3 Simple Causes of Neck Pain

So many people work in offices, however not many people maintain their posture while sitting at their desk. Neck pain is one the most common complaints. Neck pain can be caused by a ton of problems, from problems with posture to diseases. It is not a problem that you should neglect, so if you are experiencing neck pain visit a specialist. In this article, we want to introduce the most common causes of neck pain.

1. Neck Strain
This happens when the neck muscles stretch too far and tear. This kind of pain can last days, or weeks, and it can be different (location, kind of pain, etc). Mostly, this kind of trauma is not very hazardous to health, because you can get rid of the pain without a doctor’s help. People often have a bad posture combined with excessive flexion and extension that cause traumas. If you think that you have a sprain/ strain, you should contact a neck pain doctor. A doctor will make a visual examination, and several tests, that include an x-ray scan, an MRI test, and some extended tests if your case needs them. Symptoms of neck sprain include:
- Neck pain
- Spasms in the muscles
- Headaches
- Numbness
- Weakness in one arm
- Shoulders or top back pain
- Etc

2. Nerve compression
Nerve compression or pinched nerves is also a common problem. It occurs when a nerve is compressed or is irritated. It commonly causes pain. Nerve compression can be caused by monotonous actions for a long time or occurs when you keep your body in one position for long periods.

Nerve compression is a more common problem among people who are older than 50. As we age our spine is degenerating, and it causes disk shortness, causing vertebrae tto press and irritate nerves. According to my.clevelandclinic.org, about 85 of 100,000 adults in the United States have a pinched nerve every year. A pinched nerve can be treated in various ways such as immobilization, exercises, medication, and of course surgical methods. Usually, people who have a pinched nerve ask for help very fast because it causes pain and discomfort. Doctors make a diagnosis after several tests: an x-ray, CT scan, MRI, and EMG. If you think that you have nerve compression, symptoms include:
- Reduced neck’s range of motion
- Pain in the neck
- Numbness
- Feeling pins and needles
- Burning sensation
- Etc

3. Neck meningitis
We normally do not think about how our neck helps us move the head. We only think about it when we have a painful injury, a reduced range of motions, etc. Meningitis is a serious infection that means that meninges (membranes that protect your brain and spinal cord) are infected. Firstly you may think that it is a common flu, but in addition to flu symptoms, you will also have neck stiffness. Exactly this combination of 2 symptoms shows that a person has neck meningitis.

There are different types of meningitis, but the most common are bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis. When someone has bacterial meningitis, it is life-threatening. With bacterial meningitis, if you do not get help in a few hours after the initial symptoms, it may result in a permanent disability or even death. During your appointment, a doctor will make a visual examination, CT scan, MRI, also you will get a blood test and spinal tap. If you think that you have neck meningitis, you should ask for professional medical help.Here are symptoms of neck meningitis:
- Severe neck pain
- Stiffness in the neck
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Skin rash
- No appetite
- Etc

The bottom line
All in all, if you have neck pain, you should contact a doctor and make an appointment. Neck pain may negatively affect your life, so this pain can not be ignored. Keep track of your overall health and have an annual physical examination.