Table of contents:
- Causes of neck pain due to tension or sprains
- 1. The wrong position while sleeping
- 2. Injury
- 3. Bad posture
- 4. Repetitive movements
- Causes of neck pain due to diseases of the nape
- 1. Nape disc degeneration
- 2. Neck disc herniation
- 3. Neck spondylosis
- 4. Spinal stenosis of the neck
Neck pain is a common condition. The pain can make you feel uncomfortable and keep moving your head and shoulders. You may want to know the most basic causes of neck pain so that you can find a solution.
Causes of neck pain due to tension or sprains
Sprains and strains are the most common causes of neck pain. This type of neck pain can go away on its own without treatment in a few days or a few weeks. Sprains and strains can have several causes.
1. The wrong position while sleeping
It is normal for you to wake up and feel pain and stiffness in your neck. This may be because you slept in an abnormal and bad position for the entire night. Pillows and a well-supported bed can help in this situation.
2. Injury
You can experience neck pain because you move your neck suddenly or in an unusual way in sports or as a result of an accident. In a sports injury, the nerves in the neck may be affected causing pain, numbness and weakness in the neck, arms, and shoulders. In an accident, your neck may bend suddenly forward, back, or sideways. The head may be stretched excessively, causing damage to the ligaments and tendons. Pain, pressure, stiffness and reduced movement in the neck may occur.
3. Bad posture
Poor posture can cause neck pain. You can have bad posture at work or at home. When you change your center of gravity and tilt your head forward, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your neck have to work harder to grip your head.
Some of the bad postures include looking at the computer, looking down to text on a cell phone, watching TV, reading a book, or driving. If you continue to do this action for a long time, your neck may become sore.
4. Repetitive movements
Some repetitive movements in the neck such as dancing and swimming can lead to overuse of the muscles and other soft tissues in the neck.
Causes of neck pain due to diseases of the nape
Neck pain can come from certain nape diseases, such as degeneration or herniation. This problem can cause chronic neck pain.
1. Nape disc degeneration
As a result of the aging process, your spinal disk becomes dehydrated and the cushion it exerts on the spine decreases. As a result, the bones become able to rub against each other, so that nearby nerves can become irritated, the disc herniates, and arthritis can develop.
2. Neck disc herniation
When the soft inner portion of the spinal disk emerges to the outer rigid outer part through a tear in the outside, this can put pressure on the nerve, or the inflammatory protein can irritate the nerve. The disk in the nape area is not large, and there is too much space for the nerves. Thus, even a small disc herniation can cause a pinched nerve.
3. Neck spondylosis
Neck spondylosis, also called cervical osteoarthritis, is a condition in which the cartilage in the facet joints has worn down. One bone becomes able to rub against each other. Inflammation can enlarge joints and irritate nerves.
4. Spinal stenosis of the neck
Neck stenosis can occur when the spinal canal narrows. The cause of this condition can be a herniated disk or bone spur. As a result, the nerves in the bone canal can be affected. Pain can appear in the neck, radiating down the arms, hands and fingers.
Your neck pain may come from everyday activities such as poor posture while texting on your cell phone, injury while exercising, or from certain nape diseases such as disc degeneration or disc herniation. Your doctor can help determine what is the exact cause of your neck pain and treat the source of the pain.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
