The neck or the cervical spine is a coordinated network consisting of nerves, bones, joints, and muscles. It does the essential task of providing mobility and support to your head. But sometimes, it may get painful. Many individuals may be experiencing occasional neck pain or stiffness. In many cases, it may be because of poor posture or overuse. 

Causes Of Chronic Neck Pain

There may be several reasons for the occurrence of chronic neck pain. Some of the potential causes are as follows:

  • Cervical Spondylosis – Cervical spondylosis is a term that is used for spinal degeneration. The degenerative process can make the disc more painful and may lead to compression of the nearby nerves. 
  • Cervical Osteoarthritis – When a facet joint’s protective cartilage starts to wear away, the bones start grinding against each other. The joint may thus lead to bone spurs which may get inflamed or painful. 
  • Traumatic Injury – In case of excessive force from a collision or fall, the discs, joints, ligaments, or muscles may get damaged. Some common examples are auto collision, sports collision or fall, slipping on a wet floor, falling from a certain height, i.e., steps or a ladder, etc. It is seen that when the neck pain heals down after an acute injury, the pain sometimes persists and thus becomes chronic. 
  • Poor Posture – The cervical spine is neutral when your ears are directly over your shoulders. When your head starts drifting forward, such as sitting at a desk and working with a computer or looking at your phone or a tablet, it puts additional stress on your cervical spine, discs, and muscles. Poor posture and lack of activity are consistently correlated with chronic neck pain.

Some other uncommon causes of neck pain may include the following:

  • Fibromyalgia – It isn’t easy to diagnose. It typically includes widespread pain, fatigue, and tenderness. The tender points associated with fibromyalgia are usually found in the upper back and the neck. 
  • Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome – It leads to achy muscles and connective tissues. It usually forms trigger points in the neck. If the trigger points are touched, they can flare up and lead to pain in the neck or the upper back. 
  • Spondylolisthesis – It is a condition that happens when a vertebra slips over the other vertebra that is present beneath it. It is usually caused by a vertebral fracture, ligament laxity, or degenerative discs. 

Treatment Of Neck Pain 

When you approach a doctor to treat your neck pain, the doctor would first perform various medical exams and ask you about your complete medical history. You must be prepared to tell your doctor about your entire medical history. It would help if you also let them know about the medicines you may be taking currently to reduce the pain or other reasons. 

The treatment of your chronic neck pain entirely depends upon the diagnosis. Even after physical examination by the doctor and also after knowing about your medical history, the doctor would most probably ask you to perform some of the tests such as:

  • Blood Tests
  • X-rays
  • CT Scan
  • MRI Scan
  • Electromyography, etc. 

The treatment of chronic neck pain may include the following:

  • Medications – Your doctor might prescribe you a stronger pain relief medicine to provide you initial or temporary relief from chronic neck pain and prescribe muscle relaxants and tricyclic antidepressants for pain relief. 
  • Physical Therapy – After the initial treatment, your doctor may also refer you to a physical therapist. A certified physical therapist would help you teach correct posture, alignment, and neck-strengthening exercises. The therapist may also use specific techniques such as heat or ice therapy, electrical stimulation and also use other measures for helping you to get relief from pain and prevent it from occurring again.
  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation – The electrodes placed on your skin near the areas of pain can deliver tiny electrical impulses that may help provide relief from the pain. 
  • Traction – Traction uses weights, pulleys, or an air bladder for gently stretching your neck. When the therapy is given under the supervision of a therapist or a medical professional, it provides some amount of relief to your chronic neck pain, especially if the pain is related to nerve root irritation. 
  • Short Term Immobilization – It refers to a soft collar that supports your neck and may also be very effective for relieving the pain temporarily. It takes away the pressure from your neck. However, if the collar is used for long hours at a stretch, it may do more harm than good. 
  • Acupuncture – Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into various points in your body. Studies have shown that acupuncture can be beneficial for multiple types of pain in the human body, including chronic pain in your neck. For better results, you may need to undergo several sessions of acupuncture. It is usually considered a safe procedure.