a slight neck pain can develop into chronic neck discomfort if not taken care of properly.

8. Arthritis

Osteoarthritis causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints of the neck. The pain gets stronger in the morning or after periods of inactivity. Some people also hear grinding sounds during neck movement.

9. Nerve Compression

Impingement of nerves that come from the spinal cord can occur due to bone spurs, herniated discs, or spinal canal narrowing. In this case, along with neck pain, there may be weakness, numbness, and shooting pain travelling down the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌arm.

10. Underlying Health Conditions

Neck​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ pain can also result from infections, autoimmune disorders, and also from extremely rare cases, meningitis or tumours. These, as situations, are less frequent, but still, they call for immediate medical intervention if accompanied by fever, vomiting, or severe stiffness.

Final thought

Knowing the real reason behind neck pain is undoubtedly the first step of wise management. Changes in lifestyle, using correct ergonomics, and undertaking gentle stretches usually help in pain alleviation. However, if the pain persists or becomes so severe that it hampers your daily routine, it’s best to consult specialised clinics like Alleviate Pain Clinic to get the right treatment.