Neck Pain: Pinched Nerve is One of the Many Reasons

1. Neck Pain: Pinched Nerve is One of the Many Reasons Neck Pain Recently, neck pain has become a lifestyle illness, which is affecting every other individual. Our neck is made up of several vertebrae which extend from the skull to the upper torsal region. The neck is supported on various muscles, ligaments and bones, which allow our head to move effectively. Neck pain is medically referred to as cervical pain. It usually occurs due to certain abnormalities, injury or inflammation in the neck. This may occur due to poor posture or excessive movement of the neck. Mostly, neck pain may not signify a serious medical condition and even may go away within a few days on its own. But there are cases when the neck pain may occur due to a serious injury or illness which requires a doctor’s care. In this section, we will try to summarize some common causes and symptoms of neck pain and ways to manage them effectively for a quick reference for our readers. Why Does Neck Pain Occur? A neck pain may occur due to several medical conditions which may significantly vary from person to person. These may include such as: • Degenerative disc disease • Neck strain • Neck injury • Herniated disc • Pinched nerve • Certain viral infections • Rare infections such as tuberculosis, osteomyelitis and septic discitis

2. • An uncomfortable neck position Symptoms of Neck Pain You may sometimes experience a dull aching type of pain in your neck. The pain may severely increase when you move your head left-right or up-down. Some common symptoms which are experienced by most patients include: • Numbness • Tingling • Tenderness • Sharp shooting pain like a gunfire • Difficulty swallowing • Pulsations • Dizziness or lightheadedness • Swelling of a lymph node in your neck Some people may experience neck pain along with a headache, shoulder pain, facial pain, tingling or numbness in their arms. These are typical symptoms of a condition called pinched nerve, which may occur when a nerve in the neck region gets compressed. How do I treat my neck pain? Your neck pain will make you suffer day-by-day, but you may not know how to manage it. The best way to cure your neck pain depends on its exact cause. You should consult a doctor or a healthcare professional experienced to treat neck disorders in order to identify the exact cause of your neck pain. Your doctor may ask questions about your specific symptoms such as how do you feel with the neck pain, what is its intensity and if you had undergone a serious injury or accident which might have affected your neck in the past. Keep in mind to inform your doctor about each and every medication or over-the-counter drugs and supplements

3. you may be consuming. Your doctor may recommend certain tests or imaging studies to understand what’s going on that’s causing the problem in your neck. Depending on the diagnosis, your doctor will recommend a combination of treatment methods, which may include such as: • Ice and heat therapy • Exercises • Stretching of neck, arm and shoulder muscles • Certain physical therapies • Pain medication • Corticosteroid injections • Muscle relaxants • A neck collar • Traction therapy • Antibiotics, if your neck pain is due to an infection • Hospital treatment, if a neck pain has occurred due to meningitis or heart attack • Surgery might be required in rare cases